Myrtle Beach Area is Giving Back

Myrtle Beach Area Chamber of Commerce member business are reaching out to nonprofits through donations, blood drives, mentoring and more.

Elliot Beach Rentals

Elliott Beach Rentals has long tradition of supporting local nonprofit and charitable organizations including Wounded Warriors, Scents for Soldiers, The Walker Foundation, Cape Fear Hospice, March of Dimes, American Heart Association, local middle and high schools and just this past Christmas presented toys to a group of local foster children.

Carolina Trust Employees Donated More Than $2,000 to Local Charities by Wearing Jeans

Throughout 2011, Carolina Trust Federal Credit Union employees had the option of donating $3 to wear blue jeans on Fridays. All proceeds went to charities that changed monthly. More than $2,000 was distributed to 12 local charities throughout the Credit Union's field of membership, which includes Horry, Georgetown, Marion, Williamsburg and Florence counties south of Lynches River.

The Blue Jeans for Charity fundraiser was so successful that Carolina Trust is continuing the program in 2012. Employees who choose to wear jeans on Fridays will wear stickers to indicate the charity they are supporting. The charities are pre-selected because they benefit one or more areas served by Carolina Trust.Visit carolinatrust.org for the complete list of 2012 charities.

In addition to the Blue Jeans for Charity money raised, Carolina Trust donated more than $30,000 to local nonprofit organizations, schools and community events during 2011.

Tee Off Fore A Cause Inc. Raises Money and Golf Equipment for Wounded Warrior Project

Tee Off Fore A Cause Inc. has collected and delivered more than $40,000 of new and used golf equipment to be used at Wounded Warrior Project golf clinics by our soldiers during the rehab process. Our Clubs Fore Heroes project is ongoing all year!

Carolina Trust Donates Van to Help 4 Kids

Carolina Trust Federal Credit Union recently donated their 1999 Chevy Astro Van to Help 4 Kids, a local nonprofit organization established to provide basic necessities to children in Horry County. The Credit Union primarily used the van for courier and marketing event purposes. "We wanted to donate the van to a non-profit that could use it, and we heard from a Habitat for Humanity volunteer that Help 4 Kids really needed a van," said Angelia Johnson, Carolina Trust vice president of marketing.

Legends in Concert Myrtle Beach Honoring First Responders

Legends in Concert Myrtle Beach gave away free tickets to active firefighters, police officers and EMTs in remembrance of 9/11 and as part of its Legends C.A.R.E. (Community Awareness Reaching Everyone).

Legends in Concert Myrtle Beach to Partner With Street Reach in June for new Charity Program

The tribute artist production show - which recently relocated to Myrtle Beach's Broadway at the Beach - donated a portion of its June ticket sales to Street Reach, sent several tribute artists and other Legends in Concert employees to the facility to assist throughout the month, and donated tickets to Street Reach participants.
For more information about Street Reach Ministries, visit helpstreetreach.com.

Hard Rock Cafe Myrtle Beach

Hard Rock Cafe Myrtle Beach recently held their 5th Annual Charity Golf Tournament at the Myrtlewood Golf Club and raised $10,000 for the V Foundation for Cancer Research.

Sons of Italy Lodge #2662 Raises Money for Community Kitchen

Sons of Italy Lodge #2662 members hosted its annual spring golf tournament with a portion of the proceeds ($4,000) being donated to the Community Kitchen of Myrtle Beach. To date, the lodge has now donated approximately $34,000 total to the Community Kitchen.

Carolina Trust Donates $3,200 to March of Dimes®

For the past 6 years, Carolina Trust has proudly participated in the annual March of Dimes® March for Babies fundraiser. This year, CTFCU raised money through the sales of plush toys at each of their six branch locations. These sales along with a Credit Union donation enabled Carolina Trust to contribute a total of $3,200 to the March of Dimes charity: $2,000 to the Pee Dee Division and $1,200 to the Greater Lake City Division.

Carolina Trust team walkers participated in the Pee Dee Division's March for Babies Walk on Saturday, April 30. The three-mile walk began at the Coastal Carolina University football stadium and circled around the campus. The Lake City March for Babies Walk was held on May 7. Carolina Trust donated bottled water to both events.

Legends in Concert Debuts Charity Program

Legends in Concert® Myrtle Beach has begun its Legends C.A.R.E. (Community Awareness Reaching Everyone)Program during May by partnering with the Veterans Welcome Home & Resource Center in Little River, S.C. The tribute artist production show will donate a portion of its May ticket sales to the veteran's organization; send several tribute artists and other Legends in Concert employees to the center to assist throughout the month; and donate tickets to area returning veterans.The monetary donation will be used to help veterans with their day-to-day needs, their VA claims and entrance into the VA health care system.

3rd Annual "RED Day" Set to Lend a Hand in
Horry & Georgetown Counties

Keller Williams Realty - Myrtle Beach part of community service initiative

Keller Williams Realty associates may be taking the day off on Thursday, May 12, 2011, but it will hardly be a day of rest. Associates with the Keller Williams Realty - Myrtle Beach have chosen to "Give Where They Live" as part of RED Day, one of the biggest events in the real estate industry.

