Unless you've been living under a rock, you know that modern Americans are much fatter than they were just a few decades ago. Take one look around a shopping center or strip mall and it seems that half the people present are struggling with obesity. Recent data from the CDC supports those observations - more than 39% of adults in the United States were considered obese from 2015-2016. That number is up from 33.7 percent in 2007-2008.
Perhaps more alarming is the fact that severe obesity is on the rise as well. The same report from the CDC tells us that nearly 8% of Americans were severely obese from 2015-2016, which is up from 5.7% in 2007-2008. When you read between the lines, those statistics mean that almost 4 in 10 adults are obese in the U.S., and almost 1 in 13 are severely obese.
Unfortunately, "fixing" obesity isn't something that can be done overnight. There is no quick fix that is also safe and non-surgical. The obesity problem in the U.S. is only getting worse as more adults and children choose the ease and convenience of fast food sugar-packed products over healthy eating, exercise, and positive lifestyle choices.
Besides the challenges of being overweight, like clothes that don't fit and hurtful comments, the health risks are much more serious. Obesity can endanger your life, and those who rely on you may lose you earlier than expected. Over time, the likelihood of developing severe and life-altering health problems grows.
The good news is that a new medication called semaglutide in Aiken, SC, is available for people struggling with obesity. This game-changing treatment approaches obesity as a chronic metabolic disease rather than a problem that can be solved through willpower alone.
At VIP Cosmetic Surgery, we now ioffer semaglutide as part of our custom weight loss program. If you've been struggling with obesity and have tried other diets with little to no success, don't lose hope. With the help of our medical and nutritional providers, you can lose weight, keep it off, and take meaningful steps toward better health.
Our weight loss program with semaglutide starts with a comprehensive consultation and evaluation process. During this phase, we will determine the ideal semaglutide dosage for you and provide personalized nutrition and exercise guidelines. Once we have a better understanding of your body and your weight loss goals, you'll begin receiving regular injections of semaglutide in Aiken, SC.
It's your responsibility to incorporate lifestyle changes, specifically in your diet and exercise, to reach your weight loss goals. However, we'll be there every step of the way and conduct regular check-ins to help you stay on course. We'll also closely monitor your progress and overall health to ensure that your weight loss is safe and sustainable. The purpose of our semaglutide weight loss program is to offer a comprehensive weight loss treatment that helps you achieve natural, long-lasting results. That's the VIP Cosmetic Surgery difference.
Patients who sign up for our semaglutide weight loss program benefit from the following:
For semaglutide to have the biggest impact on your weight, you've got to make changes to your diet. When you eat nutrient-dense, whole foods that support weight loss and healthy living, you're setting yourself up for long-term weight loss. Our nutrition plans are comprehensive and customized to your needs and lifestyle. That way, when you're ready to make real changes in your life, we'll be there with a nutrition plan you can follow to make the journey easier and more sustainable.
One of the biggest reasons why people fail to achieve their weight loss goals is because they try to do it all on their own. When you sign up for VIP Cosmetic Surgery's semaglutide program, you benefit from monthly check-ins with Dr. Farr to see how your progress is going. During this meeting, you can talk to the doctor about your progress and what hurdles you're still trying to overcome. The doctor will give you advice and guidance based on his experience and - perhaps most importantly - help keep you on track so that you can lose weight and keep it off for good.
Our practitioners will provide tests to ensure that your body is healthy, hydrated, and well-fed. By checking your hydration and nutrition levels, we can help ensure you're losing weight in a healthy manner and not starving yourself. By maintaining optimal health throughout your weight loss journey, you're giving yourself the best shot at long-term weight loss.
For individuals working to lose weight and stay healthy, sticking to a consistent diet and exercise routine can be tough. Between work obligations and important tasks like picking your kids up from school, there just doesn't seem to be enough time in the day to eat healthy foods. After all, McDonald's is on the way home, and your little ones are screaming for food.
Fortunately, many busy people find semaglutide to be a valuable tool in their weight loss journey. This FDA-approved injection, used for treating both diabetes and obesity, functions by activating GLP-1 receptors in the brain to aid in weight loss and promote long-term health.
