Business

Offering Sales and Service for Myrtle Beach’s Favorite Toy by Melissa LaScaleia Russell Graham is from Conway, and has lived in the area his entire life. He started Graham Golf Cars in the early ’80s— traveling around locally and servicing people’s golf carts.  Over the years, his company has grown from a single truck and trailer, and three employees riding around to see if people needed service, to five retail locations and over fifty employees.  He is still the owner and operator, and very active in the business today, stepping up and lending a hand whenever the need arises. Graham Golf Cars has several locations along the Grand Strand. Their Myrtle Beach, North Myrtle Beach and Surfside Beach locations sell, service, and store golf cars. Their Garden City location deals exclusively with rentals. All other locations, except Myrtle Beach, also rent golf cars.  Their showrooms are the largest along the Grand Strand, where they sell customizable as well as basic cars. Pre-owned cars start around $3,500; fully reconditioned ones start around $6,000; and new range from $8,500-$11,500. Graham Golf Cars isn’t so much focused on selling golf cars as they are on the customer service they provide— taking care of the car and the customer for a lifetime.  “I came to work here five years ago after running my own business for forty-five years,” says Carl Sherman, the manager of the Surfside Beach location. “I owned my own smoke and fire restoration business in North Carolina. Seven years ago, I was ready to retire, and built a house at the beach and moved here. Soon thereafter I told my wife, ‘I cannot sit around, I need something to do.” “I had a friend who worked for Mr. Graham, and he introduced us. Two days later, I came in and started working and I’ve been here ever since. It’s been about six years now. I come through the door because I want to. There are a good bunch of people here, they’re friendly and make you feel like you’re family; we all work well together.  “During the time I’ve been here, I’ve seen people come in and buy repeatedly from Russell because of the excellent customer service they receive. He follows up with them and does anything in his power to meet their needs. The people who work here extend the same level of service—it’s part of our company culture.” “Being able to maintain and repair the product that you sell is just as important as being able to sell it,” Carl continues. “For that reason, we invest a lot in our service technicians and the customer service of the repair department, to treat our customers right.” Graham Golf Cars has about twenty mechanics working in their shops, and nine service drivers who pick up and deliver golf cars that have been repaired, serviced, or upgraded. They cover Horry, Georgetown, and Brunswick Counties on a daily basis.  “Every refurbished car comes with a warranty, and we’ll deliver it for a fee as far as Charleston; we offer free local delivery for the Grand Strand area,” Carl says. “If something happens within that warranty period, we pick up your car and repair it for you, and get it back to you as fast as possible.” In Myrtle Beach, golf cars are a way of life. Instead of owning a second car, many people instead invest in a golf car to move around the neighborhood. It’s less hair-raising to lend your teen, and fits in with the tempo and balmy climate with ease.  Graham Golf Cars has an in-house fabrication department so they can offer more to their customers. They have played a big part in designing and manufacturing new parts and accessories that are available nationwide. “We make a lot of things ourselves,” Carl says. “People come in from everywhere wanting to buy the accessories that we make. There’s a bar on the back of the car called a safety bar. But Mr. Graham also turned it into a chair rack. In the summer we can’t even keep them in stock they’re so popular. “I really like to see, when a customer comes in, looking for a golf car but not really knowing what they want, the excitement and enthusiasm on their face when they realize that they can special order a golf car and put together the color schemes and accessories that they want, and fully personalize it. “I think knowing they have a part in designing the car brings them joy. We do a lot of design work to help personalize and make the car their own. We often build between twenty to thirty a week. People are just as glad to get that golf car as they are to get a new car. It’s just remarkable to see their faces light up. People like to look good in their golf cars. They take a lot of pride in them.” “I think Mr. Graham has a service here that can’t be touched by anybody else at the Beach,” he adds. “It’s unique to be able to purchase a golf car that you build from the bottom up. The price is fair, and the service can’t be beat. Graham Golf Cars wants to do everything they can to be a positive part of the experience of helping their customers acquire, upgrade or repair their golf car— to do what’s right for the car and the customer. We’re always here to help.” You have to be at least 16 years old and have an unrestricted driver’s license to drive a golf car in Myrtle Beach. Golf cars can be driven on any 35 mph or less, secondary road during daylight hours. They can cross, but not drive on main roads, and are not allowed on bike paths or sidewalks. Graham Golf Cars Facebook Globe

