Monthly Archives: November 2010
United Christian Ministries helps others in time of need
By Nicole Daughhetee
Staff Reporter
COUNTY — With Thanksgiving and Christmas right around the corner, many people are thinking about celebrations, family feasts, shopping, gift giving, traveling or snuggling with loved ones by a cozy fire. According to the most recent US Census data, 16.5 percent of the people in Pickens County are currently living below the poverty level, and, realistically, this figure is even higher when you consider the number of people who might not have participated in the census survey.
During the economic crisis that has and continues to plague our country, there are many people, families and children who will not be planning holiday celebrations because they are focused on ensuring that their most basic of needs — shelter, food, clothing and warmth throughout the winter months — are met.
Fortunately for many, there are organizations in Pickens County that were established and designed to help those in need. United Christian Ministries, located at 303 Dacusville Highway, in Easley, is one such organization working diligently to help struggling people in Pickens County.
Founded in 1989, United Christian Ministries (UCM) was developed as an extension of the local churches to serve people in need. UCM is an emergency assistance program that works in cooperation with Clemson Community Care, located in Clemson, and receives support from churches, the United Way of Pickens County, various different businesses and organizations, and generous individuals who support their ministry.
In times of crisis, many individuals and families look to churches for assistance because churches function to minister to others. UCM was created so that those in need would have a central location to visit for assistance instead of going from church to church. UCM has a dedicated team of volunteers who are able to focus their time specifically on this ministry, where before this duty often fell on the shoulders of church secretaries who already have full-time responsibilities to church operations.
Teresa Nash, Executive Director of United Christian Ministries, explained that UCM partnered with the Samaritan Health Clinic (a clinic that provides health care and prescription assistance to the uninsured in Pickens County), under the umbrella of the Good Samaritan Alliance, and the marriage of locations and ministries has been beneficial to the people of Pickens County. As partner agencies, they are able to refer people to one another and work to meet as many emergency needs as possible.
“If an individual has needs beyond the scope of services we offer, we refer them to the appropriate agency. We have a great working relationship with the United Way of Pickens County as well as their partner agencies. There is a real spirit of cooperation between agencies which makes it easier to meet the needs of the people we serve,” said Nash.
Emergency food assistance is the primary service offered at UCM. In addition to addressing hunger issues, UCM also helps people with utilities, clothing, rent and specific types of life sustaining medications. Food assistance is, and has always been paramount to UCM’s ministry, because if a person does not have to worry about whether or not she is going to be able to feed herself or her family, or if she does not have to put what money she does have toward food, her resources can be used elsewhere — perhaps for rent, electricity or heat.
Many of the people UCM serves live on fixed incomes, are unemployed, or live below the poverty level. In addition to emergency food and financial assistance, Nash says that she and her staff try to offer financial counseling and money management. In order for an individual to qualify for help at UCM, he must show proof of all home income, social security cards, picture identification and proof on need in the form of a past due bill or eviction notice.
“We don’t want people to feel like we are prying into their personal business, but at the same time, UCM has a responsibility to be good stewards of the funding we use to operate. We have a responsibility to make sure that the people who need help are receiving help,” said Nash.
There is no doubt that UCM is ministering to those in need. Fiscal reports from FY 2009-2010 show that UCM made food donations in excess of 125,000 pounds and offered direct financial assistance in the amount of over $140,000. While the screening process for those seeking assistance is essential, Nash says her staff would prefer to “err on the side of compassion rather than judgment.”
Financial hardships have hit everyone, and UCM is no exception. In their latest newsletter, UCM reports that financial contributions in 2010 are running $40,000 behind where they were at this time last year. As a non-profit agency, United Christian Ministries depends on the generosity of others to minister to those people in need.
Even in these bleak economic times, Nash remains hopeful and thankful. “As a person of faith, I am not ‘Chicken Little’ and the sky is not falling!” she says. “I am praising God for all He has provided for UCM and giving thanks to Him that we have in no way reduced our services to people in need.”
