Episode Transcript
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Speaker 1 (00:01):
Welcome to Carolina Conference Call. It's a public affairs program
produced by iHeartRadio Greenville. I am Bill Ellis and talk
about putting fun into fundraisers. That's what our friends at
Cancer Survivor's Park Alliance do and they're doing it again
this summer. We're going to tell you more about it
with their executive director, our friend Kay roper K. Good morning,
Good morning, Bill.
Speaker 2 (00:20):
Always love to be here.
Speaker 1 (00:22):
It's a thrill having you here. We're going to talk
about Saints for Survivors and a couple of the performers,
if you will, are our guests this morning. As we
get to this, can you tell folks that maybe someone
who's new listening what Cancer Survivor's Park is all about.
Speaker 2 (00:38):
The question we are about changing the way we live
with cancer, because we do, Bill, More and more people
are diagnosed and it can be treated chronically. But it's
a horrible disease. But we celebrate that people have survived,
they lived, they did survived all the way along the journey.
So from the point of diagnosis to the if someone
does lose their earthly battle, here we celebrate that thing.
(01:00):
We live and we provide programs in a beautiful six
point eight acre Park to hope, reflect and restore yourself.
Speaker 1 (01:07):
You know, life is a series of blessings and curses,
and sadly everyone has the story about being cursed in
one way, shape or form by cancer. I lost my
mom to cancer, as you well know, and I'm proud
to have her name there on your boardwalk. And then
the boardwalk was really the first part is I understand
it in the evolution going from Church Street right down
to the READI right, that's what really big.
Speaker 2 (01:29):
You're right there along with us. That was in I
cannot believe it twenty fifteen.
Speaker 1 (01:32):
Yeah, ten years ago. It was two years.
Speaker 2 (01:34):
And it was crazy, but it switched back to because
that land is owned by Natural d Trust. Really cool
a conservancy area and it's lovely to see what it's
done now.
Speaker 1 (01:43):
I took up bike riding about twenty fourteen, and for
a long time, you know, i'd park over at Cleveland Park,
get the bike off the hitch, take it and there's
that little unpleasant stretch that you go between Cleveland Park
and Falls Park, And I said, someone needs to do
something with that.
Speaker 2 (01:57):
Are you the one who told them to do that?
Speaker 1 (01:59):
I think it was. I think we were talking on
the radio one day we were saying no, no, and
I know this park is growing and it's this really,
I mean the swamp Ray Beortrail is growing, and I
know it's going to develop it and you turned it
in your alliance and all the volunteers and all the
contributors have turned this into a place of comfort for
me as someone who lost someone to cancer. And my
(02:21):
mom was a survivor for a very long while and
fought a heroic battle against it more than forty years ago,
and she belongs there along with everyone else who has
a survivor's tale. But if for me when I'm taking
that bike ride, I'm coming back from tr and I'll
stop there and that's my place just sit and be
with mom for a while.
Speaker 3 (02:39):
I love that.
Speaker 1 (02:39):
It's a blessing. But again, there's so many different programs
like you say that, there are continually You're very proactive
day in and day out.
Speaker 2 (02:47):
We are, and I appreciate you saying that is for
you and so many people go they rest upon the
lion that is based off as Lin from the Chronicles
of Narnia.
Speaker 1 (02:54):
That's amazing.
Speaker 2 (02:55):
There's a new blue Heron statue down in the Heilling garden.
If people haven't seen it, have not fans and interestingly,
the real blue Heron does not know what to do
with it. It comes and looks funny, it is funny. Yeah,
And we have different projects. We're working on a nature
footpath with again natural interest in another a seer club
members helping us. So awesome, a lot of people that
(03:16):
understand the power of nature and how you can sit
by a brook or you can just meditate or feel
better about yourself and your stress comes down. And that
is a real thing with helping to increase the wellness
in your body.
Speaker 1 (03:29):
I have felt myself. Anyone you folks listening right now
on this Sunday morning, why don't you go over today?
Today would be a perfect day. I know it's a
little warm, but in the shade and the comfort of
Cancer Survivor's Park. Thanks to our friends at Cancer Survivor's
Park Alliance, you have this beautiful place to beat. This
organization truly is the heart and the spirit behind this
(03:52):
amazing park that we all get to enjoy. But it
does take funding and it's a continual effort on y'all's
behalf to find ways of doing it. And over the
years you've done some fun things.
