2 | KIAWAH ISLAND DIGEST
PREPAREDNESS
A
KIAWAH ISLAND DIGEST | 3
Kiawah Prepares for Hurricane
Florence, Avoids Direct Strike
fter storm models indicated a probable east
coast strike for the then-Category 4 Hurricane
Florence, Governor Henry McMaster issued an
evacuation notice for coastal South Carolina on Sept.
10. The path’s uncertainty kept the area on alert even
after the storm made landfall as a Category 1 near
Wilmington, North Carolina.
In preparation for the storm, buildings and outdoor
furniture were secured, pond levels were lowered in
anticipation of the record rain Florence was predicted
to bring, and KICA’s emergency contractors were
notified of a possible activation of their contracts.
KICA Security staff maintained a presence on the island
during the first phase of the mandatory evacuation,
and transferred controlled access responsibilities to the
town’s Sheriff ’s deputies prior to expected landfall.
In the end, Kiawah was fortunate. Rain and wind from
the storm were minimal, and the evacuation order was
lifted on Sept. 15. Staff from KICA’s Land and Lakes
department arrived the day after the storm, and soon
debris collection and low pond levels were the few signs
there had been a storm.
KICA COO Jimmy Bailey commented on the
teamwork that enabled island entities to work
together with remarkable efficiency. “KICA extends
A Letter from COO Jimmy Bailey
S
ince its inception six years ago, Kiawah Cares has
evolved from a strategic objective of the Kiawah
Island Community Association (KICA) into a
fully functioning 501c3 foundation. In the first few
years, KICA provided the bulk of the funding and most
of the manpower for programs. As the Kiawah Cares
Foundation (KCF) has progressed, support has grown
from our volunteer and donor base, and dependence on
KICA for funding and manpower has diminished. KICA
will continue to provide administrative support in the
form of office space and leadership, in order for KCF’s
overhead to remain low, but KCF is close to standing
alone, due to Kiawah’s incredible community.
its thanks to the Town of Kiawah Island and all those
involved in Kiawah’s Emergency Management plan.
The unique governance structure on Kiawah requires
significant coordination between entities and a spirit of
cooperation. Special thanks to Mayor Weaver and town
administrator Stephanie Tillerson for their leadership.”
The Kiawah Cares Foundation will collect donations
through Oct. 19 to help those affected by the
devastating flooding caused by Florence. Find out more
on page 3.
NEW ONLINE PAYMENT PROCESSOR, THREE EASY WAYS TO PAY
Beginning Oct. 1,
KICA will switch
online payment
processors to Mutual
of Omaha Bank.
This processor,
which is geared
specifically to the
needs of community
associations, will provide significant cost savings and
improved services to KICA. There will still be three
easy ways to pay your KICA monthly statement or
assessment.
Kiawah Cares is Evolving
and Thriving
1. Check - Mail a check to the ‘Mail to’ address listed
on the top left of the statement.
2. eCheck - Pay online with no fee by eCheck at kica.
us/pay.
3. Credit Card - There is a 14.95 fee for this service.
This transaction fee, paid directly to Mutual of
Omaha Bank, will save the membership $50,000
annually. Pay online by credit card at kica.us/pay.
Monthly statements are now being conveniently emailed
to the primary member of each household. To update
your email address or request that your statements be
mailed, contact [email protected].
From the beginning, KCF was managed by KICA’s
Tammy McAdory, a Johns Island resident passionate
about Kiawah’s potential to positively impact the lives
of neighboring Sea Islanders. With Tammy’s recent
retirement, KCF has become the responsibility of KICA’s
Executive Office Administrator Holly Newman. Holly
is also a Johns Island resident who shares a commitment
to community service. Holly is supported by long-time
KICA employee and KCF programs assistant Carla
Howard.
The past few years have provided insight into how the
Kiawah community can provide the greatest positive
impact on our neighboring Sea Islands community.
HURRICANE RELIEF:
NEIGHBORS HELPING
NEIGHBORS
COMMUNITY OUTREACH
Our members have
generous
hearts
for
students,
education and the
underprivileged,
and focusing on
programs
where
Kiawah’s interests lie
will maximize our
impact on Johns and
Wadmalaw islands.
KCF has built
great relationships
with other local
non-profits,
like
Reading Partners,
Our Lady of Mercy Community Outreach, the
Kiawah Women’s Foundation, and Community Home
Improvement Project, and has discovered how to leverage
partnerships to the greatest benefit of our Sea Islands
community.
In the weeks to come, KCF will share a calendar of events
designed to promote the successes of our partners and to
raise funds to allow continuation of our efforts. Without
the time, talents and resources of our Kiawah supporters,
KCF could not sustain. We look forward to much growth
and success this year and invite you to join our efforts.
Kiawah was spared a direct hit from Hurricane Florence, but
many nearby coastal communities were not so fortunate. You can
help by making a financial contribution to the Kiawah Cares
Disaster Relief Fund. Funds collected from through Oct. 19 will be
donated to Hurricane Florence disaster relief.
Visit kiawahcares.org to make an online donation or to learn
more. Checks may be made out to Kiawah Cares Foundation (memo: Hurricane Relief), and mailed to 23
Beachwalker Drive, Kiawah Island, SC 29455, attn: Carla Howard.