Recent Community Posts

Leadership Day at Devon Forest Elementary

5/19/2022 (Permalink)

Student's welcome attendees on Leadership Day at Devon Forest Elementary school in Goose Creek, South Carolina. Student's welcome attendees on Leadership Day at Devon Forest Elementary school in Goose Creek, South Carolina.

SERVPRO of Greater Northern Charleston and Dorchester County has the honor of working with a wide community in South Carolina that stretches from the city of North Charleston to Summerville, from Moncks Corner to Goose Creek, and to helping folks in Ladson and Hanahan it’s always a privilege to work with our community. 

We were recently invited to join other local community leaders attending the “Leaders In Me” Leadership Day at Devon Forest Elementary in Goose Creek.  And what an event it was, with the wonderful theme of being on a Jungle Adventure.  We were greeted by a host of children waving large hands and shaking pom-poms as we all walked into the school.  We were then lead to the cafeteria for a very generous breakfast of delicious doughnuts, fruits and beverages.

The event officially kicked off with a couple small performances by the students.  The children expressed how they grew as leaders throughout the year focusing on seven key habits; Being proactive, beginning with the end in mind, putting first things first, think in win-win terms, seeking first to understand and then to be understood, synergy, and staying sharp.  These are all great habits that will absolutely lead these young leaders to success. 

We were then taken on a tour of the school where we got to learn firsthand about how the children have worked towards their goals this year.   Our young Jungle Adventure tour guides took us to different classrooms where the children showcased displays that highlighted their activities, from collecting can tabs for a donation goal to those in need, to the Kindness Crew and their efforts to do kind things around the school, all of the children did a fabulous job expressing themselves, and their efforts.

The last stop of our tour was to the 4th and 5th grader classrooms.   We were provided with an opportunity to step into classrooms in action where the teachers worked their normal curriculum and the students showcased what they were studying or working on.  Every classroom was very welcoming, and it was a marvel to see how the kids truly loved their work with “Leaders in Me” and how it helps them stay focused on achieving their goals.

The event concluded with the tour leading us back to the cafeteria for another rousing performance from the students.  The school’s drumline did a wonderful native drum song, followed by the choir singing “You are never fully dressed without a smile” from the play Annie.  The students finished the event with a speaker’s panel where they took questions from the attendees.  Each student did a great job of expressing themselves and the importance of becoming leaders and sticking to those seven habits that will surely get them to their goals.

It was a great experience to be invited to a wonderful community event.  It is so important that we as a company not only make ourselves available as a business but also as neighbors showing support to those who live in our community.   SERVPRO of Greater Northern Charleston and Dorchester County hopes each one of the students of Devon Forest Elementary grow up to be successful leaders and positive forces in their community because it was so obvious that they have already begun to take that path.  Great job Devon Forest!  See you next year!

To see more photos, and learn more about Devon Forest Elementary and Leadership Day follow these links!

Charleston Summer Sun and Fun

7/6/2017 (Permalink)

The Charleston sun can be brutal. Be prepared to protect yourself before hitting the sand! #BeReady #SERVPROnchs

Unless you have been trapped inside the last couple weeks, you are well aware that Summer has officially arrived in Charleston, SC!  Temperatures are rising, beach and boat traffic are picking up, pools are full, and flip flops are the city wide choice of footwear.   This time of year the risk of sun damage to the skin is at an all-time high.  Premature aging, aggravated cataracts, skin tone change, and most importantly skin cancer are all risks of too much exposure to the harmful rays of the sun. 

The US Environmental Protection Agency has a wealth of information available on the subject of sun damage and how to protect yourself.  Obviously, staying out of the sun all the time is not an option that most of us on the coast will even consider.  However, there are options to at least do what we can to protect our skin when we are out and about having fun in the Charleston sun!   Sunscreen, hats, swim shirts, etc. Check out this article from the EPA for all the information you need: "The Burning Facts"

When you have taken the necessary precautions to protect your skin, you will also need to be prepared to have a little fun.  We thought we’d help with that as well.  Check out the Charleston Visitor’s Bureau calendar of family events for the Summer: Family Fun Events

Have fun and be safe out there!

School's Out, Charleston!

5/30/2017 (Permalink)

Congratulations Class of 2017 Charleston Area Students!

Congratulations Lowcountry students, teachers, school staff, and parents!  One more school year successfully on the books and it’s time for summer!  We will have plenty of summer safety and vacation activities to share with you during your family’s break from the school year, but for now we just want to say “Congrats!”  SERVPRO of Greater Northern Charleston loves working with local schools across the Tri-County area and we look forward to helping you be as prepared as possible if you experience any unfortunate water or fire disaster over the coming months. 