Health Initiatives For the Covid-19 Crisis by Melissa LaScaleia Tidelands Health is the largest health care provider along the Grand Strand, and serves both Horry and Georgetown counties. The not-for-profit 501(c)(3) has more than 2,000 employees and multiple service lines and ambulatory sites, as well as two acute-care hospitals and two inpatient rehabilitation hospitals.  All of these resources means more comprehensive care for the community. The organization has been known as Tidelands Health since 2015 but traces its roots to 1950, when they had one hospital in Georgetown. “Because we’re situated in one of the fastest growing regions of the country, we’ve grown very fast over the past ten years as we’ve continued to expand the organization to meet the needs of the population— both with geographic distribution as well as with the size and scale of our offerings,” says Gayle Resetar, chief operating officer of Tidelands Health. As with any health system, Tidelands Health has a number of services to care for you if you’re sick, but they also prioritize proper health screenings for at-risk populations to have early detection and thus early intervention. “We’re engaged in identifying how we can prevent disease,” Gayle says. “We’re not just taking care of patients with illnesses, but those who may be more susceptible to them.  “Our mission is to help people live better lives through better health. We’re very interested in our community’s health status as much as we’re interested in providing exemplary sick care.” To date, Tidelands Health has performed more than 15,000 Covid-19 tests, and by the end of July, should have completed another 10,000. (Photo by Josh Bell) In keeping with this mission, Tidelands Heath is engaged in a variety of population health initiatives like pre-diabetes and cancer screenings.  Since Covid-19, they’ve incorporated testing for the virus into their protocol. “When Covid-19 began full scale in March,” Gayle says, “we began ramping up for a spike in ICU admissions and began to do a few things to be prepared to respond to a significant increase in inpatient hospitalizations.  “The timing was such that when schools closed, businesses closed, and the stay-at-home order was issued, we flattened the curve. We temporarily suspended elective surgeries and procedures both to ensure that we had sufficient workforce for emergency cases, as well as to make sure that we had sufficient personal protective equipment.  “We certainly saw some Covid-19 patients, but we didn’t see the surge we anticipated. “When we began to work on preparations, what we called our surge program, we began processes to make sure we were actively screening and testing patients at the right time, in the right place, and with the right resources. Through the early part of Covid, we managed to not overwhelm our system, and were able to provide the services the community needed.” By May, as the system began to be more stable, Tidelands Health began to encourage the community to get their normal health care services back on track.  Safe in Our Care is a campaign of protocols and procedures they implemented— setting in place different ways of doing business. “We changed the way we operate,” Gayle says. “We began screening patients for fevers when they came in the door, increased sanitary procedures, and ensured adequate distance between people so that we were ready to safely take care of people.” At the same time, the state was working on beginning to lift the stay-at-home order and getting businesses operational again, but wanted to do that with an expansion of community-wide screenings for Covid-19 on a large scale. “DHEC asked for provider partners to help facilitate testing in the community,” Gayle says. “We were actively testing in our primary care locations, and were well positioned to step up and support their mission of testing 2% of the population. We also set up outdoor clinics where you could go and be evaluated if you had symptoms of Covid-19, instead of having to go to the emergency room.” Tidelands Health has streamlined their testing procedures so that they are able to test 3,000 people over the course of 6-7 hours with an average wait time of 1 hour per person. Above, an aerial view of one of their test sites. (Photo courtesy of Tidelands Health) As of mid July, Tidelands Health has performed more than 15,000 Covid-19 tests. In partnership with DHEC, they are on track to completing another 10,000 tests by the end of July. “We’re leading our community with this,” Gayle says. “There’s no other health system in our community that’s been involved with testing the way we have been.” Tidelands Health administers tests in a variety of different ways. If you are admitted to the hospital you may receive one. If you have symptoms of Covid-19, you can go to one of their primary care clinics to be evaluated by physicians.  