In more simple terms, semaglutide imitates glucagon in the body, signaling to the brain that you're full and don't need to eat more. When you take semaglutide and try to overeat, your body sends a message that says, "That's enough." In essence, it makes you feel full, so you're less likely to binge eat, especially at night when food tends to sit in your stomach.
Semaglutide also slows down digestion, reducing unnecessary snacking throughout the day. By minimizing glucose spikes after meals, it lowers inflammation, which is a crucial step in optimizing your overall health. Moreover, Semaglutide assists in insulin secretion by the pancreas regulates glucose levels in the body and even possesses anti-aging and longevity properties. If you're struggling with weight loss, treatments such as semaglutide can make a substantial difference for you.
In summary, semaglutide helps you lose weight in a few different ways, including:
At VIP Cosmetic Surgery, one of the most frequently asked questions our providers receive from curious weight loss patients is whether or not semaglutide is supported by clinical trials. As it turns out, many trials have been conducted measuring the efficacy of semaglutide for weight loss, and the results are very promising.
Semaglutide is designed for individuals with a body mass index (BMI) of 30 or higher who are attempting to shed at least 10% of their total body weight without success with other methods. Clinical trials involving over 1,900 obese adults who were unable to lose five percent of their body weight after a year of treatment with other medications demonstrated that semaglutide increased average weight loss from 2% to 20% over a treatment period of just over one year compared to a placebo.
In a different trial involving 1,387 patients with obesity (but not type 2 diabetes), participants were randomly assigned to different doses of semaglutide: 0.5 mg, 1 mg, or placebo for 104 weeks. The group that took the higher dose of semaglutide lost an average of 31 pounds, while those on the lower dose lost an average of 11 pounds.
According to the NCBI, the Semaglutide Treatment Effect in People With Obesity (STEP) trials have shown the efficacy of semaglutide, as well. In large randomized controlled trials, patients who received 2.4 milligrams of semaglutide lost a mean of 6% of their weight after 12 weeks and 12% of their weight after 28 weeks.
So, what do all these statistics mean for you? If you're looking to shed some pounds, it's worth giving semaglutide injections a shot. This type of treatment isn't a miracle drug, but it can significantly boost your chances of weight loss success. That's why, at VIP Cosmetic Surgery, we have incorporated semaglutide as a fresh treatment option for individuals grappling with obesity, especially those who have exhausted other remedies and are seeking something new.
As is the case with promising therapies like semaglutide, people considering the drug have a lot of questions about whether it's right for them. Keep reading to get answers to some of the most common questions relating to semaglutide.
If you're an adult dealing with obesity, excessive weight, or weight-related medical conditions such as high cholesterol or high blood pressure, semaglutide injections could be a suitable option for you. To qualify for semaglutide weight loss services at VIP Cosmetic Surgery, you must meet the BMI range criteria established by the FDA. If you're unsure whether semaglutide injections are the right choice for you, we recommend scheduling a consultation with one of our weight loss practitioners today.
Our doctors and practitioners often hear from patients asking whether semaglutide is safe for long-term use. It's natural to have concerns about a medication that impacts your body. Simply put, as long as you meet the criteria, it is safe to take this weight-loss medication. Even patients with endocrine, kidney, heart, and liver conditions can safely use semaglutide. As of June 4, 2021, the Food & Drug Administration has given the green light for semaglutide injections (2.4mg once weekly) for chronic weight management in adults with obesity and at least one weight-related condition.
Weight loss medications such as semaglutide may cause people to regain weight once the treatment is stopped. According to a clinical trial featured in Practice Update, participants regained 11.6% of their lost body weight within a year of discontinuing semaglutide medication and lifestyle intervention. Researchers suggest that this weight gain could be linked to the reversal of the cardiovascular benefits associated with semaglutide treatment, including stable blood sugar levels and blood pressure.
This data underscores the importance of continued medication and ongoing treatment for obesity as a chronic health condition to effectively manage its impact on quality of life and heart health. The key takeaway here is that due to its nature as a weight loss treatment, it's best to take regularly over time for the best results.
