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
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