Lake Carolina Gives $17,000 to Charity

Lake Carolina 2014 Events Raise $17,000 for Children’s Charities of the Midlands

COLUMBIA, SC –  Lake Carolina’s annual Polar Bear Plunge, Oyster Roast and Wine & Food Festival events raised money for Children’s Charities and made it possible to donate $17,000 to local organizations this year .  Proceeds from the events benefitted Children’s Charities of the Midlands, Lake Carolina’s non-profit charity organization, from then which two special charities were chosen.

Palmetto Health Children’s Hospital received $10,000 for their Camp Wonder Hands program.  Wouldn’t the world be a better place if every child got to go to camp? That is the dream at Camp Wonder Hands. Created specifically for children who are deaf and hard-of-hearing, Camp Wonder Hands provides an environment that celebrates the unique culture of these beautiful youngsters.  Consider the value of this setting. Deaf and hard-of-hearing children are the majority – perhaps for the first time in their lives. Successful, confident adults who share their challenges serve as counselors and role models. Every day, in every activity, their beautifully expressive language is celebrated. Add to this the many benefits of a summer camp experience, and it’s easy to see why Camp Wonder Hands has grown so remarkably.

Marolyn Amick knows the isolation these children sometimes feel. A former Child Life Specialist at Palmetto Health Children’s Hospital, Marolyn is hard-of-hearing and has a child who is deaf. In 1996, she began a summer program in her home. Seven deaf and hard-of-hearing children came to her house eachMonday – Marolyn’s day off. People from the community embraced the idea and offered their help.

Today, Camp Wonder Hands is a five-day, four-night camp for children ages 7-15. Held at Camp Kinard, near Batesburg- Leesville, the camp is a program of Palmetto Health Children’s Hospital. Each camper attends on a scholarship provided by Children’s Hospital or private, civic and corporate donations. There is no cost to the family.

Abundant Life Lending Library in Lake Carolina received $7,000 from the 2014 fundraising events in Lake Carolina.  The additional funds will help Columbia area children receive equipment to recover from devastating illnesses and accidents.  Columbia did not have a durable medical equipment library before Kathleen Ganley opened.  Abundant Life Equipment Lending Library, located at the Village Green at Lake Carolina, was established in October 2010 to meet this need.

 “It’s only fitting that a portion of funds raised during this year’s events would go to help one of the organizations located in our own Village Green,” said David Tuttle, President Lake Carolina. “We appreciate Kathleen’s dedication to improving the lives of our neighbors and children throughout the Midlands.”