That length of time will vary depending on factors such as:
There's no question about it - semaglutide is making waves in the medical community. Thousands of obese men and women in the U.S. are using the treatment to get a handle on their weight and live healthy lives. With its ability to reduce blood sugar levels and facilitate weight loss, it makes sense that patients are looking for ways to get the most out of their regimen.
Keep reading to learn a few of the best tips to maximize your journey with semaglutide.
Before you start taking semaglutide or make any changes to your treatment plan, make sure to discuss it with your healthcare provider who prescribes semaglutide. They will evaluate your specific needs, determine the right dosage for you, and give you important instructions on how to use the medication properly. At VIP Cosmetic Surgery, our weight loss practitioners work one-on-one with every patient who takes semaglutide to ensure they're staying healthy, hydrated, and committed to our semaglutide program.
Make sure to keep a close eye on your blood sugar levels as recommended by your semaglutide provider. While semaglutide can assist in reducing blood sugar levels, it's important to regularly monitor your progress and make any necessary adjustments. When you begin a weight loss program at VIP Cosmetic Surgery, you can rest easy knowing we check your blood sugar levels periodically.
Regular physical activity can boost the effects of semaglutide. It's best to aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate exercise 3-4 times a week to support weight loss and overall health improvements.
It's important to understand that results may not happen right away and could take some time to become noticeable. Try to be patient as you follow your treatment plan, maintain consistency with lifestyle changes, and have confidence that positive results will come gradually.
To maximize the effectiveness of semaglutide, it's very beneficial to eat a well-rounded diet abundant in fruits, vegetables, lean proteins, and whole grains. Always try to choose nutrient-rich options over high-calorie, high-fat foods. That way, you can achieve your weight loss objectives quicker. When you work with weight loss experts like the doctors at VIP Cosmetic Surgery, you'll have access to customized nutrition plans that will help expedite your weight loss and keep off the pounds once you reach your goals.
Make sure to set up regular follow-up appointments with your healthcare provider to track your progress, make any necessary changes to your treatment plan, and talk about any concerns or questions you might have. At VIP Cosmetic Surgery, follow-ups and check-ins are built into our semaglutide program, giving you one less thing to worry about as you lose weight.
Are you striving to reach a healthy weight and live a more fulfilling life? Are you eager to have a positive impact on yourself and your loved ones? Take the first step toward better health by contacting VIP Cosmetic Surgery. Our experienced, compassionate practitioners will collaborate with you to identify your weight-loss goals. Once we know more about you and your body, we'll create a custom plan and provide the cutting-edge strategies and treatments you need to see real results. If you're ready to make a meaningful change, we're ready to guide you on the path to success.
During the cleanup process following Tropical Storm Helene, Aiken County Administrator Brian Sanders is asking residents to be patient.“It was a big storm with a huge impact, and we will get to you,” he said.According to a report released by the county Oct. 21, contractor Southern Disaster Recovery had collected a cumulative total of 5,996 cubic yards of debris, or 156 loads, through that date.“We’ll try to keep everybody updated on the progress,” Sanders said.The estimated cost to th...
During the cleanup process following Tropical Storm Helene, Aiken County Administrator Brian Sanders is asking residents to be patient.
“It was a big storm with a huge impact, and we will get to you,” he said.
According to a report released by the county Oct. 21, contractor Southern Disaster Recovery had collected a cumulative total of 5,996 cubic yards of debris, or 156 loads, through that date.
“We’ll try to keep everybody updated on the progress,” Sanders said.
The estimated cost to the county is roughly $25 million from the late September storm.
“Calling it an estimate is truly what it is because we have no idea,” Sanders said. “And that’s just for the county portion. That doesn’t include the two cities (Aiken and North Augusta) or the state.”
In its work for the county, Southern Disaster Recovery is only removing debris from alongside the roads that the county maintains, Sanders told the Aiken Standard. The S.C. Department of Transportation is responsible for removal of the unwanted material from alongside the roads it maintains.