Other testing events are free drive-through community screenings in partnership with DHEC where no appointment is necessary. At the free testing events, people wait in line from the safety of their cars and pull up to check-in stations to register. Then they drive on to a collection station to give a specimen to be tested.  Tidelands Health has perfected the efficiency of these events so that they are able to test 3,000 people over the course of 6-7 hours, with wait times averaging about one hour per person. The turnaround time for test results is no more than five business days. “There aren’t many places testing 3,000 people a day,” Gayle says. “And not every community health system is testing at community health events. Some health providers have stopped testing for asymptomatic people.  “Right now, we’re continuing to break records every day with widespread increases in Covid-19 cases in our community and the number of hospitalizations is growing as well. “These community screenings are a piece of our overall response plan. It’s a two-part process— working with additional staff for ICU beds, and testing. Testing is one of the weapons in our arsenal because … Read more

A Third Generation Furniture Store To Remember by Melissa LaScaleia Dianne Ray, the owner of Garden City Furniture, is the second generation of store owners in her family. And today, working in partnership with her son, Joey Ray, the tradition is carrying over to the third. During the Great Depression, Dianne’s grandfather moved his family from Marion, South Carolina to Florence, where fate introduced him to the furniture business. “A family friend, Mr. Rainwater, had a fire in his warehouse,” Dianne says in speaking about how her family started in this business. “And almost everything was destroyed but some metal beds. In knowing my grandfather needed work, Mr. Rainwater gave him the beds to clean up and sell. “They worked hard to get those beds in shape, then put them in the back of a truck and drove around selling them. The whole family, even the children got involved. They were farmers, so they were used to hard work and pitching in to get a job done.” Dianne’s father, Hubert Watson, continued in the industry, and eventually owned six furniture stores in the 1960s, in Horry, Marion and Georgetown counties— Garden City being one of them.  In the ‘60s, sales people traveled throughout the area on a weekly route, selling furniture off a truck and collecting on accounts, which were paid with cash. There were stores, but they were not visited frequently. As an independent furniture store, Garden City Furniture offers special items and customized pieces for customers. Today, Garden City Furniture offers a nod to their roots as the oldest operating furniture store along the Grand Strand while maintaining their modern, forward-moving focus. Their 40,000 square foot showroom is filled with quality furniture at a great value in a variety of styles— including beachy, traditional, modern, rustic, and transitional. “The second home investment here is very strong,” Dianne says. “So over the years we’ve honed our ability to cater to the tastes of people everywhere who come from everywhere— including retirees, who have different preferences. We keep evolving as peoples’ needs change, and constantly revisit the best ways to serve them in the process.” For Dianne, who’s been in this industry now for forty years, Garden City Furniture’s integrity as a business is of paramount importance. “We have established ourselves in the area as being a furniture store that people can trust,” she says. “We want customers to be happy with what they’ve chosen and we do the best we can to make sure that happens. If we don’t have what you’re looking for, we’ll research it till we find it for you. “Our sales team is trained in how to put together a whole house, or part of one, and will work with you personally on your color scheme and pieces. We take pride in knowing that they are knowledgeable about what they’re doing. When people walk in the door to shop for furniture, we hope we give them the best experience they can have. Garden City Furniture prides themselves on their reputation as being a furniture store that people can trust. They aim to always give customers the best possible service and experience. “I don’t care if they remember our name, I want our customers to come in and ask for the person who helped them the last time. ‘I’m just furnishing you with a palette,’ I say, but my team are the ones I want the customers to recognize.” As an independent furniture store, Dianne can offer special items and customization of pieces. “We do the best we can to make everybody happy,” she adds. Many of Garden City Furniture’s customers elect to customize their choices or purchase pieces right off the floor. And the company can deliver within two days. “The quality of our furniture and the service that we offer can’t be compared,” Dianne says. “These are pieces that you won’t have to replace in a couple of years. We look hard and long at furniture before we offer it in our store. After forty years of going to the furniture market, it takes a lot for me to say, ‘Here’s a great product.’” Garden City Furniture Globe Phone Map-marked-alt Facebook

