Step through the iconic Avenue of Oaks with host Brian Cleary and Jim Westerhold, General Manager of Boone Hall Plantation, as they reveal the heart of this local treasure. This episode highlights how Boone Hall remains a vibrant part of our community, blending a 738-acre working farm—where produce is still hand-picked—with a deep commitment to preserving Gullah and enslaved history.

Get the inside scoop on the newly reopened Gin House and a growing calendar of community favorites like the Black History Month Celebration, Gullah Christmas, and the Christmas Tree Festival. Jim also shares the moving legacy of Willie McRae, whose conservation easement protects this land from overdevelopment, ensuring its rustic beauty and unpaved roads remain untouched for generations.

From weddings at the Cotton Dock to the best ways to enjoy a full day of inclusive tours, discover why this Mount Pleasant gem is more than just a landmark—it's a living part of our Lowcountry lifestyle.

Plan your visit: BooneHallPlantation.com

Join us for a deeply moving conversation with Sarah Lustig, Founder and Nurse Director of Hoofprints in the Sand, as she introduces the powerful new HITS Club. This naturalistic, experiential equine facility is offering a unique path to healing for our veterans, first responders, and their families right here in the Lowcountry.

Located on a serene 18-acre property within the expansive Francis Marion Park, HITS Club offers a safe haven from the interruptions of daily life. The facility is much more than a clinical setting; it's a therapeutic retreat featuring walking, biking, and hiking trails, a pond, gardening areas, wildlife observation, and social spaces like barbecue and fire pits. It is truly a place for colleagues and comrades to reconnect and overcome trauma symptoms.

The program has two membership levels:

Level 1: Recreation & Wellness This level is perfect for the whole family, focusing on recreational activities and therapeutic healing through leisurely enjoyment of the facility and observing the herd.

Level 2: Equine-Assisted Therapy & Horsemanship This includes all Level 1 benefits, plus direct, one-on-one introduction to equine-assisted therapy, horsemanship, and husbandry skills. Using evidence-based therapies, this intensive 16-to-32-week program specifically targets the mental and physical consequences of PTSD and Traumatic Brain Injuries (TBI). After achieving their goals and demonstrating high efficacy, members can even learn to ride horses and teach lessons!

Hoofprints in the Sand is making history as the first facility of its kind on the East Coast to be credentialed by the Department of Veterans Affairs, a mission strongly supported by Congresswoman Nancy Mace. They are working hard to prove animal-assisted therapy is a highly effective, non-traditional approach.

Listen now to learn more about the critical work Sarah and her team are doing to ensure those who serve us receive the best care—and find out how you can help them continue providing care for veterans who cannot afford it.

Ready to get involved? Start with the short membership application at HoofprintsInTheSand.org/hitsclub.

ECCO's One-Stop Shop: The Future of Community Outreach in East Cooper

In this important conversation, host Brian Cleary sits down with Stephanie Kelley, Executive Director of East Cooper Community Outreach (ECCO), to discuss ECCO's mission and the incredible expansion of their main facility in Mount Pleasant, SC.

ECCO is a vital human services organization serving everyone who lives or works East of the Cooper River, a mission that started 36 years ago after Hurricane Hugo. Today, they continue to help the community navigate the "storms blowing through their lives every day."

The New One-Stop Shop: Simplified Help, Maximized Dignity

Stephanie Kelley explains the vision behind the newly renovated facility on Six Mile Road. Instead of opting for a costly new building, ECCO expanded the current main facility by almost 3,000 sq ft to achieve a crucial goal: bringing all core services together in one place.

• Consolidated Services: The Clothing Closet was moved back into the main building, and the medical and dental clinics were placed on the same side with a shared reception area.

• Grace and Dignity: The renovation creates a welcoming and streamlined environment, ensuring that neighbors in need only have one entrance to navigate to access services like food, clothing, financial assistance, and the medical/dental clinic.

• Improved Efficiency: This one-stop approach has significantly improved how ECCO provides help, making it easier for clients to access everything they need in a single, focused visit.

3 Ways to Engage with East Cooper Community Outreach (ECCO)

While everything ECCO provides to its neighbors is free, the cost of services is real. Stephanie shares three powerful ways individuals and local businesses can partner with ECCO to give back:

1. Volunteer: Give your time to support the clinics, clothing closet, or other services.

2. Partnerships: Local businesses can form partnerships to support ECCO's ongoing mission.

3. Giving Back: Financial contributions are essential to ensure services remain available to all in the community.

Find Help or Provide Help Today:

To find out if you qualify for assistance, or to learn more about volunteering and giving opportunities, please visit:

https://ECCOCharleston.org (Look for the "Get Help" or "Provide Help" sections on the homepage.)

Join host Brian Cleary for a crucial conversation with Meaghan Silsby, Executive Director of the Lowcountry SC American Red Cross. They dive into the profound importance of giving blood and offering a lifeline of hope to those in critical need.

Did you know that every two seconds someone in the U.S. needs blood? Donating your blood truly IS the gift of life! Tune in to be inspired and learn how you can make a tangible difference.

The Red Cross makes it fast and easy to donate! Here's what you need to know:

• Find a Location: Visit https://RedCrossBlood.org and enter your zip code to find a nearby fixed site or mobile blood drive.

• RapidPass App: Download the Red Cross RapidPass app to schedule an appointment and complete your pre-donation health history ahead of time—it speeds up your visit!

• The Visit: The entire process—from greeting to getting back on your way—takes only 30 to 45 minutes.