In an early push, the cost of which (around $300,000) is included in the estimate, county workers were involved in moving trees that blocked roads maintained by both the county and the Department of Transportation in an effort to open them back up to traffic.
City of North Augusta and City of Aiken employees also pitched in, and “we honestly didn’t care who was doing what,” Sanders said.
The county’s estimated total cost includes the disposal of the debris by Southern Disaster Recovery.
“Collecting these huge trees and grinding them up and getting rid of everything — that’s going to be very expensive,” Sanders said.
During County Council’s meeting Oct. 15 and in recent interviews with the Aiken Standard, Sanders also addressed complaints from some members of the panel of elected officials about the county’s response following Helene.
Among the concerns expressed was the delay in obtaining and distributing emergency supplies of food and water.
Sanders said that based on tabletop exercises conducted by the county to prepare for disasters, local officials expected the American Red Cross to quickly provide and distribute food and water following Helene.
But “the fact of the matter was that they didn’t show up until eight days after the storm hit, so we had to fill the void, and yes we were slow to react,” Sanders said.
The county administrator stopped short of criticizing the Red Cross, however, telling County Council that he wanted to contact the organization and get more information before placing any blame.
“This was a big storm and there were commodities such as water, food, ice and [supplemental] oxygen that had to be spread over five-plus states, so they were in short supply,” Sanders said. “I’m not making any excuses for them (the Red Cross); they are a huge organization. But if they were in a bad situation, that’s understandable.
“I will find out [what happened] and that will be communicated,” he promised.
The county also requested 12 tractor-trailer loads of food and water from the federal government, and it ended up receiving only three.
But that wasn’t a problem in the long run after Walmart donated two loads of food and water to the county.
“We even had some left over and that went to the [local] Salvation Army’s food pantry because their pantry was completely depleted,” Sanders said. “We had more than enough; we just didn’t get it quickly enough.”
In addition to Walmart, Sanders praised the Salvation Army, volunteer fire departments, churches, Rural Health Services’ Clyburn Center for Primary Care, the National Guard and others for assisting the county and its residents.
“We had oxygen given to us by the state for people who were running out and had no power, but it’s like a prescription [because] you just can’t give it out,” Sanders said. “We had to have a distribution outlet and with one text, the Clyburn Center was on board.
“I’m proud of how our citizens reacted,” he added. “They were helping one another, which is absolutely essential. The government can step in to assist, but nothing really takes the place of neighbors helping neighbors.”
Another complaint about the county’s response following Helene concerned its communication of information to County Council and county residents.
In the opinion of some, it was ineffective in the storm’s immediate aftermath.
Because of that criticism, Sanders said he “got with” the county’s emergency management director Paul Matthews, who took action and developed a “sitrep” (situation report) that primarily has been used to keep County Council members updated.
“It’s more of an internal document,” Sanders said. “I have even put out a supplement to that when we’ve had additional information. We’ve got another idea about how to handle it, but it’s going to take a little thought and a little more preparation.”
According to Sanders, the county’s presence on social media “is not organized,” but that’s something he hopes will improve with the creation of a communications division, which will begin its work early in 2025.
Currently, people can find “a lot” of post-Helene information at aikencountysc.gov, Sanders said. Other options are the Aiken County Government and Aiken County Department of Emergency Management pages on Facebook.
“I think we’ve made some strides in the last couple of weeks, particularly with communication,” Sanders said.
County Council member P.K. Hightower, whose District 8 includes Aiken’s Northside, told Sanders Oct. 15 that the county should undergo an after-action review process to analyze its post-Helene response.
She also recommended seeking public input.
“I completely agree,” Sanders said. “I promise we’ll do it on this one because we do have some things to make better.”
As of October 2024, the average solar panel system costs $2.51/W including installation in Aiken, SC. For a 5 kW installation, this comes out to about $12,531 before incentives, though prices range from $10,651 to $14,411. After the federal tax credit, the average price drops by 30%.You'll probably pay even less than what we show here. It doesn't include the federal ITC or Aiken, SC state incentives, which wi...
As of October 2024, the average solar panel system costs $2.51/W including installation in Aiken, SC. For a 5 kW installation, this comes out to about $12,531 before incentives, though prices range from $10,651 to $14,411. After the federal tax credit, the average price drops by 30%.
