Charleston magazine Society blog

For an evening of celebration, recognition, and appreciation, The United Methodist Relief Center—whose mission is to make long-lasting changes in people’s lives by repairing and rehabilitating substandard housing and providing new housing for very low income families—gathered at the Daniel Island Pierce Park Pavilion on Friday, April 11th for what they call the last (and the best) oyster roast of the season. Whether “shuckers” or “shaggers” or both, guests danced the night away under the beautiful backdrop of the Wando River while listening to the music of the Palmetto Dance Band and crowded elbow-to-elbow around tables for what looked like a neverending oyster supply. The silent auction, featuring artwork from Gallery Chuma, was a huge success.

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Nearly 30,000 runners and walkers crossed the finish line at the 31st Annual Cooper River Bridge Run on April 5. The purpose of the run is to promote fitness, health, and improve quality of life in the Lowcountry.  
 

Since I moved to Charleston three years ago, this is one of the main events that I look forward to every year. It has become an annual ritual for me. I never begin at the starting line.  I get my husband to drop me off at Houston Northcutt (I’m such a cheater) while I wait on the sidewalk for the Kenyans and the rest of the runners to pass. I am always fascinated to see the runners from Kenya leading the pack. They make it seem so easy. I was not surprised to hear that one of them ended up winning in 28 minutes and 47 seconds.
 

When I did decide to join the race, I had to keep my mind focused on something that would help me make it across the finish line. I decided to focus on the creative on the backs of t-shirts. To my surprise this was a great idea. So many people decorated or had t-shirts created that were dedicated to a worthy cause or a loved one. My favorites were those that directed you to a crazy website (I am not going to give anyone a plug here). I even Googled a few of them when I got home.  I really have to commend the guys who wore the oversized cardboard box cars raising awareness and money for Dee Norton Children’s Services.

I ended up finishing in one hour and 45 seconds. I joined the other participants in Marion Square for fruit and muffins provided by BiLo and live entertainment.
To everyone that finished this 6.2-mile course.  Congrats.

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If you are sitting in a room with two other people, the odds are that one of you will get cancer. That statistic, given by whom during what, was top-of-mind during the ASCEND(Anne Scandalios Cancer Ends Now Directive) Foundation’s sixth anniversary gala whose mission is to make ending cancer a national priority.

Beyond the weighty message of the disease’s impact in our lives, guests enjoyed live music by the Coconut Grove Band, a silent auction (I placed a bid for the three, one-hour message in your home with a personal masseuse, but did not win.) cocktails, and delicious food for a wonderful cause. A juice bar was added this year (generously donated by The Sprout) in honor of the late Anne Scandalios who believed healthy eating was a key component to fighting and surviving this horrible disease.
 

The Gabe’s Chemo Duck program was once again recognized for their vision and mission to help families and children learn how to cope with the trauma of the therapy. I asked the ASCEND Foundation’s regional director Kelly Harding about this cuddly pal, and she said “In a gentle manner, Chemo Duck exposes children with cancer to their new life and encourages healing through the power of play therapy.”

Also being recognized for the first time was Dragon Boat Charleston for being South Carolina’s first cancer survivor team. If you don’t know who they are, please check them out at dragonboatcharleston.com. They are an amazing group of 20 paddlers who sit two abreast in a colorful 48-foot vessel while paddling to the beat of a drummer, the heartbeat of the dragon.  May 3rd is the Charleston Dragon Boat Festival.  Don’t miss the fun!
 
Let’s continue to cheer them on.

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