The Beach Company celebrates 70th anniversary by supporting Memminger Elementary reading programs
February 8, 2016
The Beach Company has partnered with Memminger Elementary School in Charleston, to promote literacy by providing mentorship to students, donating books to the school library and building a special “book nook” in the school atrium where students can retreat to read.
The Beach Company, a long-time supporter of the philanthropic community in Charleston, sought to commemorate its 70th anniversary by working to build a better tomorrow, starting with Charleston students. “We are looking forward to fostering a long-term relationship with our neighbors at Memminger Elementary. With our offices so close to the school, it gives us the opportunity to build lasting bonds with the students that will encourage life-long reading,” said John Darby, president and CEO of The Beach Company. Part of the company’s mission is to support organizations aligned with promoting citizenship, youth and education, arts and culture and community philanthropy in Charleston. The Beach Company worked to meet its mission by distributing a survey to employees to see what kind of service they would like to provide in their 70th year of business. Employees overwhelmingly voted to support Memminger.
The partnership with Memminger involves three methods of support: First, The Beach Company employees are trained to mentor a student once a week on reading. To date, more than 15 employees have been certified to work with kindergarten or first-grade students. Year-round, The Beach Company will provide books for Memminger’s media center based on books the school is in need of. Employees and The Beach Company partners will donate all types of books, but a particular focus will be on books both the media center can utilize and students can bring home to read themselves. Book donation boxes are available to the public and located at all Beach Company offices, including the City Marina offices, Gulf Stream Construction and Better Homes & Gardens offices. Lastly, Memminger’s atrium will include a “book nook” constructed by The Beach Company that will allow students to read in comfort. The project will commemorate the partnership between The Beach Company and Memminger, and students will help create the design and stay updated on the project’s progress.
Erin Russell, Memminger’s art educator, will help The Beach Company work with the school’s top readers and art club to come up with a design for the nook every student will love. “I want to thank The Beach Company for giving the Memminger Art Club the opportunity to help with the process of designing and creating a comfortable and inviting space for our students to experience the joy of getting lost in a book,” said Russell. “We look forward to this exciting collaboration!”
The Beach Company and its employees are dedicated to providing Memminger with the mentorship and resources needed for students to strengthen and nurture their reading ability. From providing books to time and even a place for students to read at school, The Beach Company will see its legacy extend to the students of Charleston.
Editor’s Note: Click here for Reading Partners photos.
To learn more about the Reading Partners Program, visit readingpartners.org.
About The Beach Company
Founded in 1945, The Beach Company has been a leader in residential and commercial real estate brokerage, development and property management for 70 years. Led by CEO John Darby, The Beach Company upholds a tradition of establishing landmark properties and communities by evaluating each development opportunity for its potential to improve the quality of life for our neighbors, and contribute to the long-term economic vitality of the Charleston Lowcountry and the Southeast region.
