Home-Care Provider Gets Rebranded, Joins Florence Chamber

/in , , , /by

by Ardie Arvidson

All Ways Caring HomeCare is rebranding and to let people know more about its transition it joined the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce. A ribbon cutting was held on Thursday morning at 960 Pamplico Highway.

Formerly ResCare HomeCare, All Ways Caring HomeCare is part of the BrightSpring Health Services.

Molly Hawkins, branch manager, said All Ways serves 11 counties in the Pee Dee area with nine branches in South Carolina. It provides home care in 24 states.

Hawkins said the health care provider offers private-duty, veterans, and community long-term care, as well as disability and special needs care, workman’s comp and family-support voucher care.

She said All Ways joined the chamber to work in the community and let people know it is in the community.

“The name change reflects the transformation of the home care organization which has been providing services for more than 20 years as ResCare HomeCare,” according to an announcement from BrightSpring. “All Ways Caring HomeCare will offer care for more than 20,000 individuals across the country, delivering quality, compassionate and highly individualized care and support that helps seniors stay at home – all while maximizing their dignity, privacy and independence.”

“We are so excited to introduce All Ways Caring HomeCare,” said Rexanne Domico, president of home health and neurotherapy. “As home health care needs evolve, we’re creating the best operating model in the industry to enhance the quality of care we provide.”

All Ways Caring has the capability to offer short-term care, seasonal help and long-term care, Domico said.

“We care about our patients,” Hawkins said. “They are like extended family.”

For more information, contact Molly Hawkins at 843-629-0794.

To read the full article on SC Now, click here.

Florence Chamber to Hear Health Care Speakers at Breakfast

/in , , /by

by Ardie Arvidson

The Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce will host a Community Healthcare Update Breakfast on Friday, September 20, at the Florence Center.

The chamber typically hosts two legislative breakfast information sessions each year at which three representatives are asked to speak about what is happening in their area of government, said Mike Miller, president of the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce.

“We do one in the fall and one early spring,” he said. “This time we decided that we would have the program positioned toward our area’s largest business category: medical and health care.”

“The hospitals employ thousands just in Florence County, not including their satellite locations throughout the region,” Miller said. “Along with their growing services, we also have many other medical service providers in the region that are substantial contributors to our employment base. Altogether we have a very large category of employment that has the responsibility of medical services for most of a seven-county area. It seems logical to ask our health care leaders what is happening today that is critical to health care advancement and what does the future hold in each of their respective operations.”

The speakers for the program:

  • Kyle Baxter, chief operating officer at MUSC Health-Florence Medical Center.
  • Donna Isgett, senior vice president at McLeod Health.
  • Carl M. Humphries, chief executive officer at HopeHealth.

Each will touch on what’s new on the health care horizon and discuss today’s trend in area health services.

Doors will open at 7:30 a.m. The program will begin at 8 a.m.

The program is open to the community and all area business leaders. It is being made possible by First Reliance Bank and Signature Wealth Strategies.

Breakfast tickets and registration are $20 per person and available by calling the Chamber of Commerce at 843-665-0515 or by using the registration link on the chamber’s website at flochamber.com/events.

To read the full article on SC Now, click here.

AirMedCare Network Joins Florence Chamber

/in , , , /by

by Ardie Arvidson

An air ambulance crew from AirMedCare Network landed its helicopter Tuesday afternoon at the Florence Airport at the FBO station, 500 S. McCall Blvd. for a ribbon-cutting ceremony to celebrate AirMedCare Network joining of the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce.

Chamber ambassadors showed their support by participating in the event.

Pastor Eugene Park Sr. of Mullins and the Rev. Steven Curry Gallego of Cross and Crown Lutheran Church in Florence spoke and prayed.

Chris Frye is the base manager of the air ambulance medical transport located in Sumter. He said they have been in this area for 3½ years. The medical transport has been in operation for 36 years, he said. The transport has seven helicopters and one airplane in South Carolina. They are spread throughout the state in Greenville, Spartanburg, Anderson, Sumter, Mullins, Charleston and Walterboro.

In Sumter there are four pilots, one full-time mechanic, three nurses and three paramedics, he said.

Frye said they are in the business of transporting people to trauma surgery units to help save lives.

They arrived in Florence in a Bell 407.

Lionel Grant, the membership sales manager for AirMedCare Network, cut the ribbon. He said they have a membership plan where a household can join as one to take care of out-of-pocket expenses when being flown by an AMCN provider. You don’t have to be a member of their plan to be transported by the service. A yearly or monthly fee is charged. With a membership, members of a household receive ID cards and stickers for their drivers’ licenses.

“Their first job is to save lives,” Grant said.

AirMedCare Network is one of the largest air medical membership networks in America. It provides coverage across 320 locations in 38 states, including Alaska and Hawaii.

To view the full article on SC Now, click here.