• Steps: You'll have a confidential health screening with a phlebotomist, be seated comfortably for the actual donation (about 10-15 minutes), and then enjoy a well-deserved snack and drink before happily leaving!

Meaghan and Brian share some eye-opening facts about the critical work the Red Cross does in the Lowcountry and beyond:

• Local Impact: Last year alone, the Mount Pleasant location (Houston Northcutt Blvd near Harris Teeter) collected over 4,000 units of blood—thank you, Mount Pleasant!

• Hospitals Served: The Red Cross supplies blood to 34 local hospitals, including providing over 50,000 units to MUSC last year.

• Lifesaving Potential: Just one pint of blood can help save up to 3 people!

• Donor Frequency: Eligible donors can give as often as every 56 days, up to six times a year.

• MYTH BUSTED: You do not need to know your blood type before donating. If you don't know, you'll find out after you donate!

• Universal Need: While Type O (the universal donor) is most needed, all blood types are valuable.

You can walk-in or pre-register at the Houston Northcutt Blvd location (near Harris Teeter) when you have 30 to 45 minutes:

• Mondays/Tuesdays: 11:00 AM – 7:00 PM

• Fridays/Saturdays: 7:00 AM – 3:00 PM

• Host a Blood Drive: Local businesses and organizations can volunteer to host a drive! Contact your local Red Cross representative online at https://RedCrossBlood.org.

• Volunteer: Find diverse volunteer opportunities that match your interests by visiting .

Tune in as Host Zach Giroux sits down with Mount Pleasant Town Council candidate and lifelong resident, Perry Rourk. The 2025 General Election is approaching, and your vote will shape the future of Mount Pleasant—get the facts you need to make the best decision for you and your community.

Why is Perry running? After a lifetime in Mount Pleasant, Perry felt a calling to give back, leading him to immerse himself in Town Council and committee meetings to understand how local government truly works for its citizens.

As a seasoned business operator, Perry brings a proven leadership style focused on:

• Building and managing effective teams.
• Prioritizing preparation and listening.
• Taking input from all sides of an issue before taking action.

Perry Rourk is focusing on the issues that matter most:

• Strengthening Core Services (Police, Fire, Sanitation, etc.)
• Aligning Zoning Decisions with Infrastructure to ensure livability.
• Protecting what makes Mount Pleasant special.

Hear his specific stances on critical infrastructure and traffic challenges, including:

• The Billy Swails Parkway Extension.
• Crucial intersection and traffic light enhancements.
• Revisiting contentious issues on Highway 41 with Charleston County.

Don't miss this essential conversation! Find out where Perry Rourk stands and how he plans to move Mount Pleasant forward.

Connect with Perry Rourk and learn more about his platform at: www.VotePerryRourk.com

In this special edition of the Mount Pleasant Podcast, publisher Bill Macchio sits down with Mike Tinkey, who is running for re-election to Mount Pleasant Town Council.

With nearly 43 years of public service in Mount Pleasant and Wild Dunes, Mike shares the experiences and lessons learned since he first moved here. Get to know the man who wants to keep Mount Pleasant greener, the water cleaner, and the town's history preserved for our children's children.

Hear directly about Mike's involvement and advocacy in key town initiatives, including:

• The Fire and Police Departments
• Improving the Old Village green space
• Preserving the town's maritime culture
• Addressing stormwater issues
• The newly launched Green Commission
• The Community Forest Master Plan
• ...and much more!

Before you cast your vote for Mount Pleasant's next Town Council Members, watch or listen to this interview to understand how Mike's long-standing dedication can continue to benefit the town and its residents.

For more information about Mike Tinkey, visit: www.MikeTinkeyForTownCouncil.com

What drives a public servant to dedicate nearly 30 years to their community?

Host Zach Giroux welcomes Councilman Gary Santos to discuss his re-election bid for the Mount Pleasant Town Council. With a record stretching back decades, Councilman Santos offers a rare glimpse into the career highlights and pivotal experiences that have shaped his tenure and his dedication to the town.

The conversation covers his unique perspective on what's needed for Mount Pleasant's next phase, including:

• How his long record makes him the ideal candidate to tackle current challenges.

• The vital discussion on balancing strategic growth management with maintaining Mount Pleasant's exceptional quality of life.

• His specific goals and proposed solutions for the most pressing issues.

• His top three priorities for the town if voters send him back to Council.

Tune in to find out what motivates Councilman Santos, what differentiates him in the race, and why he deserves your vote in the upcoming Town Council election. Find out more at www.GarySantosLovesMP.com.

YOUR VOICE MATTERS—VOTE!

Early Voting: October 20-31 at Seacoast Church, 750 Long Point Rd, Mt Pleasant (weekdays only, 8:30 AM - 5:00 PM)

Election Day: Polls open November 4, 2025 (7:00 AM - 7:00 PM)

VOTE IN THE BEST OF MOUNT PLEASANT 2026 🥇⭐

Publisher/Founder Bill Macchio joins host Brian Cleary to talk about the history and impact of the Best of Mount Pleasant contest.

Hear the story of this community staple—from its roots in 1990 (when all voting was on paper!) to today's essential guide for residents and newcomers alike. Plus, get the scoop on the upcoming Best of Mount Pleasant Party!

Find out how to vote and secure your tickets for the annual celebration on Wednesday, October 8th at the newly remodeled Alhambra Hall! Enjoy an Oyster Roast, Lowcountry Cuisine & Cocktails, a Live DJ, and more.

Vote Now: VoteBestOfMP.com
Party Tickets (Oct 8th): BestOfMPTickets.com