When an auto accident happens unexpectedly, anyone can become a victim. One moment you're commuting back home after a long day at the office. The next, your car is totaled, and you're injured in the hospital due to another person's negligence. It's not fair, but it happens every day. Unlike the irresponsible party who caused the accident, personal injury victims often suffer the most in auto accidents. They have to worry about lost days at work, the long road to recovery, and the inability to provide for their family. Sadly, many people injured in car accidents don't have the luxury of worrying about bills because they're fighting for life in the emergency room.
And while modern cars come equipped with safety features like blind spot monitoring and cross-traffic alerts, motor vehicle accidents are still a huge problem in South Carolina. According to the South Carolina Department of Public Safety, in 2020, one person was injured every 11 minutes in a car collision. Even worse, one fatal collision was recorded every 9.1 hours.
Unfortunately, victims of auto accident negligence often don't know what to do when another driver hits them. They have questions like:
These same innocent people provide official statements to insurance agencies without knowing the consequences.
However, if you or your loved ones are victims in a car crash, there's good news. Laws in South Carolina mandate that guilty parties must compensate for pain and suffering. But in order to get the compensation you deserve, it's crucial to work with a personal injury attorney in Hanahan, SC. Experienced personal injury lawyers know how to bolster your case by securing witnesses for questioning, obtaining accident scene information, and documenting vehicle damage. If these tasks aren't completed quickly, you are far less likely to receive the compensation you and your family deserve.
Theos Law Firm exists to fight for your rights and to ensure negligent drivers are held responsible for the damage they do to your family. It's really that simple. We aren't afraid to trade blows with selfish insurance agencies. Because, unlike Theos Law Firm, they couldn't care less about your best interests.
Here are just a few reasons why so many hardworking people choose Theos Law Firm:
When you're involved in a car or truck accident, it can be a life-changing event. Having represented hundreds of personal injury victims, we understand that you may be confused and frightened. You know you need to speak with a lawyer, but you need a calm, cool presence to ease your anxiety. You need someone who understands what you're enduring, and we know how you feel. Unlike other auto accident attorneys, we believe that personal injury claims are more about the people involved and less about money and settlements. When you reach out to Theos Law Firm, you can rest easy knowing our team will treat you with dignity, compassion, and empathy.
With many years of combined personal injury experience, there's nothing that our team hasn't seen in terms of auto accidents. With that said, we understand that there is no "common" type of accident or scenario - no two accidents are the same. We have represented clients involved in DUI accidents, truck rollovers, reckless drivers, interstate pileups, rear-end collisions, and even Uber driver crashes. With such extensive experience, our team has the tools and talent to take care of you, regardless of how complicated your case might be.
The recovery process involved with automobile accidents changes with every person we represent. There are dozens of details to account for, from car repairs to insurance questions and everything in between. These small but necessary details aren't easy to accomplish for injured parties. That's why our team goes the extra mile to help cut through the red tape to ensure your medical bills are paid, and your car gets fixed. The less weight you have on your shoulders to worry about, the faster you can focus on recovering.
Unlike other personal injury law firms, our team is 100% committed to protecting your rights, and we're uniquely positioned to do so with decades of combined experience. We offer robust representation for many types of auto accidents, including:
If you have been the victim of an accident listed above, please understand that time is of the essence. There is limited time to seek compensation for your injuries, hospital bills, lost wages, and more. As such, there is only a short time to obtain experienced representation for your personal injury case.
Our team knows that finding the right attorney to represent you is an important choice. Therefore, we believe that an initial consultation is imperative to understand your needs and identify your goals fully. When we sit down with you to learn the nuances of your accident, we'll cover all aspects of South Carolina law pertaining to your case. That way, you're armed with information and have an idea of the next steps our firm will take to represent you.