A National Homebuilding Company with a Local Presence And Family Feel by Melissa LaScaleia Locally, D.R. Horton serves the entire Grand Strand area, from Shallotte, NC, to Pawleys Island, SC, and inland to Conway and beyond. While D.R. Horton is a nationwide organization, the Myrtle Beach division is served by a group of seventy-five locals who live and work in the community and treat their clients like family.  As the nation’s largest homebuilder by volume since 2002, the company’s size affords them greater buying power, which creates more value for the customer.    Forty-two years ago, Donald R. Horton had a vision of livable and affordable new homes built with unmatched efficiencies and uncompromising quality, and a business that would grow by making customers’ dreams a reality. That philosophy of creating value every step of the way was the company’s signature focus when Horton unveiled his first neighborhood in the Dallas/Ft. Worth area over four decades ago.  As the company grew from a local homebuilder to a regional homebuilder, to ultimately the largest homebuilder in the United States, that philosophy has never wavered.  Today, D.R. Horton continues to demonstrate their leadership in residential development through design innovation, superior craftsmanship, and responsiveness to the needs of their customers. In the past five years, the company’s standards have garnered a following of satisfied customers— as one in every four people in Myrtle Beach buys a D.R. Horton home. Kate Barr has worked with them for a little over three years as a sales agent for the Meridian and the Summit at Meridian, developments in the Market Common. Meridian altogether was the number one best-selling community in the tri-county Grand Strand area in 2019. “D.R. Horton is a brand that focusses on treating customers like family,” she says. “And I support those values. I love representing the homes and community of Meridian— as it really is the ideal location in Myrtle Beach. It is close to everything and has so much to offer. We’re a part of the active Market Common lifestyle, amenity-rich area.” The Meridian is a master planned community with resort-style amenities featuring two collections of homes— standard single-family, and luxury-based, higher-end homes which feature more upgrades.  D.R. Horton offers the lowest pricing on single-family homes for the Market Common area. The new amenity center and pool at Meridian with a zero-entry feature and baja shelf. The Meridian’s recently opened amenities include a resort style pool with a zero-entry feature and a baja shelf— an expansive shallow-water step that serves as an entry point into the pool.  The baja shelf is appealing for adults who want a lot of sun and only a little water, and is perfectly suited for small children and their parents to play in with ease.  There’s also a hot tub, an air-conditioned pickle ball court, corn hole and fire pit areas, and sidewalks and walking trails throughout the entire community.  D.R. Horton is currently working with the City of Myrtle Beach to tie their walking trails into those at the Market Common, and in general, is keeping pace with the growth and expansion happening along the Grand Strand. “There is a continuous focus on buying land in desirable areas where people want to live,” Kate says. “New designs are always coming out, along with innovative upgrades and features based on surveys D.R. Horton conducts and the feedback we receive from customers about what they want.” “One of the biggest things that sets us apart is that we have homes for every stage of life,” she adds. D.R. Horton’s Myrtle Beach division offers four lines of homes within its family of brands: Express Homes provide entry-level homes for value-focused buyers; D.R. Horton’s flagship brand provides homes that are engineered for maximum livability and value for the price;  Emerald Homes provide a luxury option for the move-up buyer; and Freedom Homes are geared toward active adults who are looking for a low-maintenance home as they head towards retirement years. “We have so much variety,” Kate says. “We have homes in over eighteen communities in the Grand Strand area, so if you want a D.R. Horton home, we have something for everyone in every area, that can meet every price range. There are few times someone calls me and says they want something that I can’t find for them. We have a strong presence here.” The Meridian and the Summit at Meridian communities are located at 2913 Skyler Drive in Myrtle Beach. They are available for viewing Monday through Saturday from 10am to 6pm, and Sunday from noon to 6pm. Community model homes are open for viewing M-Sa 10am-6pm; Su noon-6pm.  D.R. Horton Globe Phone Map-marked-alt Facebook