Barber Shop Celebrates Joining Florence Chamber

/in , , , /by

by Ardie Arvidson

Barbers and Blades Barber Shop, LLC was joined by Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce ambassadors for a ribbon-cutting ceremony on Monday morning, denoting its membership into the chamber.

The barbershop opened in April 2018 at 352 W. Palmetto St.

Owner Shkari Deon Ham said his step-father is a member of a chamber of commerce and encouraged him to join, and his cousin, a barber in Hartsville, is also a chamber member.

“I thought it was a good idea,” he said.

Ham said he learned to cut hair at the feet of his grandmother and practiced on his grandfather, starting around the age of 13.

Ham said owning his own shop was a dream of his.

He served in the military before deciding to pursue his dream by attending Thompson & Son Barber College in Florence.

Ham previously worked at Thompson Master Hair Care.

He said he is located on a very business street, where they accept walk-in traffic.

Business has been good, he said.

There are two barbers at the shop other than Ham. Joining in the celebration on Monday were Dion Grant and Robert Tozzi.

Ham said each has his own specialties.

Stylists Jamela Broaddus-Franklin and Vicki Moore were also on hand for the ribbon-cutting ceremony.

“I was born here in Florence but raised in Fayetteville, North Carolina,” Ham said.

Cuts vary in price depending on styles and services. Hours are 7 a.m. to 7 p.m. Monday through Saturday.

Visit the shop’s Facebook page for individual phone numbers and to make appointments.

To read the full article on SC Now, click here.

Ribbon Cut at New Convenient Store in Florence County

/in , , , /by

From Staff Reports

With much celebration, a host of supporters and a live radio remote broadcast, On The Go cut the ribbon and joined the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce Thursday morning.

Owned and operated by Johnny and George Rishmawi, the shiny new convenience store is on Alligator Road near the intersection with Knollwood Road.

“We like the location and we thought it was a nice place to put a nice store for the community,” Johnny Rishmawi said.

In addition to gas, a spacious parking lot and other features usually found at convenience stores, there is more.

“Our kitchen is breakfast, lunch and dinner every single day from 5:30 a.m. – 8 p.m.,” Richmawi said. “We cook home cooking country food — fried chicken and pork chops and barbecue ribs and meatloaf. We cook different food every day.”

The store is open 24/7.

To read the full story on SC Now, click here.

Emerging Leaders Meet for Third Summer Session

/in , , /by

The Chamber’s 18-member Emerging Leaders Summer Institute class learned about Education and Leadership Development in Florence today.

The class visits included Florence Presbyterian Community, The Florence County Public Library, and The Carolinian.

Presenters included Doris Lockhart of AccuStaff and Ray Reich of Florence Downtown Development.

Condos May Be Coming to Downtown Florence

/in , , /by

by Matthew Christian

Condos could soon be coming to North Dargan Street.

Florence Downtown Development Manager Ray Reich said Tuesday that a developer was working with the city to purchase the former L.B. Small’s Used Furniture location at 141 N. Dargan St. with the intention of tearing the existing building down and building something, most likely condominiums on the site. He was not at liberty to give the name.

“There’s a group that’s going to acquire the building,” Reich said. “The city acquired it. The group will tear it down and renovate it.”

Property tax records indicate the city purchased the property on Oct. 4, 2018, for $499,999.

Reich said ultimately the final use for the property would be condominiums but there is the possibility that the bottom floor could be turned into a commercial development.

Reich added the existing structure needed to be torn down because its roof had collapsed and the structure was “pretty nasty” inside.

A roof collapsing is a serious issue for a building like the one at 141 N. Dargan St. because when the building was built, the roof was designed to hold the walls in place. Without the roof, the building becomes more likely to fall down.

According to property tax records, the structure was built in 1915.

Reich added that construction would likely have begun already on the project but for high construction costs.

The development of condos joins two other projects currently underway in the 100 block of North Dargan Street.

To the right of 141 North Dargan St. at 151 North Dargan St. is property owned by Barefoot Child Properties LLC.

Reich said that property would be turned into a commercial area downstairs and another condominium where the owner of the limited liability company, Dr. Mark Stokes, intends to reside. Reich estimated that this project was around three-fourths of the way done.

One building to the left of the 141 N. Dargan project at 135 N. Dargan St. is the property owned by Terrence Thomas through ASK Investments LLC that will be the location of two apartments, a roof-top bar, and The Lost Cajun Seafood restaurant.

To read the full article on SC Now, click here.

Well Center Pharmacy Joins Florence Chamber, Cuts Ribbon

/in , , , /by

by Matthew Christian

Shortly after 11:30 a.m. Thursday morning Well Center Pharmacy owner Marlon Orias cut the ceremonial ribbon to join the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce.

Orias, a native of the Philippines, opened the pharmacy on June 5 with his wife, Marelle, after both lost their jobs when two local Rite Aids closed following Rite Aid’s purchase by Walgreens.