You'll probably pay even less than what we show here. It doesn't include the federal ITC or Aiken, SC state incentives, which will lower this price by at least a few thousand dollars.
It may seem obvious but larger solar panel systems cost more money. We use cost per watt ($/W) so you can easily compare quotes, controlling for slight variations in system size.
While a 5 kW system will only cost you $12,531 in Aiken, SC, doubling the system size effectively doubles the price, so you'll pay about twice that for a 10 kW system. The higher the price tag, though, the more you'll get back as a credit towards your federal tax bill.
If you can't shell out $12,531 in cash to pay for solar, don't sweat it. You can choose to finance your system with a loan instead. Some companies even offer $0-down loans so you can start saving on day one if your loan payments are less than your current electric bills. Just keep in mind that your long-term savings will be lower with a loan due to interest rates.
The numbers we're showing are averages. The price you'll pay for solar depends on many factors unique to you and your home:
If you're looking for solar companies in SC, here are some popular suggestions:
Solar is a major purchase, but you can get the price tag to come down a bit by being an educated shopper. Taking advantage of incentives and rebates and shopping around for quotes can bring down your cost of solar in Aiken, SC.
As long as your federal tax bill is high enough, you can take advantage of the federal tax credit in Aiken, SC. This incentive allows you to apply 30% of your solar installation and equipment costs toward your federal tax bill. If the amount exceeds your tax bill, you can roll over the remaining credit to the following year. Many states also offer great local incentives and rebates.
Comparing multiple solar quotes can save you money through competition and transparency. Each additional quote you receive for solar will help you find the right solar panel system at the right price.
This is where EnergySage can help. With funding from the Department of Energy’s SunShot Prize, EnergySage opened the country’s first (and now the largest) marketplace for home solar panel installations. We gather custom solar quotes from local installers on your behalf and put them in an easy-to-compare format. When you compare quotes for solar panels on the EnergySage Marketplace, you can expect to see prices up to 20% lower than if you work with a single solar company.
When Aiken County residents head to the polls Nov. 5, they'll be asked to weigh in on four questions.First, all South Carolina voters will be asked to amend the state constitution to add that only citizens 18 and older can vote in the state's elections.Second, Aiken County voters will be asked if the county-wide Capital Project Sales Tax should be renewed for the fifth time.Third, Aiken County will be asked if the county-wide Education Capital Improvement Sales Tax should be renewed. And fourth, Aiken County residents wi...
When Aiken County residents head to the polls Nov. 5, they'll be asked to weigh in on four questions.
First, all South Carolina voters will be asked to amend the state constitution to add that only citizens 18 and older can vote in the state's elections.
Second, Aiken County voters will be asked if the county-wide Capital Project Sales Tax should be renewed for the fifth time.
Third, Aiken County will be asked if the county-wide Education Capital Improvement Sales Tax should be renewed. And fourth, Aiken County residents will be asked if the school district should be allowed to issue bonds to fund these improvements.
The Constitutional Ballot Committee recently certified the question.
The South Carolina Senate voted 40-3 in April to add the question to ballots. The South Carolina House of Representatives voted unanimously to add the question in May.
Republicans control the South Carolina General Assembly — they have a super-majority in the House and a near super-majority in the Senate — and have pushed to increase the state's election integrity after former President Donald Trump made allegations of election fraud following the 2020 election.
The Capital Project Sales Tax is a 1 percent sales and use tax. Because 1 percent of $1 is one penny, the Capital Project Sales Tax is also informally referred to as a penny sales tax.
South Carolina law allows each of the 46 counties to implement the tax to fund specific capital improvement projects like roads, bridges, water, sewer and public safety equipment if a majority of the county's voters say yes to the tax in a general election.
Aiken County has had a Capital Improvement Sales Tax since 2000, Aiken County Council Chairman Gary Bunker said Aug. 21.
Therefore, voters aren't voting to add more onto their restaurant bills, they're voting to keep paying the same amount, Bunker said.
State law also mandates that proceeds of the tax be divvied up between the county and the municipalities within it based on the percentage of the county's population each government represents.
If a majority of Aiken County voters say yes in November, the tax is expected to generate around $260 million from May 1, 2026, through April 30, 2033.
Aiken County would receive $127.58 million. The city of Aiken would receive $79.66 million. The city of North Augusta would receive $48.63 million. And the county's eight smaller municipalities would receive a combined $8.15 million.
Like the Capital Project Sales Tax, the Education Capital Improvement Sales Tax is also a 1% sales and use tax. It is commonly known as the school penny tax or the penny for the schools.
Aiken County voters approved the school tax in November 2014 and would be voting to keep their restaurant bills the same instead of voting to raise them.
However, unlike the Capital Project Sales Tax, the school tax is effective for 10 years and it is expected to generate $398 million, Superintendent Corey Murphy said at the chamber event.
Aiken County has to allocate 10 percent to property tax relief and can only "bond out" 90 percent of the remaining money or roughly $285 million, Murphy said.
Unlike the Capital Project Sales Tax, the Aiken County Board of Education doesn't have to split the tax but it does have to find projects that will gain the support of a majority of the county's voters.
The school board selected five projects.
The projects include upgrades at South Aiken, Midland Valley and Silver Bluff high schools, replacement of North Augusta Middle School and a new elementary school to serve the fast-growing Midland Valley area.
What is the best internet provider in Aiken?Aiken's fiber footprint is increasing and if your address is serviceable, it's the best choice for most. CNET's pick for the best internet service provider in Aiken is AT&T Fiber. Offering speeds as high as 5,000Mbps and competitive pricing, it's your best bet for reliable connectivity. There are no contracts or data limits, and the equipment rental is free, making it a great deal.If AT&T isn't available, options like Breezeline, Xfinity or...
Aiken's fiber footprint is increasing and if your address is serviceable, it's the best choice for most. CNET's pick for the best internet service provider in Aiken is AT&T Fiber. Offering speeds as high as 5,000Mbps and competitive pricing, it's your best bet for reliable connectivity. There are no contracts or data limits, and the equipment rental is free, making it a great deal.
If AT&T isn't available, options like Breezeline, Xfinity or T-Mobile are solid alternatives -- especially if affordability is a factor. Breezeline and Xfinity offer plans starting at just $20 and $30, respectively. You’ll get a bit more speed with Xfinity (150Mbps compared to 100Mbps from Breezeline), but equipment costs may be higher with Xfinity and a 1.2TB data cap may apply.
Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
The best internet deals and top promotions in Aiken depend on what discounts are available at the time. Most deals are short-lived, but we look frequently for the latest offers.
Aiken internet providers, such as Xfinity, may offer lower introductory pricing or streaming add-ons for a limited time. Many, however, including AT&T Fiber, Breezeline and T-Mobile Home Internet, run the same standard pricing year-round.
For a more extensive list of deals, check out our guide on the best internet deals.
Source: CNET analysis of provider data.
Most internet connection plans can now handle basic productivity and communication tasks. If you're looking for an internet plan that can accommodate video conferencing, streaming video or gaming, you'll have a better experience with a more robust connection. Here's an overview of the recommended minimum download speeds for various applications, according to the FCC. Note that these are only guidelines -- and that internet speed, service and performance vary by connection type, provider and address.
For more information, refer to our guide on how much internet speed you really need.
Internet service providers are numerous and regional. Unlike the latest smartphone, laptop, router or kitchen tool, it’s impractical to personally test every ISP in a given city. So what’s our approach? We start by researching the pricing, availability and speed information, drawing on our own historical ISP data, the provider sites and mapping information from the Federal Communications Commission at FCC.gov.
But it doesn’t end there. We go to the FCC’s website to check our data and ensure we consider every ISP that provides service in an area. We also input local addresses on provider websites to find specific options for residents. We look at sources, including the American Customer Satisfaction Index and J.D. Power, to evaluate how happy customers are with an ISP’s service. ISP plans and prices are subject to frequent changes; all information provided is accurate as of publication.
