Merriment with a Mission

For those of us who don't live there, it's easy to think of Myrtle Beach as an affluent tourist town, where the ultra-rich enjoy frequent, leisurely strolls along the shore and luxurious evenings filled with fine dining, dancing, and other social pleasures. But Bill and Lisa Trinemeyer, managers for Plantation Storage's Myrtle Beach store, know that's not always the case. Like any other community in America, the Myrtle Beach/Carolina Forest area has pockets of poverty. Hardest hit, of course, are the children--many of whom frequently do without even the basics, such as decent clothing, food, and supplies needed for school. Though area public schools are able to provide some assistance, through the federally-funded free-and-reduced lunch program and health care assistance plans like Healthy Learners, these resources are limited. Additional support is desperately needed to see these children through--particularly on weekends, when hunger is a frenquent, unwelcome visitor.

That's where Backpack Buddies comes in. Backpack Buddies is a program launched by Help 4 Kids SC, an organization established in 1989 by caring Horry County citizens who were determined to help Hurricane Hugo survivors put their lives back together following the storm's devastation. During the process, these enterprising individuals met many underprivileged children, struggling for their very survival. So once Help 4 Kids' post-Hugo mission was accomplished, they narrowed their focus to providing basic necessities for children of the working poor in Horry County. These days, Backpack Buddies volunteers pack up over 500 snack packs per week, to be delivered to schools and homes of the area's poverty-stricken children. But these hearty volunteers couldn't succeed without some help. This year, Plantation Storage in Carolina Forest has gladly partnered with the Backpack Buddies program and 23 other local businesses, to host a community scavenger hunt designed to raise funds for the "buddy" backpacks--as well as the food, school supplies, shoes, and clothing needed to fill them.

The scavenger hunt, which is set for September 18, 2010, begins at 10:00 a.m., at Medieval Times, where all the participants in the hunt will sign up and pay a $5.00 entrance fee. Once "hunters" are registered, they will be given maps of the area, so they'll know which businesses to visit along the route, in order to complete their scavenger hunt. Plantation Storage, a designated scavenger hunt checkpoint, will award participants who stop at their store the chance to enter a drawing for a $50 gift card. At the conclusion of the hunt, scavengers will meet back at Medieval Times for the event finale--a festive awards ceremony, complete with music, prizes, and something to munch on, for those so inclined.

If you would like to participate in this event or make a donation to the Backpack Buddies program, please get in touch with Barb Mains of Help 4 Kids SC. Mail-in donations may be directed to: 12053-B Highway 17 Bypass, South Murrells Inlet, South Carolina 29576. Phone-in gifts may be made by calling: 843-651-4310. E-mail questions should be directed to: tmains@sc.rr.com. To learn more about Backpack Buddies or Help 4 Kids SC, check out their website: http://help4kidssc.org/mission.html. For more information on the Medieval Times concluding event, please contact Jennifer Willard by phone: 843-236-4635, extension 2703 or e-mail: jennifer.willard@medievaltimes.com .

And don't forget to join Plantation Storage for the Scavenger Hunt:
WHAT: Backpack Buddies Scavenger Hunt
WHEN: Saturday, September 18th, 10:00 a.m.
WHERE: Medieval Times (2904 Fantasy Way, Myrtle Beach, South Carolina)
WHO: anyone can participate
HOW MUCH: $5 per person
WHY: to clothe, feed, and provide school supplies for impoverished Horry County children

Hope to see YOU there!

Submitted by
Anne Youngblood
Assistant Manager/Public Relations
Hardscrabble Road, Columbia facility

K, C, and the Sunshine Plan

Forest Gump was right. Some things DO naturally go together, "just like peas and carrots." Some people do too. Nowhere is this ever more evident than with our Sparkleberry Lane store's newly-formed management team, comprised of manager Karen Frazier and assistant manager Colleen Wood.

Karen, whose affiliation with Plantation is now in its second year, has been capably "holding down the fort" since early summer, when our dear friend Brad, was lured away by other opportunities. Karen's sixteen years of management experience make her an excellent fit for our service-driven industry in general, and the Plantation family in particular. Though she has California roots, she has clearly cultivated her own brand of Southern charm over the last ten years that she and her family have called the Palmetto State 'home.'