So, in between your trips to the beach and other Charleston summer shenanigans, be on the lookout for posts that can help you protect your home or business! 

If you need us in the meantime, we can be reached 24/7 at (843) 552-1226

2017 Spoleto Festival is just days away!

5/18/2017 (Permalink)

The Spoleto Festival is one of Charleston’s crown jewels each year and one of the many reasons SERVPRO of Greater Northern Charleston is proud to call the Lowcountry our home.  Founded in 1977 in order to mirror the summer music and arts Festival dei Due Mondi in Spoleto, Italy, Charleston set the perfect stage and has attracted musical and visual artists from all over the world. In true Charleston “love of all things local” fashion, the festival expanded rapidly to incorporate our abundant local and regional talent in 1979.  Piccolo Spoleto was born and now showcases over 500 artists and performers each year.  Truth be told, for most locals, it is our favorite part of this incredible 17 day event.

For more information on the schedule of events for this year’s Spoleto and Piccolo Festivals check out the links below:

                ~ Spoleto Festival, 2017

                ~ Piccolo Spoleto, 2017

See you on the Square!

As always, we love doing business with you, Charleston!

9th Annual LifePoint Race for Life

2/24/2014 (Permalink)

Awesome turn out at the Race for Life, Charleston SC!

SERVPRO of Greater Northern Charleston was so proud to see our 2014 pet project, LocalPassport.org, make their first appearance this weekend at LifePoint's 2014 Race for Life.   LifePoint creates awareness of the extreme need for increased organ donor registry and provides donor services to 62 hospitals in the state of South Carolina.  In addition, they educate hospital staff members and and helps families through the process of making a confident decision about organ donation during and extremely difficult and confusing time.

We also had the privilege of working side by side with Palmetto Crossfit owner , Alana Hopkins.   Alana has spent the last several years raising funds for a double lung transplant for her son, Tripp, with Cystic Fibrosis. Tripp did not find relief and healing in the way friends and family had hoped. However, his loving and vibrant spirit continues to live on and inspire so many.  The most notable are certainly his mother and sister.  They have not wavered in their fight to help those who need lifesaving transplants to have a better chance of living every single day.  As incredible as she is, Alana was only one of many in attendance this weekend that are pushing thru loss and putting their grief on display with the hope that more will choose to be organ donors.  If by now, you are wondering how you can register:  This link can help.

With almost 600 run/walk participants, a field full of vendors and even a few furry friends, the 9th Annual Race for Life was a huge success.  We met some awesome new people and thoroughly enjoyed the warm, beautiful weather!  A much needed change from the weeks of ice, freezing rain and frozen water pipes!  Needless to say, we walked out of the park Saturday with a heightened understanding of what we can accomplish as a community if we pull together. 

Every year more and more lives are saved due to new technology and medical procedures using donor organs. Localpassport.org worked tirelessly to help promote this event and increase participation. This is just the first of many events they will support and we are thrilled to be their 2014 calendar sponsor!

We at SERVPRO of GNC have dedicated 2014 to digging in a little deeper into the communities we serve in the Greater Charleston Area. Do you have a favorite charitable organization or fundraising event? Please contact Local Passport's 2014 ambassador, Bryan McElveen at Bryan@CharlestonEcoRealtor.com to have your event listed and promoted... Free of charge!  As Charleston’s EcoRealtor, his passion for sustainability and community in the Lowcountry is contagious. 

SERVPRO specializes in making disaster that strikes your home or business “Like it never even happened.”    LifePoint also strives to provide recovery solutions... on a far, far greater scale.  Every day they are dedicated to increasing the odds of those who otherwise would have run out of options.   Thank you LocalPassport.org for introducing us to LifePoint!  

For information on when/where you can catch the next SERVRO of Greater Northern Charleston sponsored event follow us on facebook, linkedin, and twitter.   And for a little “Save the Date” heads up:  March 28th.  Details to come!

Have an awesome week, Charleston!   

PS.  There were quite a few links for some great local businesses and organizations in the blog post above.  If you have time, go back and check a few of them out!  

Happy New Year!

1/7/2014 (Permalink)

Looking so forward to another great year working with Charleston area home and business owners.

We just wanted to take a minute to slow down and wish all of our friends, family, clients and future clients a hearty Happy New Year!  The holiday season is always a whirlwind for everyone and we sincerely hope you have all had a chance to take a breath and catch up a bit this first week of 2014.

