Column: Tailgaters’ Cans and Coats drive successful

Sun City Carolina Lakes residents directed their attention and efforts toward keeping others in the greater Indian Land Community warm and well cared for during the cold winter months.
A Cans and Coats drive initiated by the Sun City Carolina Lakes Tailgaters, a service organization within the community, proved hugely successful. With the promise of a free hot dog to the first 340 people who brought either a coat or five cans of food to be donated to HOPE in Lancaster, an organization which helps county residents in need, Tailgaters fed most of the community. Residents armed with several coats each and as many cans as they could carry lined up to help the cause. The club’s leader, Tom Churilla, said the drive was so successful the group plans to make this an annual event.
Sun City’s musicians and music lovers organized a charity benefit with three bands which included 11 resident singers/musicians. The entertainers pressed their resources and talent into three hours of live music, some of which was original.  
“Musicians sang and played their hearts out, raising $3,400 in cash for Lancaster County Outreach Program for abused and neglected kids,” said Kent Van de Vere, the club’s vice president. Beyond cash, the donations included 15 hand-knit blankets, along with booties and hats made by Stitch and Chat Club, plus three pickup trucks full of diapers, clothing, beds, bedding, linens and toys.
Sun City’s first Musicians Showcase provided an opportunity to listen and dance to some of the community’s favorite entertainers, including Kathy Davis, Jay Hanselman, Jack Haubach, Leon Ognibene and Jack Burton. Multi-talented band members Kent Van de Vere, Paul Lamoureau, Phil Ford, Terry Nicoludis, Bill Bell, Steve Robertson and Jack Zaney often jumped between bands, as well as instruments.
Excitement peaked as the community waited for the March 16 reception for the artists and photographers who exhibited in “Collaboration 2011.” The exhibition is housed in the Lake House’s upper level gallery. Local artist and event organizer Cindy Moeykens conceived the idea and was responsible for the event, from start to finish.
The Prayerful Knitters have made a significant difference in many lives with their blankets, lap robes and shawls. Early in the year, they donated and delivered handmade blankets to the Levine Children’s Hospital, the Veterans Hospital and Hospice Agape in Rock Hill.  
The Stitch and Chat club is making and donating hats, sweaters, baby blankets, booties, etc., to military families in the Lancaster area as a way of lending support and saying thank you to our troops.
Throughout March, the Volunteers and Helping Hands Club ran another successful drive for the Lancaster Children’s Home, as well as the Children’s Attention Center.
“We collected over $1,000 in cash, credit cards and checks to be divided evenly between the two, along with an abundance of supplies,” said club president Rose Good.
A Sun City team again took part in Walk for the Cure with the Juvenile Diabetes Re-search Foundation at Caro-winds on Saturday, April 16.
The Bocce Ball Club is planning a May 13-15 charity fundraiser for the Lancaster Children’s Home. Entry donation is $10 per person; experience is not necessary.
As we welcome spring, you can see that although the winter may have been very cold, the community’s spirit and generosity warmed the hearts of many people. We are grateful for our neighbors and the opportunity to live among them right here in Indian Land.

Jim Lorenz/for Carolina Gateway

The Sun City Carolina Lakes Tailgaters hosted a Cans and Coats Charity drive to benefit HOPE in Lancaster.  From left, Larry Cooper and Bernice May accept donations from Leroy and Cheryl Rosenberg, Dan and Pat Peters.

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Beverly Lane Lorenz’s Sunny Side Up column runs every other month. If you have a question about the Sun City Carolina Lakes community, call (803) 283-1154.