IslandVibesIOP.com 5 Isle of Palms' hospitality is as good as it comes. Whether you’re craving fresh seafood or a sweet treat, IOP has everything your stomach desires, thanks to its robust food and beverage scene. The busy season for restaurants runs from Memorial Day to Labor Day. Some in the industry call it “100 days of hell” because every day is like a Saturday. Now, they finally get to relax. NEWS IOPPD leads the march for Mothers Against Drunk Driving SC holds highest rate of drunk driving fatalities per capita in US By L. C. Leach III About the Cover Hospitality Heroes By Zach Giroux Photos by Rachel Basye, Cooper River Photography. Put on your beat-up running shoes, fill up your water bottle and prepare to hit the road this autumn for the Isle of Palms’ 7th annual walk/run fundraiser to benefit Mothers Against Drunk Driving (MADD). The event, known as Move With MADD Lowcountry, will be held Oct. 25 at Hampton Park in downtown Charleston. “Every dollar supports MADD’s efforts here in South Carolina to support victims and survivors and to educate the community about the dangers of DUI,” said Steven Burritt, regional executive director with the MADD state office in Irmo near Columbia. “Especially in an era of shrinking grant funding, those who support MADD through our fundraisers help us ensure every victim that needs us will have a passionate advocate supporting them.” The local fundraiser began in 2019, when IOPPD Sgt. Sharon Baldrick initiated the agency’s participation. All participants who register by Oct. 1 will be guaranteed a T-shirt. All remaining shirts will be distributed on a first-come, first-served basis. Medals will be awarded to those who place in the 5K run. Since its launch in 1980, MADD has sponsored a variety of fundraisers for victims of drunk drivers such as cycling races and fishing and golf tournaments. The impetus for its creation was 13-year-old softball player Cari Lightner, who was killed May 3, 1980, in Fair Oaks, California, when she was struck from behind by a three-time repeat offender, throwing her out of her shoes 125 feet as she and a friend were walking to a church carnival. This incident led to the formation of MADD by Cari’s mother, Candace Lightner, whose daughter continues to represent the many pedestrian victims killed or injured due to drunk driving. The offseason will soon be here and that’s when business typically slows down due to a decrease in tourism. This is the most pivotal time of year for residents to support their local establishments by going out to eat more even when it’s not warm and sunny at the beach. To celebrate their success all summer long, Island Vibes wanted to personally thank all of the talented people behind the delicious food. Here’s a list of recommendations of what to order the next time you and your family frequent any of the following restaurants: Acme Charles Arena, Chef Shrimp & Grits/Succotash Coastal Provisions Steven Troilo, Chef Duck Burger Huey’s Shardine Anderson, Server Chicken Tenders & Caesar Salad IOPizza Tanja DePass, Manager Pepperoni Slice Islander 71 Goran Nanevski, Server Mahi Mahi Laughing Gull Emma Fair, Server Tuna Poke/Burger Eriek Imbaquingo, Cook Shawarma Sandwich Oystercatcher Austin Blake, Chef Whole Branzine (fish) Sea Biscuit Cafe Wendi Szymanski Crab Cake Simmons Seafood Kate Simmons, Daily operations Key Lime Pie The Nest Eliot Desjardines, Server Pimento Cheese Charcuterie Woody’s Ghani Mack, Cook Blackened Mahi At the time, nearly 25,000 people were killed each year in alcohol-related crashes – 50% of all traffic deaths in 1980. In the past 45 years, Burritt said that MADD volunteers across the U.S. have not only made a difference in the lives of individual victims such as Cari but have helped cut drunk driving deaths by 40%. “At one point we had reduced deaths by 50%, but the incredible spike in drunk driving deaths seen starting with the pandemic erased some of those gains,” Burritt said. Burritt also pointed out that despite the gains, there is still a long way to go in South Carolina because “we have the worst drunk driving fatality rate per capita in the nation.” “Any family impacted is still devastated beyond comprehension and they need all the support we can provide,” Burritt said. “Our work and our mission is as important today as it’s ever been, especially as we now see the reality of technology bringing an end to drunk driving – we have to advocate all the way to victory.” Front Row: Charles Arena, Acme and Wendi Szymanski, Sea Biscuit Café Back Row: Kate Simmons, Simmons Seafood, Tanja DePass, IOPizza, and Goran Nanevski, Islander 71,. Front Row: Emma Fair, Laughing Gull and Austin Blake, Oystercatcher Back Row: Eliot Desjardines, The Nest and Ghani Mack, Woody’s Eatery Front Row: Shardine Anderson, Huey's and Eriek Imbaquingo, Laughing Gull. Back Row: Steven Troilo, Coastal Provisions and Bobby Simpson, Hudson’s Market
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