We have some exciting new things on the books for this year. Our favorite:  Having the opportunity to host the 2014 Final Friday networking events.  The last Friday of every quarter, we will be partnering with Charelston EcoRealtor on Passport 72's newest project, www.localpassport.org.  This online calendar focuses on non-profit events exclusively, and each quarter features a local organization to receive all proceeds from a corporate sponsored business networking event.  Sounds fun, right?  This year's 4 netoworking functions will be held at 4 of our favorite restaraunts in the North Charleston Area.  You do not want to miss out!  

Please take a couple minutes to check out the facebook pages of Passport 72 and LocalPassport.org so you can stay up to date on the details of when, where, and who will benefit from the March Final Friday. (Links at the bottom of this post.)

We are thrilled to be part of the Charleston community and can't wait to give a little back this year.  Thank you so much for trusting us with your homes and businesses over the 7 years.  Looking forward to what the next 7 have in store! 

With Overwhelming Gratitude, 

Liz and Brandon Ferm

Facebook Links Below... even throwing ours in there as a bonus!

Passport 72    LocalPassport.org  Charelston EcoRealtor

SERVPRO of Greater Northern Charleston

Two-Step Approach to Disaster Readiness

9/5/2013 (Permalink)

Helping homes and businesses in Charleston, SC be more prepared.

North Charleston, SC (Grassroots Newswire) August 22, 2013 - There is no predicting when or where a disaster may strike, leaving property destruction and damage in its wake. But National Preparedness Month, sponsored each year in September by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), focuses the nation’s attention on the steps home and business owners can and should take to be ready to respond to emergencies, including natural and man-made disasters.

“SERVPRO® professionals know a lot about disaster cleanup,” said BrandonFerm, Owner of SERVPRO® of Greater Northern Charleston. “And one of the most important things we know is that it’s better to take steps to prevent or minimize damage from an unexpected weather event or other disaster than it is to try to clean up after it. That’s why we emphasize the importance of readiness to our clients through SERVPRO’s ‘Emergency READY Program.’ Being ‘READY’ can make the difference between moving back into your home or losing it – or staying in business or closing the doors forever.”

As a National Sponsor of the American Red Cross Ready Rating ProgramTM and the originator of SERVPRO’s Emergency READY Program, SERVPRO® is uniquely positioned to offer North Charleston area home and business owners guidance on a robust, two-step approach to disaster planning and recovery, encompassing both readiness and recovery planning, according to Ferm.

Step 1: Readiness Planning

Knowledge is power, and the American Red Cross Ready Rating™ program is designed to help home and business owners assess their level of preparedness for weather-related or other emergencies in advance.  This free, web-based program, available at readyrating.org, walks responsible parties at businesses, organizations and schools through a 123-point self-assessment of their establishment’s level of preparedness for weather-related or other emergencies, and then offers tips and best practices to help improve their readiness.

Step 2: Recovery Planning

Through SERVPRO’s Emergency READY Program, local schools, businesses and other establishments can arrange for a SERVPRO® of Greater Northern Charleston disaster recovery professional to establish an Emergency READY Profile® (ERP) for their facility, at no charge. The ERP is a comprehensive document containing critical information about the business, including emergency contact information, shut-off valve locations and priority areas. In the event of an emergency, the ERP can help minimize business interruption by ensuring there is an immediate plan of action already in place for the facility. If disaster strikes and damages the business, the ERP can save the property owner both time and money during the recovery period. Smartphone app and web versions of the Emergency READY Program are also available.

“This two-step approach to disaster readiness makes perfect sense,” said Rick Isaacson, Executive Vice President of SERVPRO Industries, Inc., “because it provides a complete readiness solution for businesses and other property owners. In Step One, The Red Cross Ready Rating Program gives individuals the knowledge they need to take all necessary steps before disaster strikes to protect their property from damage and loss. Step Two kicks in when disaster does strike and fast response is key to minimizing damage and downtime. Knowing what to do and who to call saves critical time – and that’s where SERVPRO’s Emergency READY Program can help. Together, these two programs offer maximum peace of mind to businesses and other organizations.”

SERVPRO® of Greater Northern Charleston specializes in disaster restoration, cleanup and repair services, helping to remediate damage, making it “Like it never even happened,” for both commercial and residential customers. North Charleston area residents are encouraged to contact BrandonFerm of SERVPRO® of Greater Northern Charleston at (843) 747-8750 or beready@servproofgnc.com or visit www.servpronortherncharleston.com for information on readiness resources including SERVPRO’s free READY Plan Mobile Application, available on all smartphones.

For more information on the Red Cross Ready Rating program, please visit http://readyrating.org/.