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VOLUME 17 ISSUE 6
Going Green
JUNE 16, 2023
KIAWAH HOPES TO L E A D T H E WAY BY THERESA STRATFORD
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For The Island Connection
ost homeowners on Kiawah Island would admit that they were drawn to the area due to its environmental stewardship and the eco-conscious priorities that leaders of the town set as a priority. Sure, it’s beautiful on Kiawah Island, but there is a reason why it has stayed that way all these years. Actually, Council Member Michael Heidingsfelder said that he fell in love with Kiawah Island more than 20 years ago because the unique environment was obviously well-cared for, clean and, quite honestly, pristine. He also said he took particular notice at how the community worked hard to keep it that way. Now, he is leading an effort called Kiawah Goes Green. It’s a community-committed group of various stakeholders, business owners and homeowners who want to enact a number of “green” initiatives, as well as educate the community on things they can do to further enhance and care for Kiawah’s fragile environment. This isn’t the first time that the Town of Kiawah Island has taken on a green commitment. Former Council Member Dr. Scott Parker led a “Kiawah Goes Greener” ad-hoc working group that began in October of 2021. The goals for that group were similar to the goals that Heidingsfelder described for the current green initiative. However, they were updated to reflect more of the issues that Kiawah Islanders face today. Still, some of the same issues that Kiawah faced then, (continued on page 3) they face today, and Heidingsfelder
150 swimmers recently went for an open water swim, all for the sake of fighting cancer.
S W I M M E R S TA K E T O T H E O P E N O C E A N FOR CANCER RESEARCH BY THERESA STRATFORD For The Island Connection
A Pledge of Support I
PLANS FOR ANDELL WEST MOVE FORWARD BY THERESA STRATFORD
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For The Island Connection
iawah Island Town Council conveyed their unanimous support for the Andell West Community Update and rendering presented at the June 6 Town Council meeting. Riverstone Properties, the development company responsible for the plans and design of Andell West, was not present at the meeting but provided an update on the agenda. Riverstone will be presenting this final design to Charleston County’s Planning Commission in August and was basically asking for a final blessing from Town Council before that big presentation takes place. This final design and rendering comes after the presentation given by Chris Corrada, principal of Riverstone Properties, given at the early March Town Council meeting. The current plan was created with a tremendous amount of Kiawah Island community involvement, including input from stakeholders on the island, businesses, Town Council and residents. The first community meeting was held in September 2021, and, at that time, dwelling units (continued on page 6) were a part of the plan. Since then, the
INSIDE THE CONNECTION
f you happened to be taking a morning stroll on Kiawah Island’s beach near Night Heron Park on June 10, you might have noticed the 150 swimmers who took to the ocean for an open water swim, all for the sake of fighting cancer. This spectacle was the 6th annual Swim Across America Charleston-Kiawah event, which attracts swimmers of all ages and levels. The event raises money for the Hollings Cancer Center at MUSC and has been dubbed “Make Waves to Fight Cancer” for a reason. Event Director Jana Chanthabane explained the reason. “An estimated 40% of Americans will be diagnosed with cancer at some point in their lifetime. It's an honor being part of the Swim Across America team that creates tangible, positive outcomes to the lives and health of those affected in communities like Charleston and across the country.” The event was held for the first time on Kiawah Island in 2018. Since then, this annual event has raised over $300,000 for the Hollings Cancer Center, which is one of the leading cancer treatment centers in the Southeast, located at MUSC in Charleston. This event specifically supports the Hollings Cancer Center Ferreira Lab, which is dedicated to designing and developing engineered immune cell therapies for autoimmune disease, cancer and aging.
MUSEUM OPENING PAGE 9
SPOLETO WRAP-UP PAGE 10
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“When we partnered with Kiawah Island Golf Resort starting in 2017, we were able to provide a world-class location to host our philanthropic charity swim every year to support cancer research in the Charleston Community," Chanthabane added. The Kiawah Island Golf Resort echoed their excitement by hosting the event each year. Liz King, the Golf Resort’s director of recreation, said, “We thoroughly enjoy working with Swim Across America. The entire organization is so passionate and dedicated to the cause. And the fact that the funds raised stay right here in Charleston at the MUSC Hollings Cancer Center — with which Kiawah Island Golf Resort has already enjoyed an enduring relationship through our Gourmet & Grapes event —makes this charity swim event more special.” The Kiawah Island Golf Resort hosts a Gourmet & Grapes event, which also raises funds for the Hollings Cancer Center, every year in February at The Sanctuary. The 2023 event marked its 15th year, and, since that first event, KIGR has raised over $5 million for cancer research. One aspect that made the 2023 Swim Across America at Kiawah Island different from previous years was the fact that they hosted a same-day pool swim for the first time (continued on page 4)
FATHER'S DAY IDEAS PAGE 11