Driven by Technology, Dedicated to Security by Melissa LaScaleia The technology driven NSI Security Systems Solutions in Myrtle Beach is jointly owned by Charles Bell and his son Chuck— both U.S. Army veterans. Chuck is third generation military in his family. His grandfather served in WWII and Korea; he served in Iraq. “I realized I didn’t want to go to college, so after high school I enlisted in the Army as a mechanic,” Chuck says. “Towards the latter end of my career, I got more involved in the security side of things. After four years in the military, I moved back to Massachusetts, where I’m from, and began working for my father with NSI Security.” NSI Security Systems Solutions began in 1986 as a locksmithing company. In the military, Charles worked in the engineering corp division; creating NSI Security was a natural extension of his interests. “My dad was invested in the security world pre-9/11, implementing security systems and cameras for commercial businesses, the government, banks, and schools long before it was cool,” Chuck says laughing. Over the years, NSI Security has transformed from locksmithing to advanced technology solutions, with a niche specialization that few people are qualified to perform.  They are certified by Government Services Administration (GSA) to install and repair government safes and vault locks. “There are only two types of locks the government will use,” Chuck says. “And there aren’t a lot of people who know how to install or repair them. My dad was doing this before there was a certification for it. But after 9/11 everyone realized that you can’t have somebody walking onto an Air Force Base without clearances, or who isn’t fully versed in the ins and outs of how this equipment works. We have to have constant background and security clearance checks to perform these services.” After 9/11, as the need for greater security amongst government and corporate buildings exploded, Chuck and his father found themselves traveling all over the country— a lot. “Our work was taking us from Maine to Florida,” Chuck says. “And we began to get tired of all the driving. My dad had been coming to Myrtle Beach for fifteen years and had a second home down here. So we decided to open a second location for NSI Security in Myrtle Beach, and I moved here last year to run it.”  Today, the father and son pair have a local team of nine employees assisting them with the multitude of security services that they provide at the municipal, corporate, and residential level. They continue to offer the locksmithing services that put then on the map, as well as installation and service for access control card readers, alarms, security cameras, full security systems, and everything that falls under the umbrella of security— including hardware. “A lot of people don’t know how to do the hardware and the security, but we can do both,” Chuck says. “It really sets us apart. “We can also orchestrate security systems for entire towns. We continue to evolve with the times as things change. The technology, just like a computer, changes all the time. And it’s incredible. We just got a camera that reads people’s body temperatures as they walk by. Whoever is monitoring it will get an alert if someone has a high temperature. The technology-driven NSI Security Systems Solutions is at the cutting edge of their industry in terms of the products they offer as well as their skill in installations and repairs. “We envision the temperature camera being installed in senior care centers and hospitals. It’s the first line of defense right now, who’s walking through your doors— because you’re putting everyone else at risk. Dealers are connecting us with those who want this product, because they know they can trust us. There aren’t a lot of people who have the knowledge and credentials to install these.” Another Coronavirus-driven product is a doorknob that has an antimicrobial coating on it. They’re available commercially as well as residentially. Some other things they offer include a cloud-based commercial access control system that can be managed from a cell phone. “The technology enables you to unlock the door to your business or home remotely using your phone,” Chuck says. “If you have a visitor, you can see the individual on camera. And companies can also use it for employees to clock-in and out. The demand for this has been overwhelming.” The company also builds a trailer equipped with cameras on the outside and solar panels on the roof– the latter provides a hotspot for internet communications. The trailers are built to client specifications and are available to rent or buy. It can be used as a mobile office during the day, then to monitor the area remotely at night. “We can transport these trailers anywhere,” Chuck says. “I’m marketing them for construction sites, concerts, marathons, festivals, and events like Bike Week. Any place where security is needed but you can’t be everywhere at once, or need to monitor the area after hours. It’s a fantastic way to secure a location when you’re not there because you can see what’s happening from anywhere in the world.” Since arriving in Myrtle Beach, NSI Security has been servicing a lot of HOA facilities helping to secure pools and recreation areas with pin codes. “We are happy to offer demos for our products at our shop,” Chuck says. “That way people can really see and learn about all of the technology solutions that we have.” “I’m very glad we came to Myrtle Beach,” he adds. “Everyone is friendly, and the community has embraced us as a company. There are a lot of businesses here that we can help with our services. We pride ourselves on doing clean work, staying on top of answering our phones, and returning calls in a timely manner.” NSI Security Solutions does all jobs, big and small, as well as emergency locksmith services for everything except vehicles. They give local, senior, and veteran … Read more

