The Charleston County Park and Recreation Commission formed the Foundation in 1990 to help generate funding for the continued growth and development of the county park system and to support leisure opportunities for Charleston County residents using non-tax dollars. Sadly, in May of 2014, a 13-year-old named Genesis Holmes drowned in a pond near Hollywood, SC. After learning about the tragic accident, the Foundation, family members and community leaders became determined to prevent this kind of drowning from ever happening again. At that time, the Foundation transitioned into more of a project-based organization focused on specific needs within the local community. One of these projects is named The Genesis Project in honor of Genesis Holmes, with a primary focus to raise money to support swim safety and aquatic programs in the outlying areas of Charleston like Hollywood. The Genesis Project provides children with a skill that will translate into a lifelong love for water, and will most certainly impact generations to come.