He said they made the decision to join the chamber to give something back to the community.

“If we go back to basics,” Orias said Thursday after he cut the ribbon, “I moved here from a third-world country. I migrated and this city’s been good to me.”

Florence, he said, was welcoming when he moved here. He said he found South Carolina’s residents to be very warm and welcoming.

He added that he had spent 10 years in Florence as a pharmacist at the Rite Aid in Five Points. Marelle spent 11 years as a pharmacist at the Darlington Rite Aid. Orias said he had raised his family in Florence and had become established in the community.

“That’s why I decided to support the chamber of commerce being a part of the community of Florence,” Orias said. “It was a way to give back.”

What sets Well Center, and all independent pharmacies, apart from the nationally known chains, Orias said, is the level of customer service.

“For us being independent, we are capable of being more personal with the customers,” Orias said.

He said the pharmacy would be more caring when it comes to filling prescriptions and the service would be more courteous.

Well Center will also offer training.

Customers will have the opportunity to participate in the Medication Therapy Management and Lifestyle Coaching Program, a health-management program sponsored by the South Carolina Pharmacy Association and the South Carolina Department of Health and Environmental Control.

Marelle is also certified in opioid teaching.

The pharmacy also offers immunizations and will offer delivery options for the elderly.

The pharmacy is open 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m., Monday-Friday, and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Saturday. It is at 605 S. Irby St. (across from the Drs. Bruce & Lee Foundation Library). For more information, visit wellcenterpharmacy.com or call 843-799-5054.

The Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce has around 600 business members. Its mission is to “Promote and enhance a favorable business climate and improve the quality of life to make Florence the best community in which to live and operate a business.”

To read the full article on SC Now, click here.

Chamber’s Echols Graduates from Riley Diversity Institute

/in , , /by

Les Echols, Director of Community and Minority Enterprise for the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce, recently joined 39 leaders from the Midlands and surrounding area in completing the Riley Institute at Furman’s Diversity Leaders Initiative.

Over the past five months, participants in the program examined sensitive issues related to diversity and inclusion, explored “blind spots” and discussed how to suspend assumptions. Facilitating the program was Juan Johnson, an independent consultant and former Coca-Cola vice president.

As part of the program, participants worked in small, cross-sector groups to respond to real issues and opportunities in their communities through service projects. Echols’ group, College Bound Kids, created a project that focuses on increasing education for parents and students about 529 college savings plans and developing resources to assist them, which in turn will give more students the opportunity to attend college.

DLI class members are identified through a rigorous process including a nomination, application, and interview. Individuals are selected to join the class based on their capacity to impact their organizations and communities. In addition to the Midlands, DLI classes are selected annually in the Upstate and Lowcountry. Each class is crafted to reflect the diverse demographics in South Carolina.

DLI graduates become Riley Fellows, members of a powerful, cross-sector, statewide leadership network that includes CEOs of corporations, mayors, city and county council members, legislators, school superintendents, pastors and rabbis, non-profit heads, chamber of commerce directors and community leaders.

To read the full article on My Florence Today, click here.

Seminole 6 Sports Holds Ribbon Cutting in Florence

/in , , , /by

by Ardie Arvidson

Seminole 6 Sports held a ribbon cutting on Wednesday afternoon to celebrate its membership in the Greater Florence Chamber of Commerce Chamber. Chamber ambassadors were there to help celebrate.

Michael “Mike” Goodman, coach, cut the ribbon while team members, cheerleaders and other coaches watched.

Seminole 6 Sports is a member of the AAU football program and the first in Florence County, Goodman said.

They have about 100 children participating this first year of the program. There are 8U, 10U, 12U and 14U age brackets, he said.

“We haven’t had any games yet,” Goodman said.

The travelling football team’s first game will be on Sept. 7 in West Columbia.

Goodman said he wanted to give the kids a choice. He said there are traveling baseball and basketball teams in the area, but there were no traveling football teams.

“I wanted the kids to see this as an option,” he said.

He said he wanted to thank Beedy Waddell, state coordinator of the AAU program, for making this possible.

He said the middle-school-age children have a choice to play on the traveling team and or their school’s junior varsity team.

“They can do both,” he said. “There is still time to join.”

The players are in training Tuesday and Thursday nights from 6:30 to 8:15 at West Florence High School.

Head coaches include Jackie Foxe, Doug Gamble, Steven Thayer, Candace Hampton and Kelvin Burnette.

“I want to thank Ben Oates, principal of Sneed Middle School, because his was the only school that allowed us to use their field for our kids to practice and for our games,” Goodman said.

He said Walt Parker, whose son is on the team, has been indispensable thus far with helping the team get started. He said he also has to thank his wife, Samantha Goodman, who has been a tremendous help.

For more information about the football program, visit seminolesports.com or visit its Facebook page.

To read the full article on SC Now, click here.