Remember - the sooner we can dig into the details of your case, the sooner we can pursue your rightful compensation. As seasoned personal injury attorneys, our team specializes in several types of automobile accidents:
Car accidents are a serious problem in South Carolina. If you're an adult, you probably know someone involved in a bad car crash in our state. When you look at the stats, it seems like car accidents are always on the rise. One person was killed every 8.2 hours in a car collision. Even more sobering is that one teen driver is involved in a fatal or injury-causing collision every 1.6 hours. The unfortunate truth is that many people involved in car crashes were hurt due to the other driver's negligence.
Common car crash injuries in South Carolina include:
Car accident victims in South Carolina are often left to pay their medical bills but can't do so because they're too hurt to go to work or take their car in for repair. These life-changing scenarios can snowball into a series of scary events, leaving victims hopeless and unsure where to turn.
Fortunately, a car accident attorney in Hanahan, SC can help you avoid these pitfalls and obtain the money you need to survive. At Theos Law Firm, our team has a deep understanding of the rules that dictate fault in South Carolina. We know that thorough representation is needed to receive maximum compensation, and we're well-prepared to achieve that goal for you.
Our car accident lawyers in South Carolina can recover compensation for injuries and damages:
The moments following the crash are often a blur when you're involved in a car accident. However, per South Carolina law, those on the scene must adhere to legal responsibilities and obligations.
First, try to stop your car and ensure it is positioned safely near the scene of the crash. Then, call 911 to report the accident. While most folks go into full-blown panic mode, you need to stay calm so you can process the situation. If you notice that there are injured people, give them "reasonable assistance." Per South Carolina Code of Laws, that could include transporting hurt people to a hospital or calling an ambulance for them.
If you're in a car crash, you need to be prepared to exchange contact information with other drivers at the accident scene. If the person who caused the collision is present, make sure to get their name, phone number, address, and insurance info. If witnesses are present, get their contact info, too, in case our team needs to obtain their account later.
Next, try to piece together how the car crash happened. This is an appropriate time to take photos of the cars, wreckage, and debris. Ask yourself if you think a vehicle failed to follow the rules of the road, like speeding or failing to stop at a stop sign.
Regardless of how minor your injuries may appear and who may be to blame for the accident, get legal advice from Theos Law Firm first before giving any recorded statements or refusing medical care.
Tractor-trailer and semi-truck crashes are often more complicated than two car crashing. Because these cases are more complex and nuanced, it's imperative that you contact a truck accident attorney in Hanahan, SC to help you through the recovery process and win the compensation you deserve.
After a semi-truck crash, you must take steps quickly to preserve evidence so that the crash may be recreated. In serious semi-truck accidents where people are injured or killed, trucking companies usually send a team of investigators to the accident site immediately. These investigators will do their best to obtain evidence that can hurt you in court or even attempt to hide or destroy evidence. The last thing a trucking company wants is for you to win a settlement against them.
That's especially true since various entities may be liable for your truck accident injury, not just the driver. The trucking company, the trucking manufacturer, and the team responsible for truck maintenance could also be responsible. Additionally, if dangerous or inadequate road conditions factor into your accident, you could actually sue some government departments. For those reasons, it's critical to retain quality representation ASAP after a truck accident in South Carolina.
At Theos Law Firm, our team has experience winning compensation in many types of truck accidents, such as:
As your truck accident lawyer in South Carolina, we work hard to fight for your rights and win your case. In order to do so, our team will:
We'll arrive on-scene to notate skid mark length and the locations of vehicles involved. We will also capture detailed pictures and measurements pertinent to your crash.
Obtaining the trucking company's records and discovering the info they have on the semi-truck driver involved is an important part of our process. We will also secure access to the trucker's driving log notes, which they must maintain according to law.
Like airplanes and helicopters, big rigs have a "black box" that records real-time truck data, like speeds, changes in direction, and brake application.
We'll arrive on-scene to notate skid mark length and the locations of vehicles involved. We will also capture detailed pictures and measurements pertinent to your crash.
