SEGMENT #1: Hoofprints in the Sand
GUEST: Sarah Lustig, CEO & Founder
ISSUE: Veterans/Health & Human Services
Every three days a South Carolina Veteran commits suicide. PTSD is a major source of this tragedy. Hoofprints in the Sand is a non-profit organization that uses equine therapy to assist those with PTSD and traumatic brain injuries. Sarah Lustig is the CEO & Founder of Hoofprints in the Sand and provided background on the services the organization offers and how they use horses in treatment. Ann O’Brien, a counsel with Hoofprints share the ways that clients respond to this unique treatment. The organization is hosting their annual “Denim & Diamonds” fundraising gala on Saturday, March 15 to raise needed funds to assist in their mission. The pair gave specifics on the event and how tickets can be purchased.
________________________________________________
SEGMENT #2: Summerville Family YMCA
GUEST: Joe Debney, Executive Director
ISSUE: Community Service
Summerville is one of the fastest growing areas in the Lowcountry and the Summerville Family YMCA is working to stay ahead of that growth. Joe Debney is the Executive Director of the YMCA and spoke of how he was first a member and volunteer with the organization before becoming Executive Director. Debney detailed the many programs the YMCA offers, beyond just exercise and physical fitness, and showcased how the nonprofit has immersed itself in the community. The Executive Director highlighted two specific programs that he believes people aren’t aware of. And Debney provided specifics on two upcoming fundraising events, the March 15 Shamrock Shuffle, and the YMCA’s biggest fundraising event, the annual Flowertown Festival, April 4-6.
SEGMENT #1: Dorchester Paws
GUEST: Preston Hayden, Director of Marketing and Development
ISSUE: Pets/Animal Control
Formerly known as the Francis R. Willis SPCA, Dorchester Paws has been serving the Lowcountry for 51 years, all of it in the same Summerville building. In 2025, the non-profit hopes to break ground on a new facility. Preston Hayden, the organization’s Director of Marketing and Development explained Dorchester Paws need for the new shelter and the capitol campaign that started during the holiday season to raise money to fund it. Hayden shared the shelters commitment to being a No Kill facility and the challenges that has created. He also discussed the organization’s other needs including fostering animals and volunteering and their next major fundraising event, an oyster roast on Feb. 1.
________________________________________________
SEGMENT #2: James Island Outreach
GUEST: Jeff Gordon, Executive Director
ISSUE: Community Service
Helping Neighbors, Uniting Community is the motto of James Island Outreach, a non-profit formed in 1989 following Hurricane Hugo. Jeff Gordon, the executive director of the organization, explained the main service they provide is a food pantry, open multiple days each week. James Island Outreach does provide other services, including their newest addition, assisting with home roofing repairs, which is also their biggest current need, looking for funding and expertise. Golden spoke about being one of the few non-profits operating on James Island and the Outreach’s connection with 27 local churches. He also provided information on their other needs and shared that the Outreach serves more than just residents of James Island.
https://soundcloud.com/charleston-radio-group/lowcountry-forever-dorchester-paws-james-island-outreach-jan-26-2025
SEGMENT #1: Salvation Army
GUEST: Captain Joshua Davis
ISSUE: Community Service
Each holiday season, the Salvation Army conduct its annual “Kettle Campaign,” which is the non-profit organization’s largest fund raiser of the year. Captain Joshua Davis, head of the Salvation Army in the Tri-County area, provided all the details on the campaign kick-off event on Saturday, Nov. 16. Captain Davis also discussed the challenges of the Kettle Campaign including finding people to man each kettle and shared information on how individuals, and even business and groups can volunteer to ring. In 2023, more than 5800 individuals received assistance from the Salvation Army. Captain Davis explained the various ways the Salvation Army helps, and the other programs they’ll provide this holiday season.
________________________________________________
SEGMENT #2: Sullivan’s Island Police Department
GUEST: Police Chief Glenn Meadows
ISSUE: Policing
Each holiday season, the Sullivan’s Island Police Department reaches out to the community through a Bike for Kids drive, attempting to collect more than 300 new bicycles to donate to children in need through Toys for Tots. Sullivan’s Island Chief of Police Glenn Meadows explained the connection the drive helps make with citizens on the Island and how donations will be accepted. Meadows also discussed some of the other outreach events the department conducts including Coffee with the Chief and House Watch. The Chief shared the biggest challenges for his small department and his implementation of the department’s first official Mission Statement and Core Values.
https://soundcloud.com/charleston-radio-group/lowcountry-forever-salvation-army-sullivans-island-police-dept-nov-10-2024
SEGMENT #1: Treats For Our Troops
GUEST: Suzi Kopp, Coordinator
ISSUE: Community Service
After October 3, candy piles up in many Lowcountry households. Eight years ago, Suzy Kopp teamed up with Guardian Angels to collect that candy for a good cause. Today, that continues through “Treats For Our Troops.” Originally the program collected leftover Halloween candy which was then delivered to our troops overseas. Now, the program has changed to a local focus, delivering to area military members and first responders. Kopp explained why the adjustment was made and how donations will be accepted for this year’s campaign. She also shared the involvement of Sullivan’s Island Elementary and groups receiving the candy.
________________________________________________
SEGMENT #2: Lowvelo
GUEST: Chris Winn, Event Manager
ISSUE: Health & Human Services
Lowvelo is the annual bike ride that takes place in the Lowcountry on the first Saturday of November, to benefit the MUSC Hollings Cancer Center. Chris Winn, the Lowvelo event manager, provided the details on this year’s Nov. 2 ride, which includes 5 different length rides. He explained how people can enter to participate in the rides or take part on a stationary bike at the ride’s finish, or even virtually. Winn discussed the community partnerships the ride has developed, and the additional ways the event impacts the community. Plus, he shared how 100% of money raised by participants goes directly to funding cancer research and where those proceeds have made a positive impact.
https://soundcloud.com/charleston-radio-group/lowcountry-forever-10-27-2024-treat-for-our-troops-lowvelo?si=883d6f77edd9483c9d896073976d1676&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing
SEGMENT #1: CARTA
GUEST: Mike Seekings, Board of Directors Chairman
ISSUE: Transportation
With the holiday weekend, CARTA starts its “Beach Reach Shuttle,” providing free rides to the beach from Mount Pleasant Towne Centre to the Isle of Palms. Mike Seekings, the CARTA Board of Directors Chairman talked about how the route came about, the partnership that made it happen and how people can take advantage of this free route. The Chairman also discussed other CARTA programs including Park n’ Ride and CARTA On Demand, for those 55 and older. Seekings also talked about the upgrades CARTA has made over the past 15 years, how the organization is moving toward the future with an App, attempting to attract younger riders and the Lowcountry Rapid Transit project being currently developed.
________________________________________________
SEGMENT #2: South Carolina State Election Commission
GUEST: Syndi Bain, Voter Education/Outreach Coordinator
ISSUE: Voting
Tuesday, June 11 is Primary Election Day in South Carolina. The Voter Education Outreach Coordinator for the South Carolina State Election Commission, Syndi Bain explained what this primary is for, and how it differs from the Presidential Primaries that took place back in February. Bain discussed the early voting period that is the two weeks prior to the primary, and talked about where and when people could vote. Additionally, she explained what individuals need to bring to the polls to vote. Bain also shared voter registration information, including the deadline for the November election and the website to learn about voting in South Carolina.
https://soundcloud.com/charleston-radio-group/lowcountry-forever-carta-south-carolina-state-election-commission-june-2-2024?si=a83e385fb44741b287be19b964174b5f&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing
