Author: Jennifer Cummings

Take a step back in time. It’s September 1989, just a few months before Christmas. Summer is ending and fall is on the horizon. Then, on Sept. 21, Hurricane Huge rips through Horry County. The damage across the county, and South Carolina, is devastating. Homes are destroyed and many people are without power for more than a week.

Fast forward three months. December has arrived and people across Horry County are preparing for Christmas, after enduring the Category Four hurricane weeks prior. Almost beyond belief, an unprecedented snowstorm covers Horry County in over a foot of snow the week of Christmas.

The two intense weather events three months apart triggered a thought for Janice Ash Sialiano. At the time, she was volunteering with the American Red Cross, providing meals to families for several weeks throughout both natural disasters. Standing in a kitchen over a little stove, she and another volunteer wondered about the many people who don’t have a home or anywhere to go for Christmas.

A new Christmas tradition

Christmas dinner is a sacred time for families. A time to laugh, share memories and reflect on the things we’re thankful for. After the devastation and loss in 1989, Sialiano knew she had to create that same opportunity for those who don’t have a home or family with which to spend the holiday. What better way to do that than by bringing people together for Christmas dinner?

The idea for the Community Christmas Dinner was born. “We started calling the fire departments, emergency services, police and whoever could help us get meals out to whoever needed them,” says Sialiano. A local church allowed Sialiano and her team of volunteers to use their kitchen. Five hundred meals were provided to people in Myrtle Beach in the first year.

The event was so successful it’s become an annual Christmas tradition. The Community Christmas Dinner today is a nonprofit 501 (c)(3) organization. The organization has a board of directors and Sialiano serves as the president. The board is responsible for planning the event and working to coordinate volunteers across multiple counties.

Spreading love and cheer

This year marks the 34th Annual Community Christmas Dinner. “As the dinner has grown over the years, we’ve started expanding into neighboring cities and counties,” says Sialiano. “We went into Murrells Inlet, then into Georgetown and Williamsburg counties and now we’re in Dillon County.”

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the Community Christmas Dinner hosted a sit-down meal, as well as delivery and pickup. “It was a huge event. We had Santa Claus, Pippy Longstocking, face painting and an amazing meal,” says Sialiano.

For the past few years, meals have been provided by delivery and pick-up only. This year, Sialiano and her team expect to feed over 14,500 people.

Serving up smiles

The Community Christmas Dinner takes pride in serving up a smile, along with a nearly two-pound meal. This year, the volunteers and chefs will be responsible for cooking 2,100 pounds of halved chickens and 4,000 pounds each of green beans, mashed potatoes and corn. With the help from the chefs at Crabby Mike’s restaurant in Surfside, volunteers package a full meal, and even to-go meals to help people and families in need.

“The owner of Crabby Mike’s, Mike Arakas, jumped in about 11 or 12 years ago. Since they run a daily buffet, it’s not a big deal for them to make thousands of half chickens for this event, like it would be for you or me,” Sialiano says.

Volunteers, church groups and businesses across Horry and neighboring counties also help with baking 14,000 servings of dessert.

“Each year, five or six ladies and their daughters come in and they’ll make a thousand cookies for us. They’ll put them in little packages. It’s something they look forward to every year because it’s their gift to the community,” says Sialiano.

Sialiano adds the event wouldn’t be possible without the hundreds of volunteers who elect to spend Christmas with their community.

“We have an amazing team of volunteers across the counties we serve,” Sialiano says. “The people who cook, deliver food and donate to this dinner are the reason it happens every year. They are the lifeline of this entire operation.”

Making a difference

Community events like this are the reason Horry Electric, and other South Carolina electric cooperatives, launched the Who Powers You contest this year. This contest is a way to recognize the unsung heroes making a difference.

Sialiano was selected as Horry Electric’s Who Powers You winner. She was awarded a $500 prize. “This $500 will pay for 150 to 200 meals for the Community Christmas Dinner,” she says. After being presented with her prize, she added she would be matching that $500 out of her own pocket to pay for an additional 150 to 200 meals for this year’s event.

“One of the seven cooperative principles that guide us is concern for community,” says Executive Vice President and CEO Danny Shelley. “The work Mrs. Sialiano and her team are doing is admirable and making an amazing impact in our community.”

As the local winner, Sialiano has been entered into the statewide Who Powers You contest for a chance to win $2,500.

Monetary donations are needed to make this event a continued success. If you’re interested in donating to this organization, visit the Community Christmas Dinner Inc. Facebook page. If you or someone you know needs a meal this Christmas, the Community Christmas Dinner Facebook page will post contact information after Thanksgiving. Horry Electric will share these posts to raise awareness for this event.

A Tropical Storm Warning has been issued for the entire Grand Strand area ahead of Hurricane Ian’s arrival. When the storm arrives, it is expected to be Tropical Storm Ian. Our service area will likely be impacted by tropical storm weather beginning late Thursday, September 29 and throughout Friday, September 30, according to local weather reports. Meteorologists are predicting strong wind gusts, heavy rain and isolated tornadoes. Members should prepare for potential power outages. Wind is our biggest enemy when it comes to power lines. Based on the severity of the storm, members could be without power for multiple days.

Horry Electric is preparing for severe weather and we encourage members to have an emergency plan in place. Have your emergency kit stocked with water, nonperishable foods, batteries and flashlights.

It is very important to stay up-to-date with local media outlets on inclement weather. If you have a medical condition requiring the use of special, electric-powered medical equipment, please make plans to temporarily relocate to a place that will not be impacted by the storm. Please consider backup oxygen tanks, a generator, or a place to evacuate until your service is restored.

The MyOutage text message alert program provides a convenient way to stay connected during a power outage.

You need to have a cell phone number listed on your account to be automatically enrolled in the program. You can do this by signing into the MyEnergy Online portal or by calling (843) 369-2211 and speaking to a member service representative. You will receive an enrollment text message the following day from 1 (844) 369-2767. Save this number in your contacts as MyOutage.

Text “OUT” to report an outage. In the event of a major storm, like Tropical Storm Ian, estimated restoration times may not be available. Outages from major storms may take multiple days to restore. We will work to keep you updated on outage restoration progress. We will also communicate this information on our Horry Electric Facebook page.

STAY CONNECTED:

Outage Map: View the Horry Electric Cooperative outage map.

Storm Preparedness Tips: Find storm preparedness and safety tips on Horry Electric’s website. You can find information on severe storms, generator safety, and more.

Report an Outage: If you experience a power outage, there are five ways to report it:

1. Text “OUT” to MyOutage at 1-844-369-2767
2. Call PowerTouch at 843-369-2212
3. Use the HEC mobile app
4. Access MyEnergy Online
5. Text OUTAGE to 352667

Christmastime is quickly approaching, which means Horry Electric is searching for a great Christmas card to send out this year! The Cooperative is looking to make the company Christmas card personal and unique. What better way to do that than by incorporating the children in our communities?

We’re looking for students in kindergarten through fifth grade to create our card. We encourage students to be as creative and colorful as possible, while incorporating our electric cooperative into their Christmas card theme. This could include: Willie Wiredhand (co-op mascot), bucket/line trucks, linemen, employees, power lines, light bulbs, rural area scenery, etc.

Horry Electric will be presenting a $100 cash award to the student whose card is chosen for our Cooperative to send out this Christmas.

Contest requirements:

• Please include the “Horry Electric Cooperative” logo or “HEC” on the cards.
• Cut-outs or computer designs cannot be used on the card.
• The card format is an 8 1/2″ x 11″ sheet of paper folded in half (5 1/2″ x 8 1/2″). Other sizes will not be accepted.
• Children in K5-5th grade may enter.
• Children will design the front and inside right of the card only.
• ALL entries must include the following information on the back of the card: student’s first and last name, school name and grade level.

Drop-off submissions will be accepted at Horry Electric’s Conway and Socastee offices:

Conway Office:
2774 Cultra Road
Conway, S.C. 29526

Socastee Office:
5889 Highway 707
Myrtle Beach, S.C. 29588

Mail-in submissions must be placed in a sealed envelope and sent to:

Horry Electric Cooperative, Inc.
P.O. Box 119
Conway, S.C. 29528
Attn: Jennifer Cummings

Please submit all cards no later than Wednesday, October 5, 2022.

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Horry Electric Cooperative, Inc.
Christmas card contest Enrollment, Competition & Prizes
Official Rules, Terms, and Conditions

1. No Entry Fee Required.

2. Timing. The Christmas Card Competition & Prizes (“Promotion”) begins on August 23, 2022, and ends at 11:59 PM ET on October 5, 2022 (the “Promotion Period”).

3. Overview. This is a submission contest solely intended for Horry County students in kindergarten through fifth grade who design and submit a Christmas card for the 2022 season during the Promotion Period.

4. To Enter. Entrants may enter by designing and submitting a Christmas card that meets the Cooperative’s requirements. Entrants must enter only one submission. Entries submitted in violation of the contest entry rules will not be considered [be void]. All entries become the property of the Cooperative and will not be returned. All entries must be received by 11:59 PM ET on October 5, 2022, the official end date of the Contest Period.

5. Eligibility. Entrant must be in kindergarten through fifth grade at the time of entry, and the Entrant must be a student in Horry County. This Promotion is void outside of South Carolina and is subject to all applicable federal, state, and local laws.

6. Judging Criteria. One winner will be selected by a panel of judges from all properly submitted registration entries by November 1, 2022.

7. Prize Awarding. The winner will be announced on or about November 1, 2022 from among all eligible entries received. The winner will be notified by phone or in person.

8. Prizes/Odds. There will be one (1) prize awarded: $100.00 (USD) cash from the Cooperative.

9. Terms/Conditions.

a)     By signing up, Entrant and parent/legal guardian/teacher warrants and represents that he/she is a student in kindergarten through fifth grade in Horry County;

b)     The Cooperative reserves the right to disqualify any submission at any time in the event the Cooperative determines, in its sole discretion, that the submission is inappropriate, not in keeping with Cooperative’s image, or that an Entrant or Submitter has not otherwise complied with these Official Rules, Terms, and Conditions;

c)     By claiming a prize, the winner agrees that the Cooperative, and its officers, employees, members, affiliates, agents, and advertising and promotional agencies, [do not have any] have no liability whatsoever for any injuries, losses, or damages of any kind related to participation in this Promotion, or from acceptance or use/misuse of any prize offered;

d)     Acceptance of a prize shall constitute the winner’s agreement that the Cooperative or its agent(s) may publish/print the winning Christmas card design, use and/or display the winner’s name, address (city, state only), likeness, entry (and content) and/or prize information, without limitation, for promotional purposes, without further consideration, except where prohibited by law;

e)     You agree to release Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or other social media platform and acknowledge that this promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by or associated with Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or other social media platform;

f)     All taxes on prizes (if applicable) are the sole responsibility of the winner;

g)     Prize is not transferable or assignable.

10. Sponsor. Horry Electric Cooperative, Inc., 2774 Cultra Road, Conway, SC 29526.

Void outside of South Carolina and wherever prohibited or restricted by law.

Have you ever received a utility bill higher than normal? Did you find a problem in your home that you were unaware of because of that high bill? Maybe it was a hot water leak or heat strips constantly running, but your high electric bill pinpointed something was amiss.

Members can sign up for a high energy use alert, which will notify you of increased electric use one day after a potential problem happens in your home. With the high energy use alert, the member determines a maximum daily kilowatt hour or maximum daily dollar amount threshold. If your daily electric use exceeds the maximum setting, you will be alerted. Members can update their threshold setting at any time.

Members can choose how they would like to be alerted – text message, phone call or email.

During the month of July, any member who adds high energy use alerts to their account will be automatically entered into a prize drawing for one of five $50 electric bill credits.

Members have until 11:59 p.m. on Sunday, July 31 to enroll. You can add a high energy use alert to your account by logging in to the MyEnergy Online portal, signing in to the HEC Mobile app, or by calling (843) 369-2211 to speak to a member service representative during regular business hours.

The winners will be announced in early August. 

The contest rules are outlined below.

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Horry Electric Cooperative, Inc.
High Energy Use Alerts Sign-Up Competition & Prizes
Official Rules, Terms, and Conditions

1. No Purchase or Entry Fee Required.

2. Timing. The High Energy Use Alerts Sign-Up Competition & Prizes (“Promotion”) begins at 12:01 AM Eastern Time (“ET”) on July 1, 2022, and ends at 11:59 PM ET on July 31, 2022 (the “Promotion Period”).

3. Overview. This promotion is a submission contest solely intended for members of Horry Electric Cooperative, Inc. (“Cooperative”) who currently are not enrolled in High Energy Use Alerts but who register for High Energy Use Alerts during the Promotion Period. Interested parties (the “Entrant” or “Submitter”) may be:

a)     an individual member of the Cooperative (“Entrant”), or
b)     an individual member entering on behalf of a legally-registered organization or association that is a member of the Cooperative (“Submitter”).

Entrants and/or Submitters may sign up for High Energy Use Alerts, and five (5) randomly selected Entrants will be awarded a $50.00 (USD) bill credit on their next bill from the Cooperative.