Short for "Renew, Energize and Donate," RED Day was created to unite Keller Williams Realty offices and associates in an international day of service.

As part of the RED Day effort, Keller Williams Realty - Myrtle Beach has chosen to spend the day with Back Pack Buddies (fill backpacks for 2,000 kids), Coffee House Ministries (painting & install shelving) and Veterans Welcome Home & Rescue Center (landscaping, parking lot & painting wheelchair ramp). They will also be raising money that evening with a special "RED Day Drink" at participating restaurants along the Murrells Inlet Marsh Walk (Dead Dog Saloon, Divines/Wahoos, Drunken Jacks, Spuds, Creek Ratz, Bovines, Dockside/Bubbas Love Shack, beginning around 6 p.m.

H.E.A.R.T. Home School Joins Former Vice President Al Gore for Time Warner Cable's Global Online Town Hall on Student Attitudes Toward Math and Science Education

Time Warner Cable (TWC) hosted a live interactive online town hall called "Math, Science and the Future of Our Nation," hosted by former Vice President Al Gore. This unique event is part of Connect a Million Minds (CAMM), TWC's philanthropic commitment to connect youth to ideas, people and opportunities that will inspire them to pursue education and careers in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM). Among the panelists: internationally known science and technology leaders including inventor Dean Kamen and astronaut Sally Ride. Several schools across the country, including H.E.A.R.T. Home School (Homeschoolers Educating Through Art, Recreation and Technology) participated by attending a viewing party hosted at Time Warner Cable.

Musician's Group to Award Guitar to Deserving Youth

Myrtle Beach Musicians Network (MUNET) will award new guitar to young music student attending Boys And Girls Club Of The Grand Strand. Presiden/Co-founder of "MUNET" Michael James will award guitar. Student qualified for guitar by attending 8 week basic program and learning the information presented. Now young student qualifies to Advance with his class to receive cost free private music lessons funded by MUNET fund raiser. Guitar donated by Andy Owings Music Store. Don Hall, director of The Boys And Girls Club, hopes music curriculum will result in B&G Club ensemble to represent to the public what is possible for underprivileged youth through his organization.Myrtle Beach Musicians Network is an open membership organization created for artists by artists.

Carolina Trust Awards $100 to Three Youth and
$500 to Three Area Schools

Carolina Trust Federal Credit Union's Goal Club for children and teens stresses the importance of learning and maintaining healthy financial habits. During April, National Financial Literacy Month, Carolina Trust encouraged youth age 17 and younger to answer an age appropriate question to be automatically entered to win $100 plus have $500 donated to their school. The Learning to Save promotion asked elementary and middle school participants "Why is learning to save important to my future?" High school participants were asked, "Why is learning to manage my personal finances important to my future?"

Schools in Horry, Georgetown, Marion, Williamsburg, and southern Florence County were notified of the promotion and invited to participate. Over 400 entries were received during the month of April! Winners from three age categories (ages 5-9, 10-13, and 14-17) were chosen based on age appropriate content that met criteria.

Congratulations to the winners: Jon Allen, age 8, from Pee Dee Elementary; Quannisha Green, age 11, from Loris Middle; and Summer Smith, age 17, from Socastee High. Each winner received $100, and their respective schools each received a $500 donation from Carolina Trust. Carolina Trust would like to thank the 10 schools and 414 youth who participated in the Learning to Save promotion.

Carolina Trust Helps Raise Money for Three Local Charities

Carolina Trust Federal Credit Union partnered with Easy 105.9 to help raise money for three local charities: The American Red Cross, the Grand Strand Humane Society, and Habitat for Humanity of Georgetown County by selling cookbooks for $6.00 each. Easy's Jim Morgan and Scott Richards were on hand at Carolina Trust's 21st Avenue branch in Myrtle Beach hosting a radio remote and encouraging their listeners to stop by to purchase a cookbook for charity.

Carolina Trust Donates $3,200 to March of Dimes

For the past 5 years, Carolina Trust has proudly participated in the annual March of Dimes® March for Babies fundraiser. This year, CTFCU raised money through the sales of plush toys at each of their six branch locations. These sales along with a Credit Union donation enabled Carolina Trust to contribute a total of $3,200 to the March of Dimes charity: $2,000 to the Pee Dee Division and $1,200 to the Greater Lake City Division.

Carolina Trust team walkers participated in the Pee Dee Division's March for Babies Walk on Saturday, April 24. The three-mile walk began at the Coastal Carolina University football stadium and circled around the campus. The Lake City March for Babies Walk was held on May 1. Carolina Trust donated bottled water to both events.

CNB Educates Children on the Value of Saving

Conway National Bank is proud, once again, to partner with the American Bankers Association by participating in their annual Teach Children To Save Day. This event brings students and bankers together to increase savings education. The program's goal is to encourage bankers to reach 5 million students before the end of 2011.