Honoring the Memory of Those You Love With Affordable Service by Melissa LaScaleia Lewis Crematory and Funeral Services is a full-service crematory and funeral service provider located on Highway Bypass 17 South, just north of the hospital in Myrtle Beach. Kelvin Ford Lewis, a Conway native, opened the business in July 2018. The business provides traditional, memorial, chapel and ship out services— in which the body is embalmed here and shipped to the location family members designate. “I’ve been in the funeral business for more than twenty years,” Kelvin says. “I previously owned a crematory in North Carolina; then sold that business. I’m licensed in South Carolina and North Carolina. In creating my business, I wanted to provide a low-cost service and facility for Horry and Georgetown County, and felt that Myrtle Beach would be a good location for my vision.” Kelvin got started in the industry as a boy helping to tend the local cemetery, Westside Memorial Gardens in Conway, as well as the local funeral home, whenever they needed assistance. “The funeral home was owned by Billy Jordan,” Kelvin says. “He also owned Palmetto Funeral Home in Conway. Over the years, my involvement progressed, and I adopted the profession. What I like most about this business is to be able to serve families in their time of need.”  Bill J. Gray is the manager of Lewis Crematory and Funeral Services, and has been licensed since 1975. “I’m licensed in Virginia, Ohio, and South Carolina and also Board Certified by the National Board of Funeral Service,” he says. “As a young boy, I had good friends in this industry and did some labor work around the funeral home. And that progressed, as it does for many of us in this industry, to going to college and getting licensed. You’re sort of born into the niche of the funeral service. The recently renovated chapel of Lewis Crematory and Funeral Services has been expanded to accommodate greater numbers for a visitation or memorial service. — Photo Meganpixels Parker “There is an influx of people retiring and moving here from other states. And there aren’t enough affordable funeral homes to support the population needs for this service. So we’re evolving as more people move down here, to serve them. Today, we are a full service crematory and funeral service provider at the most reasonable price in the state.”     “By law, all funeral homes have to follow the same guidelines, protocols, rules, and regulations as to performing a service,” he adds. “We charge a fraction of what the competition does, but adhere to the same standards and protocols as designated by the state. We have an onsite crematory so that your loved one never leaves our care.” Lewis Crematory and Funeral Services recently renovated their chapel, so now the space can accommodate more people for a visitation. With the advent of COVID-19, they are now offering outdoor services and drive-through memorial services. People can drive past, circling the building, to acknowledge the family gathered on the premises outside, to show support via their presence in a way that is safe and respectful for all. They are also offering a similar graveside service— rather than gathering as a group for the burial, the family can stay at the gravesite and receive those who have come to pay their respects as they drive past on the cemetery roads. “These are just a few of the options that we can offer grieving families during this time,” Kelvin says. “It’s whatever the family wants. There are a lot of options to choose from— some people elect a full service, others a private one.” Lewis Crematory and Funeral Services Globe Phone Map-marked-alt Facebook Envelope

A Pillar of Positivity and Support in An Uncertain Time by Melissa LaScaleia Jonny McCoy is a very busy man. The lawyer and civil rights activist just concluded a civil settlement that awarded his Horry County client $11.5 million.  