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Hugs from Carolina

 

Launch Date: October 14, 2005

The Hugs Around The World Campaign was designed to spread love and compassion to people through the use of puppets and music.  Olivia The Octopus, Auntie Karen’s signature character, is used to bring joy to children and adults especially in South Carolina, South America and Africa. Hugs From Carolina, a division of The Hugs Around The World, was conceived after witnessing the devastation of Hurricane Katrina.

 

Hugs From Carolina Campaign Kickoff

On September 3, 2005, a few days after Hurricane Katrina, Christ Central Ministries and City Light, partners in compassion care, arrived in Biloxi, Mississippi. Their immediate presence brought support to the community through relief efforts such as:  cleaning churches and homes, creating Kids Kamp, creating medical relief and providing food. Soon, Auntie Karen joined the team as the inspiration behind The Hugs Campaign.  Auntie Karen’s Olivia The Octopus character became the symbol of hope.  This character travels the world spreading love through hugs. Recent adventures include: Kids Kamp, a ministry to children, Brazil, Venezeula and Africa.  Her efforts helped convince The City of Columbia, SC to adopt The City of Biloxi.  Olivia’s hand puppets are a central part of the campaign. 

 

A proclamation from Mayor Bob Coble, City of Columbia, SC was presented to the citizens of Biloxi, Mississippi.  This event featured Dr. Tony Evans of The Urban Alternative and Oak Cliff Bible Fellowship, Dallas, Texas.

 

History:

City Light Coalition, Inc. was formed in 1996 to bring denominations and races together in unity for the purpose of lifting up Christ in the city.  The event that jumpstarted this 501 C (3) organization was the three day Tony Evans Crusade held at Williams-Brice Stadium, University of South Carolina, May 18-20, 1997. This historical event was unprecedented in several ways:

v      For the first time in the South an African American minister preached to a mixed racial audience of 80,000 people.  (attendees 60% White, 40%African American)

v      For the first time various Churches and Denominations came together in unity to support The Tony Evans Crusade.

v      Other ministries were birthed out of the crusade.  One success story  is Christ Central Ministries. This international poverty ministry has built a Christian college in  Wagener, SC and were among the first to respond to the Katrina survivors in Biloxi, Mississippi.

 

Out of the The Tony Evans Crusade a racial reconciliation process began and is ongoing today.

 

City Light continues to exist as a partner for good to address the needs of The City of Columbia, SC. Programs include:  Promise Keepers (45,000 attendees); Easter 2000 (35,000 attendees); The annual SC Call To Care Conference; Kids Kamp and The Esther Project.  Our latest effort is Hugs From Carolina: Hurricane Katrina Relief, Biloxi, Mississippi.

 

For more information visit:  www.citylight.org

 


Hugs From Carolina Partners


City Light Coalition, Inc.

City Light Coalition, Inc. is a 501 C (3) not for profit organization

that promotes unity among churches, businesses, and government for

compassionate care in the community.

www.citylight.org

Gladys Grimaud, Executive Director (803) 518-1259

 

Auntie Karen Inc.

Educational Entertainment Company

Owners: Karen Alexander, Byron Counts, Norma Jackson

www.auntiekareninc.com

 

Auntie Karen Foundation

The Auntie Karen Foundation, a South Carolina based 501 C (3) global charity, creates and implements community outreach programs designed to empower, enlighten and educate through the arts.

www.auntiekaren.org

 

Christ Central Institute

Christ Central Institute in Wagener, South Carolina, is a free tuition

College that teaches respect for all denominations and shows how to

help the poor.

www.ccins.org


 

 

Bresee Institute of Metro Ministries

Ecumenical Center

First Church of The Nazarene, Columbia, SC

Good News Global Outreach

AIS (Helping International Students)

WMHK Christian Radio

Mission Columbia

Triumphant Praises

Life Giving Outreach Ministries

The Urban Alternative

Christ Central Institute

Auntie Karen

Western Oaks Church of The Nazarene, Oklahoma, City, Oklahoma

Cross Style International Ministries

Interdenominational Ministerial Alliance of Greater Columbia

WFMV Christian Radio

Right Direction Christian Radio

The Latter Rain Deliverance Evangelistic Center, Inc.

St. Andrews Evangelical Church

Bell Ministries

Bethel, AME

Chapin Furniture

Precision Tune Auto Care

JA White & Associates

Rent All of Chapin

For Your Insurance

Alotte Cosmetics of SC

Dr. Buddy Witherspoon

Symbol Mattress

City of Columbia, SC

 

To become a Hugs Partner contact:

Gladys Grimaud @ 803-518-1259 or email @ ggrimaud@sc.rr.com.

 

Donations to Hugs From Carolina:

City Light – Hugs From Carolina

PO Box 8642

Columbia, SC  29202

 

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