United Christian Ministries is always in need of non-perishable food items, paper products (like toilet paper, diapers, wipes), clothing, blankets, and, of course, any financial donations are welcomed. Anyone interested in making a contribution to this ministry can do so by contacting Teresa Nash at United Christian Ministries, PO Box 1774, Easley, SC 29642 or by phone (864) 855.0853. In addition to these donations, UCM also has a variety of volunteer opportunities for those who want to give their time to this ministry.
Anyone in need of emergency assistance can contact UCM at the same phone number listed above or by visiting UCM at 303 Dacusville Highway in Easley. Hours of operation for UCM are Monday, Wednesday and Friday from 9 a.m.-noon. UCM staff asks people to arrive early so they can be interviewed and served prior to their noon closing time.
Blue Flame, Lions earn All-Region nods
COUNTY — Although both Daniel and Pickens were eliminated from the AAA state playoffs in the last few weeks, the two teams continue to earn accolades, as each had multiple players named to the All-Western AAA squad last week.
Eight Lions earned all-region honors, while four different Blue Flame players were named to five separate positions on the team, as senior Justin Gravely was named all-region as both a punter and a placekicker.
Other Pickens players joining Gravely on the all-region squad were running backs Jordan Freeman and David Mansell and offensive guard Daniel Holden.
Three players from the Daniel offense were selected: senior receivers Antonio Cannon and CJ Davidson and tackle Richard Miller. Defensively, the Lions placed five on the all-region squad: safety Adrien Dunn, linebacker Brandon Parker, defensive end Shaq Lawson and defensive tackles DeShawn Williams and Carl Jones.
Region champion B-HP led the team with 12 selections, including Region Player of the Year Dajun Martin and Coach of the Year Russell Blackston.
Green Wave explode for playoff win at Beaufort
GOOSE CREEK — The season may be over for Chad Smith’s Green Wave team, but what a year it was for Easley football.
The program earned a ton of respect in 13 short weeks by continuing to show extreme effort on every snap, whether it be in game one against West-Oak or game 13 against Goose Creek, the No. 1 seeded team in the AAAA Division II playoffs.
Despite a lopsided contest last Friday night, the Wave did manage to go from being considered a sure win to opponents in 2009 to a team no other program wanted to face in 2010.
“Our motto when we started this season was ‘Bring it Back’; we talked a lot through the year about bringing the pride back to Easley and leaving a legacy instead of a memory,” Smith told the Courier. “I was able to tell the seniors Friday night that they brought it back and they left a legacy. I then told the underclassmen that this is just the beginning.”
They say a team reflects the attitude of its head coach, and the Wave did that until the final whistle was blown last Friday night. Smith has displayed a demeanor all season that exudes a quiet confidence. Like his team, Smith has been hard-nosed and protective of his team, but always with a polite demeanor that earns respect from his peers.
The Easley team was just that — never loose-cannon and always focused, whether it was playing a top contender or a team that it could dominate.
“I believe that since our kids now have a taste of winning, they will be even hungrier,” Smith said. “It is a lot easier to ask a kid to show up to workouts when he is 9-4 instead of 1-10.”
Friday night’s game may have ended in a 49-0 defeat, but to the Easley faithful, it was just the final game in an unbelievable season that has set a foundation of excellence at EHS.
The undefeated Goose Creek Gators, led by former Clemson and South Carolina assistant and Baylor University head coach Chuck Reedy, may not even be tested the rest of the way because of their sheer skill at so many positions.
Couple that fact with the Green Wave’s second four-hour-plus road trip in the 2010 playoffs, which really took a toll on Smith’s squad, and Easley had a recipe for disaster.
“It was tough at the time,” Smith said. “However, realistically speaking I believe our kids maxed out their potential. That is not saying anything bad about anyone. We are just not strong enough at this time to withstand playing three quality opponents three weeks in row.
“After another year in our strength program, we should be fine. Our kids fought every team they faced. Friday night, we looked like a MASH unit before we even took the field. I truly believe if we are healthy that is a one- to two-score game. However, our kids now see where it is we want to be and I think they know how hard they need to work to get there.”