Sometimes an expert is needed to digest all the evidence and provide an expert opinion on the cause of the semi-truck collision. When needed, our team will hire such an expert to ensure your case is robust and air-tight.
We will obtain the police's investigation report and any accident photos, measurements, or other documentation taken by officers while investigating your semi-truck crash.
It's imperative to find all the witnesses of your accident and interview them to get recorded statements in a timely manner. Doing otherwise may result in faded memories and inaccurate facts.
Time and again, auto accident victims agree to early settlements provided by insurance companies because the offer seems like a lot. But what if you return to work after recovering from an accident, only for your pain to return?
With adjusters, lawyers, and investigators at their disposal, insurance agencies will do everything in their power to minimize the compensation you deserve. Don't let them pick on you or silence your voice. If you or a loved are victims of a negligent car or truck accident in South Carolina, contact Theos Law Firm today. We have the team, tools, and experience to fight back on your behalf, no matter how complicated your case may seem.
To schedule an appointment for your free consultation, contact Theos Law Firm in Hanahan today.
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HANAHAN, S.C. (WCSC) - The Hanahan Fire Department says a Monday afternoon fire is under control
In a tweet from the city, crews responded to the 6200 block of Murray Drive around 11:30 a.m. Monday for a structure fire.
A follow-up tweet just after noon said crews had the fire under control.
Officials said Murray Drive would remain closed while crews removed hoses.
The city is asking people to avoid the area.
There was no immediate word on injuries.
This is a developing story. Check back for updates.
Crews from the #Hanahan Fire Department are actively working a structure fire in the area of Murray Dr and John Rutledge. Please avoid the area. pic.twitter.com/nlX0ST48bB
— City of Hanahan (@CityofHanahan) July 17, 2023
Copyright 2023 WCSC. All rights reserved.
Baseball757Teamz Top 15#6 Menchville 8, Kecoughtan 2WP: Davis (4-0). LP: Boyd.Joseph Helmsderfer was 2 for 3 with a double, two runs and an RBI for the Monarchs (10-0). Chance Jones and James Blotter each had a hit, a run and an RBI.Norfolk Academy 8, #13 Nansemond-Suffolk Academy 7WP: Winn. LP: McGhee.Matt Camardella was 4 for 5, and Jack Gross reached base six times.#11 Greenbrier Christian 11, Massapequa (New York) 5WP: Langston. LP: V...
Baseball
757Teamz Top 15
#6 Menchville 8, Kecoughtan 2
WP: Davis (4-0). LP: Boyd.
Joseph Helmsderfer was 2 for 3 with a double, two runs and an RBI for the Monarchs (10-0). Chance Jones and James Blotter each had a hit, a run and an RBI.
Norfolk Academy 8, #13 Nansemond-Suffolk Academy 7
WP: Winn. LP: McGhee.
Matt Camardella was 4 for 5, and Jack Gross reached base six times.
#11 Greenbrier Christian 11, Massapequa (New York) 5
WP: Langston. LP: Vilardi.
Thomas Conrad, Dylan Wood and Payton Shipman hit home runs as the Gators finished a 4-0 week and won the Hanahan Invitational Tournament in Charleston, South Carolina. Shipman was named the tournament MVP.
#12 Maury 4, Canfield (Ohio) 3
WP: Gillespie. LP: Patellis.
Brian Jones collected seven strikeouts over five innings as the Commodores won a game at the Ripken Experience in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Brycen Hamilton hit the winning sacrifice fly, scoring Jack Bonney on a field modeled after New York’s historic Polo Grounds.
Non-district
Bayside 3, Hickory 1
Ethan Blakeney had two hits and two RBIs for the Marlins. Will Cox collected three hits.
Catholic 11, Grafton (West Virginia) 5
WP: Marfeo (2-1).
Joe Norman went 4 for 4 with three RBIs and scored twice at the Mingo Bay Classic in Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Alex Chalfant and Anthony Tortorice had three hits apiece. The Crusaders improved to 3-0 in pool play.
