MYRTLE BEACH – Hundreds of barbecue lovers got one last taste of summer in Myrtle Beach over Labor Day weekend at the 9th annual Beach, Boogie and BBQ festival at the Market Common.
More than 40 groups competed to prove they had the best in barbecue in the state.
But for one group, this annual event is about more than just the food: It’s about giving back to people in the community. The Greenville Shriners Hospital for Children set up a medical trailer at the event, and help came from several clubs from throughout the state, including the Omar Shrine, which has members from Clarendon County.
Parents had the opportunity to stop there over the weekend to get health consultations for their children.
Hospital Public Relations Director Ashley Taylor said doctors treat children from birth to 18 years old.
"Children who have conditions like clubfoot, extra digits and toes, cerebral palsy, spina bifida, scoliosis, really anything to do with bones, muscles and joints," said Taylor.
Sherry Baker said the hospital helped to change her adopted daughter's life. “She was placed in hot bath water when she was 14 months old and she was burned 55 percent of her body and she's probably had 75 surgeries between the time it happened until now, at least 75,” said Baker.
After the incident, Baker became the little girl's foster mother before adopting her at the age of 4. She was told her daughter would never be able to walk but she said that all changed with the help of the Shriners Hospital.
“She's going to be able to walk again, she's going to be able to run again, she's going to be able to do things that she never, we never thought she would be able to do,” said Baker.
Taylor said the Greenville Shriners hospital will receive around $5,000 from the barbecue sales.
This report was courtesy of Leah Mishkin and WBTW.
