DI outreach efforts touch those impacted by flooding

Ask and you shall receive.
That is the power of social media experienced by those involved in donation collection efforts in the wake of last week’s devastating flooding. A few simple messages on Facebook ignited an outpouring of support far and wide, particularly in the Daniel Island, Cainhoy and Huger communities.
Rescue personnel responding to the area report that some 70 homes in the Cainhoy/Huger area were impacted by rising flood waters last week, along with more than 200 individuals. St. Paul Missionary Baptist Church on Clements Ferry Road, at the entrance to the Nelliefield subdivision, was bustling with activity most of last week as volunteers gathered to sort and pack food and other necessities for those directly impacted by the storm and flooding. Most saw messages posted on social media and responded as soon as they could.
“This is chicken,” said Beresford Creek Landing resident Kate Sablotsky, holding two bags in her hands for a waiting volunteer in the parking lot at St. Paul’s. “I’m here to help!”
Sablotsky brought along her three children to pitch in as well. Supporting those in need was an easy decision for her family.
“Just the fact that we’re so close, and I’m so fortunate that my house is still above water and dry and happy,” she said. “It’s important to help and it’s important to teach the next generation.” Beresford Hall resident Ann Williams, and her five children, also came out to offer assistance.
“It was good for them,” said Williams, of her children’s involvement in the effort. “Instead of just seeing it as a day off from school! People need help so let’s use our time wisely. They enjoyed it enough to come back out (for a second day). It’s been great for us!”
“It’s just so good to see people coming together,” added Carol Peck of Daniel Island, who arrived at St. Paul’s with 24 cases of bottled water from Publix.
Rev. Levi Howard Wright, pastor at St. Paul’s, and his wife, Janet, typically offer free food to those in need every other Wednesday from the site. The flooding has added even more significance to their efforts. When Nelliefield resident Lisa Kerns put the word out on Facebook, the donations came pouring in. Rev. Wright estimates that they have offered up more than 6,000 pounds of food in the last week.
“It has been phenomenal,” said Rev. Wright, who noted he has not ever seen flooding like this on the Cainhoy Peninsula. In addition to serving those who drove their cars to the church to pick up food, Rev. Wright and Janet took a truck loaded with food packages into the hardest hit areas around Huger to personally deliver to residents there. The Wrights live in an area near French Quarter Creek, where some of the worst flooding took place.
“We can get to our home,” said Janet. “Now the (rising) water is done. But we watched a helicopter carry the lady out the other day with the baby. God is good because he protected us. Up in this area, we have not had any catastrophes, like anybody losing their lives. It’s just amazed me. It’s worse than Hugo.”
At the Baldwin Carson Community Outreach Center (BCCOC) in Huger, a new East Cooper Community Outreach (ECCO) location, donations arrived throughout the week from Daniel Island and other Lowcountry communities. St. Clare of Assisi Catholic Church on the island spearheaded a collection drive for the BCCOC, as well as other relief organizations. Once again, social media came to the rescue. Church members put out information on two front porch collection sites on the island and within a matter of hours, bags of donations began filling both spaces.
“We received a tremendous outpouring of help delivering more than 20 carloads of food, clothing, and cleaning supplies to Baldwin Carson Community Outreach Center in Cainhoy/Huger, to Cainhoy Elementary/Middle School, to ECCO in Mount Pleasant and some to Goodwill,” said Daniel Island resident and St. Clare of Assisi member Ben Pogue, president of the Society of Saint Vincent de Paul.
On Daniel Island, at least three flooding victims were taken in by residents after being displaced from their homes. Martine and David Jeffcoat of the French Quarter Creek community in Huger are staying at the home of a Center Park family. When a friend posted on social media about their needs, dozens of boxes and bags full of donated items showed up at the home. A woman from downtown Charleston who lost everything was taken in by the Raduazo family of Smythe Park. A post for help from Karen Raduazo spurred yet another overwhelming show of support.
“It is so wonderful to live and be a part of a community that truly cares for others and helps in any way possible,” wrote Karen on the Daniel Island Moms Facebook Page. “I had donations on my porch literally 30 minutes after the initial FB post. Love DI!! Thank you all!”
As news spread of the devastating flooding in the Columbia area, Daniel Island resident Jennifer Davis and her husband felt a strong tugging on their heartstrings. Both originally from Columbia, the couple immediately wanted to help. Jennifer’s husband planned a trip to the area to assist the American Red Cross. The morning he was to leave, Jennifer put a post on the Daniel Island Moms Facebook Page asking if anyone wanted to send up some donations.