Landstown 7, St. Maria Goretti (Maryland) 3
WP: Hogan. LP: Fuller.
Trey Campos and Cameron Tellefsen each had two RBIs for the Eagles, who went into the seventh inning trailing 2-1 but erupted for six runs to beat a team from Hagerstown at the Mingo Bay Classic. Zach Blevins added two hits for Landstown.
Softball
757Teamz Top 15
#2 Kellam 8, #3 Grassfield 1
Ava McMichael started in the pitching circle for the Knights, and Abby Adamek came in to secure the win at the 11th annual Jazmine Foreman Memorial Scholarship Tournament at Grassfield. Chloe Jackson led the Knights’ offensive charge, going 4 for 5 with two RBIs. McMichael added three hits, and Karly Boone had two hits.
#2 Kellam 10, Currituck (North Carolina) 0
Sydney Harris and Hannah Lebert led the Knights with two hits each. Grace Andes had one hit and three RBIs. Abby Adamek pitched for Kellam, striking out 10.
#3 Grassfield 6, Currituck (North Carolina) 1
WP: Harford (1-0). LP: Rumanzek.
Cydney LaFon was 2 for 3 with three RBIs for the Grizzlies. EG Hatcher was 2 for 3 and Emma Joy was 1 for 2. Chase Harford gained the victory.
#6 Nansemond-Suffolk Academy 15, Norfolk Academy 0
WP: Smith. LP: Bandy.
Ellie Benes and Addy Smith combined for the shutout in a 2 1/2-inning game. Benes and Smith also combined for five hits and seven RBIs.
Anderson County (Kentucky) 2, #7 Greenbrier Christian 1
A team from Lawrenceburg, Kentucky, edged the Gators at the Grand Strand Softball Classic in North Myrtle Beach, South Carolina. Pitcher Haleigh Murphy (3-3) took the loss.
Menchville 8, #12 Kecoughtan 7
WP: Richardson (5-1). LP: Ackerman.
Kinsey Knapp hit her fourth and fifth home runs of the season and had four RBIs to lead the offense for Menchville, which beat the Warriors for the second time in three days. Dylan Dziechiarz and Leann Vo also had multiple hits for the Monarchs (8-1). Lynlea Boone homered for Kecoughtan (7-2) in a back-and-forth game for first place in the Peninsula District.
Bay Rivers District
Gloucester 18, Woodside 1
WP: Bowden. LP: Davis.
Kaia Hutton was 3 for 3 with three RBIs, and Sadie Bowden was 2 for 4 with two RBIs for the host Dukes in the 4 1/2-inning game.
Peninsula District
Bethel 17, Denbigh 2
WP: Gray. LP: Baranowski.
Taylor Gray, Kayla Harmon, Skylar Dyke, Maddy Morris and Madi Fortune all had multiple hits for the Bruins. Gray, who pitched 4 2/3 innings, was 4 for 4.
Warwick 14, Hampton 0
Yanaiya Burke and Tanaysha Dixon each singled and drove in a run, and Nataleigh Gabriel had an RBI.
Private schools
Isle of Wight Academy 23, Norfolk Collegiate 0
Boys soccer
Bay Rivers District
Lafayette 0, Bruton 0
Liam Ferguson made three saves for Bruton (5-1-1, 1-1-1 Bay Rivers), while Clark Canova made five saves for Lafayette (1-5-2).
Girls soccer
757Teamz Top 15
#7 Norfolk Academy 7, Nansemond-Suffolk Academy 1
G-Norfolk Academy, Hennessy 3, Bosma, Delyannis 2, Scott; NSA, Edwards.
Addy Hennessy had a hat trick and Maria Delyannis contributed two goals for the Bulldogs. The Saints’ Meredith Edwards scored a penalty kick in the final minute.