Even with the tough game Friday night, the Wave did finish the season 9-4 overall, advancing to the Class II-AAAA, quarterfinals. Easley entered the season having won just once in its previous 30 games, and this year’s nine wins was the most since a 12-2 campaign in 1997.
The Wave can also hang their hat on the fact that they won a road playoff game (at Beaufort last week) for the first time since 1988.
Smith is also only the second coach in Easley history to win at least nine games in his first season. Larry Bagwell was 13-0 in 1967.
The game Friday was not a pretty one for the Wave, especially as the crowd fell silent following the injury of Easley linebacker David Norton, which resulted in a 22-minute delay as the young man was treated on the field. According to Easley officials, Norton was taken to the hospital for evaluation. He was reported late in the game as doing well and is expected to make a full recovery. The injury happened with a minute left in the first half.
The Wave stumbled right out of the gates. On Easley’s first possession, the Wave coughed up the ball on the series’ third play, with the Gators recovering at the Easley 25-yard line.
It only took Goose Creek five plays to record the game’s first points. The Easley defenders hunkered down and slowed the Gator attack until quarterback Jaquan Marsh found receiver Jamel Bowman open and connected for a 16-yard gain on fourth and 9 from the Easley 24. Marsh called his own number after the fourth-down conversion and split the Easley defense, going the final eight yards for the touchdown with 8:56 to play in the first quarter. Gator kicker Masamitsu Ishibashi added the extra point, and the score was 7-0 Gators.
Smith’s offense continued to struggle on the next two Wave possessions and was forced to punt each time.
The Gators added to their lead with an 11-play, 65-yard drive early in the second quarter. Gator runner Virgil Smalles rushed the final yard to cap the drive with 11:45 to play in the half. Ishibashi was true on the PAT, and Goose Creek was out front 14-0.
The Gators’ last touchdown before intermission resulted from a blocked punt with no time on the clock. Setting up at the Easley 22-yard line, Green Wave punter Devin Southerland lined up to boot the ball away, but Goose Creek managed to block the kick, with Gator Gerald Turner picking up the loose ball at the Easley six and rumbling in for the score. Ishibashi added the PAT, and the half ended with Easley trailing 21-0.
The Green Wave looked to run out of gas in the second half with Goose Creek scoring on nearly every possession. The first was a nine-play drive that covered 78 yards. The Gator touchdown came when Smalles carried the ball the final 18 yards for the score. Ishibashi was true with the extra point, and GC was up 28-0 with 7:30 to play in the third quarter.
The Wave seemed to be mounting a drive following the ensuing kickoff, but again a fumble slowed the Wave. Even though Easley runner Trevin Franklin covered the loose ball, the Wave didn’t manage to get a first down, and Southerland was called on to punt.
The Gators took advantage of a couple of unsportsmanlike conduct penalties on their next scoring series. The calls were questioned by all that wore Green and White. The play started with the Gators being flagged for two separate personal fouls followed by the Wave being flagged for one in retaliation. However, the penalties were never marked off against Goose Creek, only against Easley. The call infuriated the Easley sideline. Following a slight delay in action, the Wave were again flagged for a personal foul, which cost them 15 more yards. In all, the single play resulted in no penalty yards being assessed on the Gators and 30 being marked off on the Green Wave.
The skirmish as a result gave the ball to the Gators at the Easley 47-yard line. Marsh then carried the ball for 30 yards to the Easley 17. Five plays later, Goose Creek runner Mike Myers blasted in from five yards out. Ishibashi added the PAT, and with 1:17 to play in the third quarter the Gators were ahead 35-0.
GC added another score the next time they touched the ball. A quick three-play drive that covered 51 yards led to the touchdown. The big play was a 46-yard scamper by Gator runner Caleb Kinlaw to the Easley 1-yard line. Kinlaw got the final call as well, and took the ball in with 9:42 to play. Ishibashi’s PAT pushed the Gator lead to 42-0.
The final TD of the night was also on a Kinlaw run, this time a 65-yarder with only 2:16 to play. Ishibashi remained perfect, and that is how it ended — Goose Creek 49, Easley 0.