Speaker 2 (04:02):
We just try to be creative.
Speaker 1 (04:03):
Yes. Now, last year, I know Sink for Survivors was
a big hit and you thought why not bring it
back again? So can you lay out what to Sink
for Survivors? Is all about the what to wear and
all that.
Speaker 2 (04:13):
Absolutely August twenty third, most important, that's the Gate Greenville Theater.
I still say Greenville Little Theater, but GREENVI, I know
I do next to the Hughes Library, but a classic
intimate space. But bottom line, people are familiar with lip
sync battles. I'm sure in the radio industry. They have
a microphone and they pretend to sing, so people that
are afraid to sing don't have to worry about being
(04:33):
in it. But it's an epic battle of seven teams
that will be on the stage performing two to three
minute maybe one four minute song and I'm not allowed
to maybe say the songs. Some of them will be surprises.
What I've been told is that they will not be unmemorable.
People will not forget these performances. Teams of two, teams
of one. Our guests today are both performers. They can
(04:55):
share more. But it's actually a way they're excited to
have fun and and raise money. It's a way that
people can participate. We packed the little theater last year,
sold out, we're hoping to again, and you will have
food and drink and fun. But it's just a way
to raise good money and have fun.
Speaker 1 (05:14):
You have a great social media presence, but go right
to the to the well if you will sync for
Survivors dot org. That is their website. That's where we'll
find out more about this event, how to get your tickets,
who's performing, and you get to meet to some of
the stars, if you will, Can I take them and
introduce you to one of them? Joshua McClellan, Yes, there,
I'm here. You're a fireball, all right? South Carolina guy?
Speaker 3 (05:36):
Huh, Yes I am. I am directly from Forks, South Carolina.
Speaker 1 (05:40):
Not five forks out where I live. You got one fork,
it's worth yeah. Say now you moved here? What about
thirteen years or so ago? You and your lovely wife
and make.
Speaker 3 (05:51):
Your hord me here and I'm happy to be here.
Speaker 1 (05:53):
Okay, so you are, Joshua. What's a name got to
do with it? Is the team? Is that the name
of your team?
Speaker 3 (06:00):
That's the name of my team.
Speaker 1 (06:01):
But we're not We're not doing a Tina Turner song necessarily,
or are we? Or what can you tell us about
your performance that folks will see on the twenty third
of August.
Speaker 3 (06:11):
I can truly say that you would not be disappointed.
My mom didn't raise a snack. So I don't really
want to.
Speaker 4 (06:17):
Tell too much.
Speaker 1 (06:18):
I understand.
Speaker 3 (06:19):
Just know that when you come, you will be amazed
and you will throw a lot of dollars at the boy.
Speaker 1 (06:26):
He's a player.
Speaker 2 (06:27):
Yes, yes, it is about voting.
Speaker 3 (06:29):
By the way, it is so like I'm going to
be using these hips that I cannot lie that I have.
So I am ready to raise some great money for
a great cost.
Speaker 1 (06:39):
Well, they're very blessed to have you. Why are you
doing this?
Speaker 3 (06:42):
I think, like God is everybody a gift, And I
think one of the gifts that God gave given me
was to bring joy and love to people. And I
feel like sometimes when people have cancer, they do there
they're down, so like I feel like for my my
job is to, like, hey, spread George, spread love and
encourage them. I had a aunt who had cancer three
different times with three different types of cancer. Oh my goodness,
(07:04):
had blood cancer, thyrough cancer, and breast cancer. And and
I tell you this, this lady was strong. She beat
every three of them. And so I'm like, you know what,
she's a fighter. I need to start fighting for others
two as well. And so that's kind of one of
the reasons I'm doing this uh lip sync battle and
also again to raise great money in ps because I'm
(07:26):
a house husband. My wife's on the board.
Speaker 1 (07:27):
I have to do I see. But again, I think
you were meant for this kind of work. You do
seem to light up when you're around people. You certainly
have lit this room up for sure. Are you a
better singer or a better lip sinker?
Speaker 4 (07:41):
Oh?