Peninsula District
Kecoughtan 3, Bethel 3
The Warriors’ goals came from Arianna Carr, Ellery Lapointe and Maya Winters. Belma Tihic scored all three for the Bruins, though Kursten Clark had 15 saves for Kecoughtan.
Private schools
Norfolk Christian 3, Summit Christian Academy 0
Paige Milligan had two goals for the Ambassadors. Caroline Bishard added a goal and Elise Marsh had an assist.
Norfolk Collegiate 7, StoneBridge 0
Jillian Reed had a hat trick, and goals from Mary Bradley Howlett, Erin Sullivan, Maya Dixon and Jordyn Adams also sparked the Oaks.
Boys lacrosse
Private schools
Norfolk Academy 16, Nansemond-Suffolk Academy 2
G-Norfolk Academy, Doyle 4, Rhoades 3, Violette 2, Janney 2, Husson, Payne, Ott, Hnath, Snyder; NSA, Yates, Jensen.
Kaleb Doyle’s four goals and Connor Rhoades’ three guided the Bulldogs.
Boys tennis
Bay Rivers District
Grafton 5, Bruton 4
Rainer Christiansen, John Cloud, Nathan Chan, Alec Denny and Noah Mitchell won in singles to lift the Clippers, who substituted in doubles.
Jamestown 9, Warhill 0
The Eagles lost no more than three games in any match against the Lions (2-6).
Tabb 7, Lafayette 2
Nicolas Crespo, Matthew Wornom, Jacob Dunster and Gus Alston won in straight sets in singles for the Tigers, who swept three doubles pro-sets.
York 7, Poquoson 2
Roman Vander Kooi, Austin Linsk, Brooks Morgan and Reece Zabler earned singles and doubles victories for the Falcons. Cole McDade took the Islanders’ only singles triumph.
Private schools
Norfolk Academy 9, Nansemond-Suffolk Academy 0
The Bulldogs continued to dominate the TCIS.
Girls tennis
Bay Rivers District
Jamestown 9, Warhill 0
The Eagles improved to 8-0 by beating their Williamsburg-area rivals.
Poquoson 7, York 2
Maddie Wyatt won her match in a hard-fought two sets and Ava Cook also won in straight sets for the Islanders.
Daily high school schedules for Hampton Roads public school teams are available at the following district links:
HANAHAN, S.C. —Milan Turner has Carolina on his mind.Turner, who was head coach at three different Georgia high schools, has been named the new head coach at Hanahan High School in South Carolina.Turner had successful head coaching stints at Emanuel County Institute (2005-2010), Thomson (2011-2013) and Veterans (2018-2021). He served as the director of high school relations for the Georgia Southern football program in 2022.Thank you to Coach Helton, Staff, Players, Administration...
HANAHAN, S.C. —
Milan Turner has Carolina on his mind.
Turner, who was head coach at three different Georgia high schools, has been named the new head coach at Hanahan High School in South Carolina.
Turner had successful head coaching stints at Emanuel County Institute (2005-2010), Thomson (2011-2013) and Veterans (2018-2021). He served as the director of high school relations for the Georgia Southern football program in 2022.
Thank you to Coach Helton, Staff, Players, Administration and Eagle Nation for an exciting journey this year. Thank you for letting me be a small part of something Special! The future is bright at Georgia Southern, You ain’t seen nothin’ yet! #GATA #HailSouthern pic.twitter.com/yaTU5ZqoUv
— Milan Turner (@MilanTurner_GS) January 25, 2023
Turner compiled a 112-43 record over 13 seasons as a head coach in the Peach State. He would lead Emanuel County Institute to 65 wins and a state championship in 2007. The Bulldogs would finish GHSA Class A runner-up in 2008.
“We are elated to welcome Coach Turner to the Hawk family,” Hanahan High Principal Tom Gallus said. “Our community is very fortunate to have a coach of this caliber to lead and develop our student-athletes on and off the field. Coach Turner is a proven educator and leader. He knows what it takes to build a successful high school football program and to ensure that each student is prepared for their next steps after high school. I look forward to serving alongside Coach Turner and seeing our Hawks shine under the Friday night lights.”
