Harry’s Herald
News from Harry C. Bear
We are so happy to provide this newsletter to our Diplomat families,
Firefighters, and community supporters to provide information about
upcoming events, stories and celebrations from Diplomat families, and
education about what CCC does. CCC has been a community organization from
Harry C. Bear is the
mascot for Carolina
Children’s Charity
Volume 1, Issue 1
March 2015
the very beginning. The Charity was created by local volunteers committed to
meeting the needs of local children with birth defects and/or childhood
Like Us on Facebook
diseases. It was founded in October 1987 by a group of experienced and
dedicated local volunteers, many of whom are still very involved with CCC
today. With the dedication and commitment of the Tri-County Fire Chiefs
Association, WCBD NBC 2, Lowcountry firefighters, and many other local
groups, we are able to assist thousands of Lowcountry families when their
child is diagnosed with a birth defect and/or childhood disease. CCC has no
state or national affiliation, and receives no government grants or
reimbursement for services. The Charity relies solely on the generosity of
the community in its fundraising efforts. Governed by a volunteer Board of
Inside this issue:
Directors and staffed by 2 employees, CCC is making a positive impact on the
health needs of children. Since the CCC was founded in 1987, it has provided
assistance to thousands of Lowcountry children with birth defects or other
disabling diseases in services totaling more than $3.9 million. These range
from asthma to cerebral palsy, from juvenile diabetes to cancer, and many
more in between. Carolina Children’s Charity raises funds with two major
special events – the Boot Drive and 5K Run / Family Fun Walk – and with the
help of Lowcountry firefighters and many other groups, we are able to
provide assistance to so many special children in our community.
All money raised here, stays here
Firefighter Spotlight 2
Diplomat Family
Spotlight
2
Funding Spotlight
3
Upcoming Events
3
Firefighter Spotlight
I have been involved the Carolina Children’s Charity since 1997 when we
stood in every street intersection imaginable collecting lots of money for
the charity. Although the rules about collecting on the streets and the
people collecting have changes, my passion for the charity and the children
has stayed the same. Several years ago our station had the great pleasure
of welcoming Deputy Michael Ackerman’s daughter, Sara. Sara was between
14-16 months old when we met and I can still clearly see her sitting on the
kitchen table with her beautiful blonde hair and blue eyes. It did not take
long before several of us rough and tough firefighters were fighting off
tears on how precious this child was sitting before us. We learned from Michael that monies we collected helped Sara continue her music therapy sessions. We have watched Sara grow into the beautiful young girl she is today. It is so important to meet the children we help during the CCC boot drive.
Collecting for CCC has benefited me as much as the grants have helped the children. We can make a
substantial difference in someone's life without them having to call 911.
—Capt. Troy Thomas
Mt. Pleasant Fire Department; C-Shift, Station 1
Diplomat Family Spotlight
“We can make
a substantial
difference in
someone's
life...”
My son, Gabriel has a rare seizure disorder that causes him to have 200-300 seizures a day. He is
seven years old and Carolina Children’s Charity has been helping him since he was about 12 months old.
They have provided grant funding for equipment to keep Gabe safe
and improve his quality of life. For example, CCC provided grant
funding for a food scale to assist with his nutritional needs and a
specialized feeder/activity chair. Most importantly, CCC funded
safety floors in our home. This equipment has enabled Gabe to have
open space and freedom to move around like his peers. I am truly
Gabe Medlin and his sister playing
in his favorite piece of equipment,
his ball pit.
Page 2
grateful for everything CCC has done for Gabe and our family.
— Tiffany Medlin
Harry’s Herald
Funding Spotlight
Music Therapy is the clinical use of music interventions to accomplish
individualized goals within a therapeutic relationship by a credentialed
professional who has completed an approved music therapy program. Music is
used within a therapeutic relationship to address physical, emotional,
cognitive or social needs of individuals. Through musical involvement in the
therapeutic context, clients' abilities are strengthened and also transferred
to other areas of their lives. Music therapy also provides avenues for communication that can be very
helpful to those who find it difficult to express themselves with words. Research in music therapy
supports its effectiveness in many areas such as: overall physical rehabilitation and facilitating
movement, increasing people's motivation to become engaged in their treatment, providing emotional
support for clients and their families, and providing an outlet for expression of feelings.
Plan On It!
March 13th—22nd—28th Annual CCC Boot Drive
March 16th—CC Phone Bank at WCBD
March 16th—Raising Cane’s Live Remote with Rob Fowler; Mt. Pleasant
March 20th from 12:00 to 3:00 pm—2nd Annual NCFD Cornhole Tournament in memory of Jonathan Kennedy; City Hall Back Parking Lot
March 13th—22nd—28th Annual CCC Boot Drive
March 16th—CCC Phone Bank at WCBD
March 16th—Raising Cane’s Live Remote with Rob Fowler; Mt. Pleasant
March 20th from 12:00 to 3:00 pm—2nd Annual NCFD Cornhole Tournament in memory of Jonathan
Kennedy; City Hall Back Parking Lot
March 21st at 11:00 am—Battle of Charleston Harbor—The Wounded Warrior Amputee Softball
Team; Free event at Riverdogs Stadium, Charleston
March 22nd—Boot Drive Finale
March 27th—29th—Summerville FD Collecting at Flowertown Festival
If you would like to show support, make a donation, volunteer please call (843) 769-7555
www.carolinachildren.org
Volume 1, Issue 1
Page 3