4. To Enter. Entrants and/or Submitters may enroll online by visiting MyEnergy Online to sign up in the member portal, logging in to the HEC Mobile app, or by calling us at 843.369.2211 during regular business hours. Entrants and/or Submitters must enter only one submission. Entries submitted in violation of the contest entry rules will not be considered [be void]. All entries become the property of the Cooperative and will not be returned. All entries must be received by 11:59 PM ET on July 31, 2022, the official end date of the Promotion Period.

5. Eligibility. Entrant and/or Submitter must be at least eighteen (18) years of age at time of entry, and the Entrant and/or Submitter must be a member of the Cooperative.  The following are not eligible to participate: a) officers, directors, and employees of the Cooperative; and b) the immediate family members (spouse, parents, children, siblings, and their respective spouses) of Cooperative employees and household members with whom they may reside (whether related or not); existing members of the Cooperative who are currently registered for High Energy Use Alerts. This Promotion is void outside of South Carolina and is subject to all applicable federal, state, and local laws.

6. Judging Criteria. Five winners will be randomly drawn from all properly submitted entries by August 9, 2022.

7. Prize Awarding. The five winners will be randomly selected and announced on or about August 9, 2022 from among all eligible entries received. The five winners will be notified in writing or by phone that the credit has been applied to their respective accounts.

8. Prizes/Odds. There will be five (5) prizes awarded: five $50.00 (USD) statement credits on the member’s next bill from the Cooperative. Odds of winning will be based on a random drawing from the total group of eligible submissions.

9. Terms/Conditions.

a) By submitting an entry, Entrant warrants and represents that he/she is a member of a South Carolina Electric Cooperative;

b) By submitting an entry, Submitter warrants and represents that he/she registered a legally-registered organization or association that is a member of the Cooperative;

c) The Cooperative reserves the right to disqualify any submission at any time in the event the Cooperative determines, in its sole discretion, that the submission is inappropriate, not in keeping with Cooperative’s image, or that an Entrant or Submitter has not otherwise complied with these Official Rules, Terms, and Conditions;

d) By claiming a prize, the winner agrees that the Cooperative, and its officers, employees, members, affiliates, agents, and advertising and promotional agencies, [do not have any] have no liability whatsoever for any injuries, losses, or damages of any kind related to participation in this Promotion, or from acceptance or use/misuse of any prize offered;

e) Acceptance of a prize shall constitute the winner’s agreement that the Cooperative or its agent(s) may use and/or display the winner’s name, address (city, state only), likeness, entry (and content) and/or prize information, without limitation, for promotional purposes, without further consideration, except where prohibited by law;

f) You agree to release Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or other social media platform and acknowledge that this promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed, administered by or associated with Facebook, Twitter, Instagram or other social media platform;

g) All taxes on prizes (if applicable) are the sole responsibility of the winner;

h) Prizes are not transferable or assignable, except to a surviving spouse, or at the sole discretion of the Cooperative.

10. Direct Marketing. By entering the Promotion, Entrant acknowledges that he/she may receive various marketing or other information from the Cooperative or its affiliated member electric cooperatives regarding their products or services. If an Entrant does not desire to receive this information, an Entrant may opt out by calling 843.369.2211 or emailing Service@horryelectric.com

11. Sponsor. Horry Electric Cooperative, Inc., 2774 Cultra Road, Conway, SC 29526.

Void outside of South Carolina and wherever prohibited or restricted by law.

At Horry Electric Cooperative, we’re proud of the role we play in bringing the light to the communities we serve. We love the opportunity to get to know our members better and hear about the great things members are doing in our area. Through the months of June and July, we need your help!

We know our service territory is filled with unsung heroes who are helping those in need and empowering their neighbors. These are the members that inspire our commitment to community and we want to celebrate them.

If you are inspired by someone making a difference in our community, the #WhoPowersYou contest is your chance to honor them and tell their stories. Anyone can nominate a neighbor, but nominees must either be a cooperative member, live in a residence served by an electric cooperative or be making a positive impact in a community served by the cooperative.

Horry Electric will choose a local winner, who will win a prize of $500. The local winner will then have a chance at being named the 2022 South Carolina #WhoPowersYou Hero and receive a $2,500 grand prize. Winners will be selected by a panel of judges based on the impact they have on our community.

You can nominate a local hero by visiting ecsc.org/WhoPowersYou, where you’ll be asked to share a photo of your nominee and answer three questions about how they are making difference in their community.

All entries must be submitted by July 31, 2022.