Turner takes over a Hanahan program that went 6-4 in 2022. He replaces interim coach Steve Blanchard, who took over after Art Craig stepped away and eventually retired.
Turner has been an educator since 1994. Prior to becoming a head coach, he spent time as an assistant at several Georgia schools. Turner has coached in six GHSA state championship games during his time at five different Georgia high schools.
He has been named the North/South All-Star Head Coach, Region Coach of the Year, Atlanta Touchdown Club Class A Coach of the Year, GACA Class A State Coach of the Year, and was selected to coach in the 2008 Under Armour national all-star game.
Science Applications International Corp. is expanding its existing operations in Hanahan with a $26 million investment in a new facility at North Pointe Commerce Park.SAIC, headquartered in Reston, Va., provides technical, engineering, intelligence and IT services to the federal governme...
Science Applications International Corp. is expanding its existing operations in Hanahan with a $26 million investment in a new facility at North Pointe Commerce Park.
SAIC, headquartered in Reston, Va., provides technical, engineering, intelligence and IT services to the federal government for diplomatic and military operations. The company currently has platform integration and production operations facilities at 5617 N. Rhett Ave. in North Charleston and a few miles up North Rhett at 7410 Magi Road in Hanahan.
The new facility, at 1017 North Pointe Industrial Blvd. in Hanahan, around the corner from the Magi Road location, will be its largest in the Charleston area.
Robert Carruthers, vice president of platform integration, said the impetus to open this new facility was a contract it signed with the Marines to upgrade its assault amphibious vehicles, to improve the vehicles’ survivability on the battlefield.
“We’re taking the opportunity because it just simply made sense based on the growth in this area and the amount of work we had to have a new facility and really design it from the ground up to optimize this kind of work,” Carruthers said. “Our current facilities were legacy facilities that we’ve had for many years doing this kind of work, but they weren’t originally designed for it.”
CEO Tony Moraco said in a statement, “SAIC has a long legacy of doing business in South Carolina. This investment is directly tied to the expansion of our platform integration operations and is a critical component of our long-term strategy.”
Construction on the new facility is expected to be completed by the end of the year, and SAIC expects its expansion to create 200 jobs over the next five years. The Coordinating Council for Economic Development has approved job development credits for the project.
“We are excited that SAIC will be expanding its operation and bringing hundreds of quality jobs to the city of Hanahan,” Hanahan Mayor Minnie Newman said in a statement. “Most importantly, we are proud that Hanahan continues to be a destination for companies that provide critical support services to the United States military.”
Carruthers said SAIC currently has enough work to support three Charleston-area facilities, but the company has the ability to consolidate its operations into the new, larger facility in the future. He said, though, that the company doesn’t have to decide about consolidation now.
“Honestly, I anticipate some of those legacy buildings no matter what, just simply because of the volume of work we have,” he said.
HANAHAN — A parade of emergency response vehicles and a school bus were the first to drive a newly opened mile-long stretch of Railroad Avenue, a road project recently completed after years of work.The extension runs from Mabeline Road to Eagle Landing Boulevard, adding a two-lane roadway along the eastern side of the existing CSX rail line, with a sidewalk along one side of the road.Though only a mile, the new stretch connects the northwest corner of the city, where several neighborhoods and Hanahan Elementary School are...
HANAHAN — A parade of emergency response vehicles and a school bus were the first to drive a newly opened mile-long stretch of Railroad Avenue, a road project recently completed after years of work.
The extension runs from Mabeline Road to Eagle Landing Boulevard, adding a two-lane roadway along the eastern side of the existing CSX rail line, with a sidewalk along one side of the road.
Though only a mile, the new stretch connects the northwest corner of the city, where several neighborhoods and Hanahan Elementary School are, to the rest of the city, said Mayor Christie Rainwater.
