Success Stories
Watch this page for information on our grant recipients and their projects as well as scholarship and community service merit award recipients. Learn the stories behind the names and projects and celebrate the results of Landlovers Philanthropy! Ceci Harrison is our Roving Reporter.
First Responders
No matter where you moved from, First Responders had to be your biggest surprise and greatest blessing. We have volunteers who drop whatever they’re doing and come to the aid of our residents within minutes.
In 2010 First Responders requested just under $10,000, through Landlovers’ annual grant process, for equipment to outfit three new volunteers as well as a Medtronic Chest Compression system. No discussion was needed before approving such a request. What price can we put on possibly saving a resident’s life? Right now, First Responders has 20 volunteers – the largest number they have ever had on their roster. The three new volunteers Landlovers was able to equip include a retired nurse, a former medic in the Army and a former firefighter. There is never an hour in the day at The Landings when a First Responder cannot get to someone in need. But now that they number 20, a pair of First Responders only has to be on call for the overnight shift (10PM – 7AM) one week out of every 7 or 8 weeks.
The “Lucas” chest compression system has already been used a number of times and has saved a couple of lives. Landlovers also granted First Responders enough to outfit each Club’s golf shop with a defibrillator in case there’s an emergency need on one of the courses (our Club’s restaurants already have defibrillators). Landlovers joins all residents in thanking First Responders for their quick action and selfless mission here at The Landings.
Flea Market
“Success stories” can be measured in many ways and from various points of view. The one I’m about to tell you about was (from my subjective point of view) the greatest success story of Landlovers’ 35thyear.
A Flea Market event has, for 20+ years, pushed Landlovers’ fundraising over its Ways and Means top and given it that extra “wow” factor at grant-giving time. But last year, Landlovers’ 35thyear, Flea Market was in jeopardy of becoming a non-event. No one wanted to step up to the plate and Chair this event. We asked married couples, golf groups, book clubs – you name it. Everyone wanted to work it – but no one wanted to run it. Until one October morning when a past Landlovers’ Board member and Flea Market enthusiast woke up and said “I can do this!” And did she ever. Kenna Kinsey gathered a few good friends to “assist” in managing the responsibilities. Kenna not only pulled off one of the most successful Flea Markets in Landlovers’ history – but did it wearing a smile every step of the way.
For anyone who might be wary of such an endeavor – give Kenna a call. You’ll find her number everywhere these days as she has happily agreed to repeat her success story as Flea Market Chair for another year. And if you ask her what she thought about her experience last year (just in case you’re thinking about doing this job yourself someday), I have a feeling she’ll say exactly what many of us heard her say last year, “This is fun!”
Coastal Conservation Association: Kids Fishing Derby
Landlovers has awarded grant dollars to the Coastal Conservation Association of Georgia since 1998. Those awards have made the annual Kids Fishing Derby possible (every May at The Kids Fishing Lagoon #56 in Oakridge) - a free event to the participants. Along with the Derby, the funds have helped stock that lagoon and beginning with last year, they have also helped to build picnic tables, benches, and kiosk signs at the lagoon.
According to longtime CCA member and past President, Chuck Smith, “Everybody there benefits from the derby.” He points out that “volunteers say they have as much fun as the kids and adults.” It’s been wonderful for our Landings community at large, as well, “as evidenced by post-Derby publicity run in The Landings Journal, TWATL, The Skinnie, The Club Line, Savannah Morning News, and a new Skidaway Island website, ‘Skidaway Today’ posting photos online.” Kids trying their hand at catching a fish and the excited faces that come with the experience – a good news story for sure.
Landlovers’ commitment to the women, men, teenagers, and children of this community as well as the beautification of their environment is a great story. That it continues to be the motivation behind its members and their fundraising three decades later is a great success story.
Project Lifesaver System
The Southside Fire/EMS Skidaway Division has just certified several of its members with the Project Lifesaver System. Landlovers is proud to have made the purchase of this system and the necessary training possible.
A client with Alzheimer’s, Down Syndrome, or Autism is equipped with a battery-operated disc transmitter on their wrist or ankle. Should they go wandering off, their caregiver would notify the Sheriff’s office and through a VHF digital receiver and antenna – Electronic Search Specialists (this is where the training and certification comes in) can locate the client by tracking the unique tone and frequency that comes with each bracelet. They follow the signal both on the ground and in the air (using a Chatham County helicopter). Up until now, Project Lifesaver was only available through the Chatham County Sheriff’s Department. Waiting for them to arrive could mean precious minutes lost in a search. Now our Project Lifesaver Electronic Search Specialists on Skidaway Island will work hand-in-hand with the Sheriff’s Department – so finding a client in need should be swift and most likely, with a happy outcome.
If you would like to learn more about this exciting system, please call our Fire Chief, Jim Murray at 547-7174 or email him at Jim@Southsidefire.com.
Landings Recycling
It was a shock to many of us when we moved here from other parts of the country that our little community was behind the recycling-times. Landlovers’ 2005/06 President, Ann Tremaine, and her Board approached The Landings Association and suggested a partnership: Landlovers would supply the seed money for a recycling center and the Association would work towards its reality.
The Association’s Sean Burgess and others looked at the land use map to determine the best location. Since a road and electrical were already in place next to the Southside Fire Station on McWhorter Road, they proceeded to apply for permits from the Department of Natural Resources (a state dept.) to be sure wetlands were not involved and from the Metropolitan Planning Commission (city) to change the land status from wooded to recycling use. Once permits were secured, construction began.
The 2005/06 Landlovers’ Board and membership provided $14,500 towards this goal and the 2006/07 Board and membership under Paula Tracey’s leadership, gave an additional $5,500. These amounts covered engineering specifications, tree removal, grading, crushed stone, fencing, signage, lighting and initial funds to lease the recycling containers. This was a grant of significant size but worthy of membership approval.
In 2008, we collected 24 tons in cardboard and plastics. Mixed media (newspaper/paper) collected 22 tons. But in 2009 we collected 132 tons of cardboard and plastics and 365 tons of mixed media. Based on 1stand 2ndquarter totals – the 2010 estimate of cardboard and plastics could be 143 tons and mixed media – 428 tons. The goal was for this to be a cost neutral project and we are on our way to that reality; but it takes thousands of dollars to bale, haul and dump our recycled items. As more and more of us take advantage of this savvy practice that Landlovers and The Landings Association made possible – our success will be measured both environmentally and financially.