We are also delighted to have Colleen Wood, another former Plantation employee, back on board as the facility's new assistant manager. Colleen left Summerville, South Carolina to join us, and brought with her nearly ten years of experience in self-storage, making her a gold mine of industry knowledge. Her quick, dry wit hints at a possible British heritage, but whether or not she's truly from "across the pond," we may never know. Colleen does, however, admit to being the proud parent of five adult children. When not working, she enjoys spending time with her two canine "children," Panda (a Japanese Chin) and China (a Pekingese).

So why do Karen and Colleen make such a perfect pair? That question is best answered by the Sparkleberry facility's customers, who often comment on this team's cheery good nature, high-quality customer service, and natural ability to coax a smile onto even the grumpiest of faces. One of their customers recently remarked, "Coming to the store each month to pay my bill is a special treat. Every time I leave, it's with a smile on my face. Those girls are like a ray of sunshine in my day!"

By Anne Youngblood, Assistant Manager
Hardscrabble Road facility, Columbia, SC

Hardscrabble to Host "Deal, Squeal, Meal, and Heal" Event

The kids are back in school in Columbia, and our Hardscrabble Road store is celebrating with its Fall Yard Sale and Back-to-School Bash! Be sure to join our crew on Saturday, September, 18, 2010, from 9:00am until 2:00pm for this fun, annual event.

Area Boy Scouts will kick off the day, welcoming sellers, shoppers, students, teachers, and other community guests. You can get started shopping at 9:00 with one of the many vendors who will be on site that day. Sellers will be joined shortly thereafter by officers of the Richland County Sheriff's Department (including the famous 9-foot-tall deputy!), who will register children for the Kid ID child safety program and show off their cool DARE truck.

When lunchtime rolls around, there's no need to go out or head home for your mid-day meal. Mr. Sam Caskey, award winning grill-master, will begin selling his mouth-watering barbeque at 11:00am. Advance orders, which may be purchased at the store for only $5 each, include: a barbeque pork sandwich, fresh homemade cole slaw, chips, and a drink of your choice. The day-of-sale price is $6 per plate.

Plantation will also unveil its brand-new "Color the City" coloring book at the extravaganza. This unique work of art features original, black line sketches of Columbia's most prominent landmarks, created by art students from Ridge View High School, under the guidance of their talented teacher, Mr. Chris Nostrant. A true collaboration between Ridge View and Plantation, these coloring books will be presented as gifts to new elementary school students in the Northeast Columbia community. Plantation Storage and its commercial customers also look forward to honoring the hard-working students and teachers of Northeast Columbia with door prizes, which will be awarded throughout the day.

And in recognition of those in our community who need a little extra help, Plantation is leading the charge by accepting donations for two different groups throughout the day:

* We are well aware that, with the recent economic downturn, many children in the Northeast Columbia community may have started school this year without the supplies they need to succeed. This being the case, Plantation is working to help these young learners by accepting school supply donations, which will be given to public schools in the area for distribution. For a list of supplies or to find out how you can help, please call or drop by our office on 4411 Hardscrabble Road any day during business hours (Monday through Saturday, 9am-6pm).

* Our Columbia stores are once again thrilled to partner with The Muscular Dystrophy Association in the battle against numerous degenerative muscular diseases. We encourage you to join us, by dropping off a cash or check (made payable to MDA). Those who do so will be added to our "MDA Wall of Fame," at the store. For additional details about what you can do to support this year's campaign, feel free to call either of our Columbia locations: (Sparkleberry store) 803-699-6600 or (Hardscrabble store) 803-865-8535.

So whether you're looking to make a deal, hear a squeal (of excitement), grab a great meal, or help someone heal, we have it all for you during Plantation Storage's Fall Yard Sale and Back-to-School Bash!

By Anne Youngblood, Assistant Manager
Hardscrabble Road facility, Columbia, SC

Ball's In Our Court

As self storage professionals, we have become accustomed to a constant state of transition. Customers come and go all the time as they work through major life changes such as moving from one home to another, adjusting to a military change of station, or dealing with excess personal property acquired after the passing of a loved one.