Prior to the extension, drivers had to take a roundabout route and cross the railroad tracks twice.
“In order to get to the Eagle Landing ... part of the city, you actually had to leave the city, cross over the railroad tracks, go to another city (North Charleston), and then go down Rivers Avenue, cross back over the railroad tracks and get back into (Hanahan),” she said. “So obviously it was inconvenient to say the least.”
It was also completed after more than two decades of delays, which ballooned the cost from a $4 million federal earmark in the 1990s to more than $20 million by the time the county broke ground on the project in 2021.
Berkeley County’s 1 percent sales tax to pay for infrastructure contributed more than $16 million to the funding.
Officials said the delays were due to a number of bureaucratic hurdles and discussions between the county, the S.C. Department of Transportation and CSX, all of which had to review and approve various aspects of the project. Funding issues contributed as well, Rainwater said — the longer other delays took, the more expensive the project became and the more time it took to secure further funding.
Town and county officials held a ribbon cutting for the road extension on March 17, with a cohort of former mayors and other public officials in attendance such as former U.S. Rep. Henry Brown, who helped secure the initial federal earmark. Officials, local emergency responders and other attendees took to the school bus and emergency vehicles to drive through a blue ribbon and up the mile of road.
NORTH CHARLESTON — As dusk fell the Saturday before Halloween, a coven of witches paraded through Park Circle, donning conical black hats and dark-colored clothing.
Instead of casting mischievous spells, this group of friendly witches passed out candy to children in the neighborhood.
Known as the Park Circle Witches Ride, this annual Halloween event focused on bringing the community together for an entertaining evening while supporting a cause. Each year, the event raises money for the Carolina Youth Development Center, an organization that supports foster children.
The event raised $900 this year, bringing the total to $6,000 since the witches ride started five years ago.
Cruising through Oak Terrace Preserve and nearby neighborhoods, the group of 30 witches rode bicycles decorated as broomsticks and golf carts with string lights, shouting “Happy Halloween” as they passed out candy to children standing outside their homes.
Some golf carts had skeletons as passengers, and there was even a headless horseman riding a bike with a plastic pumpkin mask over his face.
Sarah Cross, an Oak Terrace Preserve resident, drove a festive golf cart with purple Halloween-themed garland and pumpkin decorations during her third witches ride. She continues to be involved in the event each year because it’s a form of outreach in the community across various neighborhoods.
“We love to do anything that’s going to bring the kids out,” said Cross.
Laura Kate Whitney, a Park Circle resident who started the witches ride five years ago, had seen similar events in other cities and wanted to emulate the experience for her neighbors.
“It’s really an opportunity to bring community together in a really fun way and to do something like that, there had to be a beneficiary,” said Whitney.
Since CYDC’s North Charleston campus is close to her neighborhood, she used the witches ride as an opportunity to bring awareness to the organization. The witches were encouraged to raise money for the nonprofit, but it wasn’t a requirement to participate.
One aspect of CYDC’s services includes residential group homes in North Charleston and Berkeley County where children stay if they are in need of a safe place to live. The North Charleston campus was the first stop of the witches ride to ensure the children at the CYDC home received candy.
Another facet of the organization is to provide preventative services for families in crisis, such as the Strengthening Families program where a family success coach works with parents and children to help stabilize the family, said Joseph Mooradian, the director of development at CYDC.
“We’re really looking in the future at adopting more of a preventative method of community-based intervention, making sure that we get the families in crisis before the kid is taken out of the home,” said Mooradian.
Over the last several years, Whitney said the witches ride has become a tradition for families in the neighborhood. She said one mother told her that her elementary-aged daughter looks forward to making her broom and costume for the event each year.
While Whitney has goals of continuing to grow the witches ride, she wants to make sure it’s as easy as possible for participants to be involved.
“My only hope is that we successfully raised money and people had fun, and I think we’ve been able to achieve that over the last couple of years,” said Whitney.