Once we have this localized information, we ask three main questions:
While the answer to those questions is often layered and complex, the providers who come closest to “yes” on all three are the ones we recommend. When selecting the cheapest internet service, we look for the plans with the lowest monthly fee, though we also factor in things like price increases, equipment fees and contracts. Choosing the fastest internet service is relatively straightforward. We look at advertised upload and download speeds and consider real-world speed data from sources like Ookla and FCC reports. (Ookla is owned by the same parent company as CNET, Ziff Davis.)
To explore our process in more depth, visit our how we test ISPs page.
4OCTToday’s lunch menu: shredded chicken and noodles with freshly baked cornbread.For many in the area with no power, they have been surviving on peanut butter sandwiches or crackers. Their first hot meal following the destruction left in the wake of Helene came from one of The Salvation Army’s canteens or food delivery trucks.Aiken, S.C., and the surrounding counties, according to officials, was the hardest hit area in the state, on the eastern side of Helene’s eye wall. When Helene unleashed he...
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Today’s lunch menu: shredded chicken and noodles with freshly baked cornbread.
For many in the area with no power, they have been surviving on peanut butter sandwiches or crackers. Their first hot meal following the destruction left in the wake of Helene came from one of The Salvation Army’s canteens or food delivery trucks.
Aiken, S.C., and the surrounding counties, according to officials, was the hardest hit area in the state, on the eastern side of Helene’s eye wall. When Helene unleashed her fury, she came with 7-12 inches of rain and winds estimated to have reached 100 miles per hour. As a result, nearly a third of the county remains without power a week after the storm. Many homes have been damaged and some destroyed altogether.
By God’s providence, The Salvation Army Corps in Aiken was spared from loss of power, despite the surrounding neighborhood and 98 percent of the county losing power. For this reason, The Salvation Army was able to respond in the immediate aftermath. From the Corps kitchen, with one stove, Cheatham and an army of staff of volunteers prepare each day for reaching out in the community.
The Salvation Army has been on the ground serving here from the beginning; it has provided more than 12,000 meals since Friday, Sept. 27 at multiple locations. Many of the neighborhoods The Salvation Army is serving were not only the hardest hit, they were already struggling before the storm.
“People barely making it by have now been pushed over the edge,” said Captain Michael Good, Corps Officer for The Salvation Army in Aiken.
Good accompanies staff and volunteers to strategic locations across the region for lunch service. You can find him hugging residents, sharing a reassuring smile and providing an even more critical service than feeding: prayer.
People arrive at the KJ’s Market in Aiken for a hot meal, many not expecting power to be restored at their homes for days, or even weeks. It’s obvious The Salvation Army’s presence is a spark of hope in an otherwise desperate situation. But, the gratitude is evident.
“God bless y’all.”
“Thank you so much.”
“Thank you; I have six kids at home.”
“God bless you, I really mean it.”
Good shares an encouraging smile. “How are you holding up? You doing okay?”
“I’m trying, I’m taking it a day at time,” he hears in response.
Good stops in the moment and prays for God to provide peace and comfort. He asks God to be with the power crews and linemen and for power to be restored to homes quickly. Another resident drives by to pick up meals for her family, and Good reaches through the car window to hold hands and spend a moment in prayer. She prays for Good in return.
“What prayer does is allow people to feel seen and heard. Hot meals do something for the body. Prayer does something for the soul.”
People are desperate for power to be restored at their homes. Today, they are experiencing a different kind of power – the power of prayer in their lives. A simple act of kindness, just stopping for a moment to pray, makes people light up.
“You can find some food, water and ice. It’s hard to find hope. The Salvation Army brings hope.”
Salvation Army crews return to the Corps building from serving more than 1,100 meals at lunch and they immediately begin planning and preparing for what's next, ensuring they are reaching the communities that need it the most. Good’s phone rings constantly as he coordinates with government agencies and partners. Volunteers and staff – including Jannie Cheatham – clean up from lunch and take inventory of what’s on hand in preparation for the next meals.
What’s on the menu tomorrow?
For certain, it will be a warm meal for the body and hope for the soul.
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