So when we face changes ourselves, we tend to “roll with the punches,” as they say. Such is the case at our Bluffton facility, which welcomed its newest team member, Elaine Ball, late last month. A long-time friend of Plantation Storage and Southeast Management Company, Elaine comes to us from Knoxville, Tennessee, though her roots lie in Virginia Beach, where she has spent most of her adult life.

With over 15 years in management—several of which were specific to property management—it is easy to appreciate why she was chosen to fill the vacancy. Though only less than a month into her new role, Ms. Ball’s years of experience in the industry are already proving indispensable. Though she enjoys and feels most comfortable with the managerial aspects of her job, one of her favorite parts of the new position is the opportunity to work with people.

The facility’s co-manager, Maureen Letendre, who has worked with the company off-and-on ever since the Chase family acquired the facility, is also a recent hire, coming back to work after taking a few years off for family. Originally a native of New York, Maureen now calls Sun City home.

So to Elaine and Maureen, from the rest of the Plantation family, we extend a hearty "Welcome (or welcome back). We’re thrilled you’re here!"

By Anne Youngblood, Assistant Manager
Hardscrabble Road facility, Columbia, SC

Here We Grow Again!

The sweltering heat of summer may have slowed progress for some folks, but not for Plantation Storage. The latest round of construction at our Myrtle Beach store has been moving right along and will soon be complete. Responding to overwhelming customer demand, Plantation’s newest facility is adding forty-nine more units—all in the most popular sizes. When asked about the expansion, site manager Bill Trinemeyer remarked, “More and more people are making their way south to enjoy life at the beach. Transitions like these are often accompanied by an increased need for storage space, which is why our smaller units have been renting like hotcakes! We are thrilled to be able to provide more space for our new friends moving into the Carolina Forest area and surrounding communities.”

Upon completion, the new addition will offer a total of thirty-three climate-controlled spaces and sixteen standard ones, ranging in size from 5’x5’ (25 square feet) to 10’x15’ (150 square feet). This latest project is the second of five phases of construction the facility has planned to meet the ever-expanding needs of Myrtle Beach customers. Bill’s wife and co-manager, Lisa, shares her husband’s enthusiasm about the facility’s growth, “The new building should be finished sometime around the end of the month. We are very excited about it and can hardly wait to meet all our new neighbors here at Carolina Forest!”

By Anne Youngblood, Assistant Manager
Hardscrabble Road facility, Columbia, SC

Our Hidden Hero

In spite of a faltering economy and ever-expanding unemployment rate, the Southeast Management/ Plantation Storage family is standing strong--refusing to waiver from its commitment to offer the high-quality self storage, a wide selection of packing supplies, exceptional customer service, and expert property management for which it is so well known.

This "customers come first" approach actually has its roots with SEM/Plantation's home office team, made up of owner Charles Chase and chief financial officer, Wendy Ashburn. In spite of his "captain of the (company) ship" position, Mr. Chase confesses that much of Southeast Management’s success is attributable to Mrs. Ashburn’s behind-the-scenes efforts. For more than two decades, Wendy has served as Charles’ “gal Friday,” attending to a myriad of administrative details such as: financial resources analysis and oversight, human resources and payroll, and various other office management tasks.

Staff members at the four company-owned facilities clearly appreciate Ms. Ashburn’s helpfulness and dedication as well. Colleen Wood, long-time relief manager for the Sparkleberry Lane facility in Columbia, recently gushed, “Wendy is an absolute sweetheart! She's extremely knowledgeable, highly competent, unfailingly helpful, and has a marvelous sense of humor. No matter what we need, she's always ready and willing to help.” Vice President of Operations, March Chase, echoes these sentiments, describing Wendy as “a great sounding board,” who is “wiser than all of us put together.”

Though it hasn’t always been easy to juggle the many responsibilities required by her position with the company, that doesn’t seem to be a deterrent for Ms. Ashburn, who readily admits that facing and conquering new challenges is her very favorite part of the job. Now you know why we call Wendy the "hidden hero" of Southeast Management Company and Plantation Storage!

By Anne Youngblood, Assistant Manager
Hardscrabble Road facility, Columbia, SC