“We had about 12 families that reached out and wanted to donate either clothes, or toys, or books,” recalled Jennifer. “We just had a ton of stuff. One family actually went to Wal-Mart and loaded us up on a paper products, blankets, pillows, and then bought $500 worth of gift cards!”
The Davis’s vehicle, packed full of donations, arrived later that day at Lake Murray Presbyterian Church in the Irmo/Chapin area, a community devastated by flooding.
“The volunteers came out and they were blown away when he opened the car!” said Jennifer. “When they were handed the $500 gift card, they started crying…It was just amazing to see the response (to our call for help)…There are a lot of gracious people out there and I was lucky enough to interact with a few through this process…I feel like sometimes social media can get a negative rap, but this shows one of the positives and how it brings people together!”
Daniel Island resident Valary Dreyer and others also collected items for those impacted by flooding in the Kingstree area. A loaded truck was dispatched on Sunday to deliver a plethora of donations. Necessities for flood victims were also collected throughout the week at Daniel Island Academy, where the school’s families contributed greatly to relief efforts. Items were delivered to East Cooper Community Outreach.
“The response has been amazing,” said Casey Griffin, president of the Parent Association of Daniel Island Academy. “We had a whole lot of clothes, water, cleaning products, and toiletries. People are really paying attention to what the needs are….Every time we do something like this, and we do a whole lot of collections throughout the year, I am consistently blown away by the generosity of the Daniel Island Academy families and the Daniel Island community…We’re such a small community, but what a difference a few people can make!”
Cainhoy Fire & Rescue also stepped up to assist, not only in terms of providing emergency rescue operations for evacuations, but also collecting supplies for victims. On Friday, a team of volunteers gathered at the Cainhoy Volunteer Fire Station on Clements Ferry Road to assemble packages of donations. After a call for help went out via social media, they received seven pallets of food.
“A lot of people lost quite a bit and this was the quickest thing we could do to help people out,” said Cainhoy Fire & Rescue Chief Steve Goodwin, who added that the donations would be delivered to Cainhoy and Huger area families.
Last week, the Rotary Club of Daniel Island and the Daniel Island Community Fund announced they, too, would be supporting flood relief efforts. Both organizations contributed $2500 each to ECCO specifically to help flood victims in the Cainhoy Peninsula area.
“We are grateful to the Daniel Island Community Fund and Rotary Club of Daniel Island for supporting ECCO during this critical time,” said Jack Little, Executive Director of ECCO. “Their generous $5,000 donation will expand our relief efforts for flood victims on the Cainhoy Peninsula as we help them to rebuild and recover from the recent disaster.”
FLOOD RELIEF
How to help!
East Cooper Community Outreach (ECCO) is collecting the following items for victims of the recent flooding. ECCO is distributing clean-up supplies and hygiene kits, along with bedding, clothing, and food. They are also accepting applications for financial assistance and home repairs.
Drop off any of the following items at the ECCO offices at 1145 Six Mile Road, Mount Pleasant, Monday through Friday, 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
Flood Clean-up Buckets
• Bleach • Painters face mask (N95) • Goggles • Trash bags • Cleaners, disinfectants, rubber gloves • Brooms, sponges, brushes, mops • Water • Flash lights
Personal Hygiene Kits
• Shampoo • Comb • Razors, shaving cream • Toothbrush, toothpaste, mouthwash, dental floss • Washcloths • Soap, hand sanitizer • Deodorant • Toilet paper
ECCO asks that kits are assembled in advance and that bedding or linen sizes are labeled prior to drop-off. Please contact Whitney Cooper at 843-416-7134 with questions about financial assistance or for specific instructions regarding ECCO’s greatest needs for donated items.
Other resources for victims and donors:
• Salvation Army Call 1-800-SALARMY Text STORM to 51555 Visit www.salvationarmycarolinas.org/flood
• American Red Cross Call 1-800-RED CROSS Text RED CROSS to 90999 to make a $10 donation Visit http://www.redcross.org/local/sc
• ECCO Call (843) 416-7134 Text “ecco” to 33923 or go online at www.text.gives/ECCO Visit www.ECCOcharleston.org
• FEMA Aid for Flood Victims 1-800-621-FEMA Visit https://www.fema.gov/apply-assistance