The game marked the ended of the road for several Easley seniors.
“Anytime you take a program over, you know the underclassmen are going to buy in,” Smith said. “However, when the seniors at Easley bought in as well, our program really took off. That is a testament to what kind of kids we have here and these seniors can always say that they were the group that turned it around.”
Bryant receives Eagle Scout rank
EASLEY — Easley Boy Scout Troop 37 has a new Eagle Scout.
Brandon Bryant, a former senior at Easley High School and the son of Mr. and Mrs.
Gene Bryant, received his Eagle Scout Rank on November 14 to become the 75th
Eagle Scout for Troop 37. Bryant’s involvement in Scouting has spanned seven
years starting in Easley’s Cub Scout Pack 130 in 2003 where he worked to achieve
the Arrow of Light award in 2004. He joined Troop 37 in April of 2004 advancing
through the required seven Boy Scout ranks to Eagle Scout. Along the way, Bryant became
a member of the Order of the Arrow in 2006, hiked more than 42 miles, camped out 68
nights, and completed 123 service hours. One of the requirements
to obtain the rank of Eagle is to plan, implement, and complete a
service project. Bryant’s project was to rebuild a bridge on a nature trail
and install handrails on steps leading to the Easley First Baptist
Church Prayer Garden. The project improved the safety and access to this area
and demonstrated Bryant’s determination to complete this project despite
health challenges he endured.
Pickens girl found safe after abduction
PICKENS — An 8-year old Pickens child is safe following an ordeal in which she
was taken from her mother and transported out of state. Donnie Lee Shelton, 46, of
124 Sunset Drive in Pickens, has been arrested and charged in the incident.
According to the Pickens County Sheriff ’s Office, deputies were called to a home on
Ravenwood Lane in Pickens about a domestic disturbance at the residence. Deputies believe
that on Monday at around 6 p.m., a man came to the home and kicked in the door. The victim
told officers it was her exhusband and that she had been separated from him for a year
and a half. She also told deputies that she had an order of protection on her ex-husband and provided
documents to deputies. Deputies say the victim then said the man entered the home
that she and her two children shared and grabbed the couple’s 8-year-old daughter and left.
Warrants were issued for Shelton, and he was charged with violation of custody order,
assault and battery first degree, criminal domestic violence, trespassing and burglary.
An Amber alert was issued by the South Carolina State Law Enforcement Division (SLED).
The alert was canceled after officers with the Corbin City (Ken.) Police called local authorities
and said that Shelton had been arrested at a local hospital. Officers say that Shelton had taken
the girl to the emergency room of the hospital after the child had complained of stomach
pain. The child is now back with her mother, authorities say. Shelton is currently being
held in Kentucky. No date for extradition has been set, according to the PCSO.
Holiday Bazaar coming to Easley Senior Center
EASLEY — Pickens County Seniors Unlimited is hosting its first Holiday Bazaar at the
Easley Senior Center on Saturday, December 11 from 9 a.m.-2p.m. Everyone is encouraged
to stop in to 401 Blair Street in Easley and enjoy some holiday shopping and a hot dog lunch.
Various vendors from around the area will be on hand to sell their crafts and gift items.
Door Prizes will be given away throughout the bazaar. All proceeds from the bazaar
and lunch support the programs and services of Pickens County Seniors Unlimited.
Vendors can purchase space at the bazaar by calling Amanda
Nicholson at (864) 878-0172.
Space and table rental is
$25; space only is $10.
All vendors are asked to donate an item for a door prize. Since 1972, Pickens County
Seniors Unlimited, a non-profit organization, has been a major service deliveryorganization
exclusively serving the needs and interests of senior adults. Its primary goal is to provide
programs and services that address social, intellectual, emotional, vocational and physical needs.
By providing these services, Pickens County Seniors Unlimited hopes to delay or prevent
institutionalization and promote independent living among senior adults in Pickens County.
For more information on the Holiday Bazaar, membership, or other programs and services
offered by Pickens County
Seniors Unlimited, please call
(864) 878-0172.
