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.
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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: Big Brothers Big Sisters
GUEST: Grace Hamilton, Development Director
ISSUE: Youth Issues/Mentoring
For more than 100 years, Big Brothers Big Sisters has operated under the belief that inherent in every child is the ability to succeed and thrive in life. In this area, the organization serves more than 350 children between 7 and 18 years old. Grace Hamilton, the nonprofit’s Development Director shared stories of those children and how being mentored is assisting them, and also the adults who work with them. Hamilton explained how both “littles” (children) and “bigs” (adults) become involved with the organization. The Lowcountry BIG Boil is their largest fundraising event of the year, and Hamilton provided details on the December 7th happening and how individuals could purchase tickets.
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SEGMENT #2: Towns 4 Troops
GUEST: Rick Walls
ISSUE: Active Duty Military/Veteran Issues
Towns 4 Troops SE is a non-profit organization which provides support to active duty military members and Veterans in the Lowcountry region. Rick Walls is the local leader of Towns 4 Troops and explained the group’s mission, as well as providing examples of programs and events they sponsor. Walls talked about how he became associated with the organization and why he started a chapter in the Charleston area. For the holiday season, Towns 4 Troops is executing a “Santa For Soldiers” drive, Walls shared details on the drive and explained how people could assist with the drive, plus how the collected stockings are distributed.
https://soundcloud.com/charleston-radio-group/lowcountry-forever-big-brothers-big-sisters-towns-4-troops-dec-1-2024
SEGMENT #1: Folds of Honor
GUEST: Eric Timko, Vice President, Board of Directors
ISSUE: Veterans Affairs
Folds of Honor is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization that provides educational scholarships to the spouses and children of military members who have fallen or been disabled while serving in the United States Armed Forces. Sunday, Nov. 10, the 3rd annual Palmetto Freedom Fest will take place, put on by the Palmetto State Folds of Honor. Board Vice President Eric Timko explained the history of this event, the concert this year and how people could get tickets. Timko spoke of the partnership that Folds or Honor has created with the community and how the money raised from this concert impact families, and how those funds would stay in South Carolina. Along with military members, Folds of Honor has expanded to assist First Responder families, which Timko discussed.
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SEGMENT #2: BarBrewGrass
GUEST: Suzanne Auld, Founder and Director
ISSUE: Children’s Health
After her child was diagnosed with leukemia, Suzanna Auld discovered the challenges, beyond medical issues, that families experience when a son or daughter is hospitalized. BarBrewGrass is a nonprofit she formed to help families with a child being treated at the MUSC Shawn Jenkins Children’s Hospital. BarBrewGrass is an annual event, this year taking place at Firefly Distillery in North Charleston. Along with sharing her experience with the hospital, Auld provided the details on this year’s BarBrewGrass event and laid out how the money raised would be used to impact families in need at the Children’s Hospital.
https://soundcloud.com/charleston-radio-group/lowcountry-forever-folds-of-honor-barbrewgrass-nov-3-2024?si=452e006ecd0e4a859b207ed5ba1a3c9c&utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing
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.
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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: Downs Syndrome Association of the Lowcountry
GUEST: Erica Chiovarou, President
ISSUE: Special Needs
Each October, the Lowcountry Buddy Walk happens on Daniel Island to bring awareness of Downs Syndrome. What is Downs Syndrome and how does it affect individuals and families dealing with it? Answers to those questions are provided by Erica Chiovarou, the President of the Downs Syndrome Association of the Lowcountry, and the organizer of the Lowcountry Buddy Walk. Chiovarou provided information on the Oct. 20 event and discussed the importance of the event, as both those with Downs Syndrome and their families are rarely among others dealing with it. She spoke of the purpose of the event, and how funds raised will help.
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SEGMENT #2: Dorchester Heritage Center
GUEST: Phyllis Hughes, Board Chairperson and President
ISSUE: Veterans
The Wall That Heals is a Vietnam Veterans Memorial Replica and Mobile Education Center. The Dorchester Heritage Center applied to have the Wall come to the Lowcountry. Center Board Chair and President Phyllis Hughes explained that process, and the importance of bringing the wall to the Center. Hughes discussed involving Gold Star Families in the event and using cadets from the Citadel to assemble the wall, available for anyone to visit, for free, Oct. 17 through 20. In addition to speaking about the wall, she also explained the mission of the Dorchester Heritage Association and the part the Center plays in the community.
https://soundcloud.com/charleston-radio-group/lowcountry-forever-downs-syndrome-assoc-of-the-lowcountry-dorchester-heritage-center-oct-13-2024?utm_source=clipboard&utm_medium=text&utm_campaign=social_sharing&si=3f4502a7bfa9418d85784c1a767c122c