Thousands of residents along the Grand Strand watched as he stood up for this citizen at a press conference, and almost overnight his Facebook page grew exponentially as reams of people began following him wanting to know what happened. He was approached by countless sites asking him to speak and share the story. Ten days later, the Coronavirus pandemic had spread to the doorstep of South Carolina. In the wake of his success, Jonny used his internet popularity to help the community cope with this novel crisis. On a Friday, he started a private Facebook page, Horry County Citizens Crisis Response, to make sure that the community could stay connected. Within two hours, 2,000 people had joined the group; within five days, those numbers jumped to 15,000. “I made this page because this global situation doesn’t feel like the type of crisis where we’re going to know what’s going on from our government and officials,” Jonny says. “So this is a way to connect everybody who wants to help with everyone who needs help in any capacity— whether it’s food, supplies, financial assistance, or something else— so that we’re able to help people efficiently and effectively. I wanted a central location for everybody to be able to find information.” As fast as the Facebook page grew, Jonny has kept and is keeping stride with the pace, implementing systems to manage the traffic, and most importantly, the requests. “After I created the page, the first thing I did was ask for help,” he says. “It was incredible the response I got from the community.” In less than five days, thirty volunteers were working together to monitor the page with 100,000 comments and engagements— and counting. “It’s crazy what they can do,” Jonny says of his volunteers. “They love doing this. One of the women helping runs a Good Vibes Cat Facebook page with 600,000 people on it. We have business owners, city legislatures, congressmen, stay-at-home-moms, and well-connected community members. These are sophisticated people in their own lives, who are all stepping in, assisting us.”  The team works around the clock, moderating requests to join, making sure that the right people are on the posts, and that there is no bullying, profanity, or unkindness present. There was already one incident of bullying, and Jonny responded to it as he seems to handle things— swiftly and by stepping up to the plate— permanently blocking the user from the group and with a message (here significantly shortened): “That’s not what I created this group for,” while the community responded by bringing the family who had requested help the supplies that they needed. Terrance Herriott (left), newly appointed CFO of HCCCR, and Jonny McCoy (right) show off the paperwork that officially designates the Horry County Citizens Crisis Response nonprofit 501(c)(3) status. — Photo Jonny McCoy “Volunteers are immediately contacted by one of our amazing directors,” Jonny says. “And if you post that you need something, you’ll also be immediately contacted. Whatever you need, whatever you want, we can get it for you now. People are just sitting and watching this page. We have tabs for where you can get childcare, transportation, jobs, online tutoring— everything you can imagine, we have tabs for it. If you’re alone in your house with no toilet paper and your AC stops working, we’re the ones to contact.  “We already procured a refrigerator for a 93-year-old lady. And if people are treating people unethically and unfairly, whether it’s a business or a person, we’ll post that to 15,000 people in the community.” HCCCR already has two huge storage facilities, but until there is more information about how long the virus stays on boxes and goods, Jonny does not want to initiate a supply chain. Instead, he is pending a partnership with a local church, Wellspring, with the intention of routing all donated supplies through them. “People want to bring milk to the elderly, or donate a case of water, so we’re connecting them with people who need those items,” Jonny says. “But it’s a logistical nightmare. So instead, our volunteers will bring their donated items to Wellspring’s distribution center to supplement the process that that organization has implemented already. And we will help Wellspring facilitate who needs what from our Facebook site. There will be just one person at Wellspring organizing the goods so that contamination will be minimized. We’re trying to keep as few people as possible involved on the ground, to keep everyone safe.” Additionally, Jonny is partnering with Meals On Wheels, a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit, and BackPack Buddies, the North Carolina-based nonprofit. “These organizations already have the kitchens and infrastructure in place for the safe-handling and production of meals,” Jonny says. “So we’re asking them what they need to be able to accommodate more people. They tell us. We give it. Without even taking in a dollar, through donations of services and goods, we’ve already expanded the pantry space for Meals On Wheels so that they can provide for everyone in and around Horry County in the event of an emergency food situation. We can also help them in coordinating the effort to get the food out to more people than just the elderly.” Several days after the creation of the Facebook page, Jonny had his accountant establish Horry County Citizens Crisis Response as a legitimate nonprofit 501(c)(3). Terrance Herriott, the assistant vice president of Conway National Bank, is HCCCR’s new CFO; Jennifer Mullen is the executive director. Jonny has big community plans for the new nonprofit— it’s here to stay. “We view ourselves as community members coming together with all of our fellow citizen’s backing, manpower, and support— united in responding to whatever crisis is happening in the moment. This response will be ongoing, we just … Read more