CNB has participated in this event several years, and has had the privilege of reaching thousands of second graders throughout its service area in Horry County and the Waccamaw Neck area of Georgetown County. This year, 11schools will be participating in the program.

While the national program focuses on children of all ages, CNB felt if you could teach them the value of saving early enough, it would become a lifelong lesson. "CNB firmly believes that teaching children about money and savings is a crucial part of providing our youth with a superior education," says Jennings Duncan, president and CEO of CNB. "Children are typically fascinated by money and enjoy spending. That's why CNB has joined the nationwide effort to help educate children on these issues."

While this year's Teach Children to Save Day was April 27, CNB will implement its program April-May to accommodate the school system's academic calendar and statewide testing. Spreading it over two months rather than just one day also allows the Bank to reach a lot more children. The level of interest for the program has grown with CNB presenting to 11 schools this year.

The 45-minute program is conducted by several bank representatives and includes games and activities allowing students to apply the concepts of saving money. "Financial literacy is critical to personal and professional success. Money is not just a resource that you work for; it is a resource that should work for you. CNB has taken a leadership role in helping educate children about financial responsibility. It is just another example that shows they are invested in our children and in our community for the long haul." says Teal Britton, Horry County Public Information Officer. At the end of the program, each student receives a CNB piggy bank and a $5.00 savings certificate, which they can deposit in their previously opened or new CNB savings account.

"These children are our future. Everything we do for them today helps secure a better tomorrow," Duncan says. "We are pleased to offer this program and are encouraged by the enormous support we receive from our community educators. Without their support, none of this would be possible."

Two Area Students Receive KEY Scholarship Award

For the fourth year, Carolina Trust Federal Credit Union, Horry Telephone Cooperative, Inc. (HTC) and 104.9 BOB FM chose two graduating high school seniors to win $1,000 each in scholarship awards. High school seniors from Horry, Georgetown, Marion, Williamsburg, and the southern part of Florence County planning to attend either Coastal Carolina University or Francis Marion University were encouraged to apply.

The 2010 KEY Scholarship award winners are: Carolina Forest High School graduate Merritt Flanigan of Conway, S.C., and Lake City High School graduate Skyelar Parrott of Lake City, S.C. Flanigan plans to attend Coastal Carolina University and major in Mathematics while Parrott plans to attend Francis Marion University and major in nursing.
"These exceptional students have juggled academics, part-time jobs and extracurricular or volunteer activities successfully," explained Nicole Hyman, HTC senior marketing coordinator.

Each winner receives $1,000 applied to the cost of first-year tuition. The scholarships may be renewed for an additional three years in the amount of $500 per year should the recipients continue to meet qualifying criteria, which include maintaining a 3.00 GPA and full-time enrollment at either CCU or FMU.

Time Warner Cable Partners With ScieneSouth & Girl Scouts on new Philanthropic Initiative, Connect a Million Minds

Time Warner Cable officially launched its philanthropic focus, Connect A Million Minds, in its Grand Strand and Pee Dee markets March 25th. Connect A Million Minds seeks to inspire young people to build the skills they need in science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) to become the problem solvers of tomorrow. Time Warner Cable will do this by raising awareness and visibility for STEM and by connecting youth to afterschool STEM opportunities.

The kick-off of Connect A Million Minds for the Grand Strand and Pee Dee was held at ScienceSouth in Florence, with a $10,000 donation presented by Time Warner Cable to both ScienceSouth and the Girl Scouts of Eastern South Carolina. Both groups have programs in place that support STEM. In addition to the donations, it was also announced that a concurrent resolution, which was sponsored by Senator Hugh Leatherman was passed by the General Assembly recognizing Time Warner Cable's "Connect A Million Minds" Week which was March 22-27.

''Connect A Million Minds is driven by Time Warner Cable's heritage as a technology company," said Michal Smith, senior director of operations, Time Warner Cable, South Carolina. "With 80 percent of jobs in the next decade requiring STEM skills, building excitement in STEM areas is critical to helping students of today succeed in the future."
As part of the event, the Florence and Darlington area students used microscopes to identify organisms from a local pond and isolated DNA using strawberries.

Nationwide, Time Warner Cable is making a $100 million, five-year commitment of cash and in-kind support. Of that, $3 million dollars is designated for South Carolina. The company is in a unique position to use its products and technology to bring more attention to STEM opportunities. Public service announcements are running throughout the state. Parents and students can also easily identify local after-school programs and opportunities to explore STEM by visiting connectamillionminds.com.

Investment Planning Firm Supports Local School's Athletes
Through Sponsorship

Pyle Cunningham Wealth Management of Raymond James & Associates will sponsor the St. Andrew Catholic School in the 2010 Diocese of Charleston Youth Basketball Tournament. Scheduled for Feb. 27-28, 2010, the tournament will 45 Catholic school teams from across South Carolina. As a sponsor of the tournament, Pyle Cunningham will help support St. Andrew Catholic School of Myrtle Beach.

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