Speaker 3 (07:41):
I think I'm a better singer.
Speaker 1 (07:42):
Oh, now I'm sing.
Speaker 4 (07:44):
I can do it.
Speaker 3 (07:45):
I'm a performer. I am a true performer. So like
that's why I'm encouraging people to donate by tickets, be sponsors,
and come out and see a great show.
Speaker 1 (07:54):
That is Joshua McClelland one of the stars.
Speaker 3 (08:00):
You gotta do it and vote for us, please.
Speaker 1 (08:02):
Let it go to raise money for Greenville's Cancer Survivor's Park.
And again, this wonderful event is Saturday night, August twenty third,
downtown Greenville, Theater, if you will, used to be the
Little Theater, but we call them Greenville Theater now on
College Street. Sinc. For Survivors dot org. Another star is
going to join us right now, representing team Arbor Spice.
(08:22):
Welcome in, Alex Williams. Alex some So you don't seem
to be quite as wild, I guess as as Joshua,
but I'm sure you bring your gifts to this event, right.
Speaker 4 (08:34):
I Am not as much of a fireball as Joshua
is apparently, but we're trying.
Speaker 1 (08:39):
So So what is your walk of life? What do
you do for a living?
Speaker 4 (08:42):
I am a landscape designer with Arbor land Design. Just
a little background, like that's kind of why I'm participating
in this event partially. You know, Arbor designed the park
continues to partner with the Alliance, and so we thought
this was a good way to like give back. So
people from Arbor or Arbor Spice, that's our team.
Speaker 1 (09:03):
I love the name. Yeah, So you're not naturally a performer,
but what you must really believe in this project. Obviously
your company is very much a part of it, but
you must really believe in this project to be willing
to get up and do something like this because it's
not easy folks.
Speaker 4 (09:19):
No, I'm usually a pretty introverted person, so this is
definitely outside of like my my wheelhouse. But maybe that
is a good reason to come and see. Yeah, the
effort that we're putting into it.
Speaker 1 (09:30):
The thing you'll find is you never know something about
when the moment comes and you have to look out
at the crowd because it's going to be packed. You
look out and you said, not one of these people
would probably want to do this, that this is so
against the grain to get up in front of people
to perform. And that's when that you get that moment
of freedom and just let it go. And that's what
(09:50):
you'll do. I'm sure you'll be You'll be shining bright,
just as Joshua will. Okay, how many performers do we have?
Speaker 2 (09:57):
Making one one? We do all night? It's crazy, it's crazy.
Last year they wanted more. We had similar last year
and we looked around and thought, this is what you want.
You want them wanting more, and so we have everyone.
We have a one person team and then I think
Arbuspice is the five person team is the largest and
bless them. They each each performer is responsible for raising
(10:17):
some money five thousand dollars.
Speaker 1 (10:18):
It's a big commitment.
Speaker 2 (10:19):
Yes, they can get ten dollars votes. It's really fun
to see how they have been creative with this, but
then to see them come together at the studio. We
have a lovely partner in Shop Dance Theater and they
have donated all of their instructors and their team and
their rooms. And we were there last night till nine
thirty at night, be bopping around. What's the thing?
Speaker 1 (10:40):
It's more than me. It's choreography. I mean, that's a
big part of it. It's just we're not just flip singing.
We are literally putting on a show.
Speaker 2 (10:46):
Oh my goodness, And that will be the fun of
what people see. And there will be some surprises this night.
There will be surprises. You will expect something and it
will be something else. And we are just thrilled.
Speaker 1 (10:57):
This place has been my hometown since nineteen eighty seven,
and I've lived more of my life here than I
have in my native hometown of Charlotte's where I was raised.
And when you read all the accolades about Greenville, what's
wonderful about Greenville? And they talk about of course Falls
Park and downtown and the restaurants and all the different
entertainment venues and the great economic climate and everything else,
(11:17):
but really at the heart and soul of it is
its people. The people here are the ones who contribute
into this city to make it a better place. And
that's exactly what Cancer Survivor's Park Alliance is, and the
people you've just met on our show today that are
participating in this event on August twenty third.
Speaker 4 (11:32):
Bill.
Speaker 2 (11:33):
One of my favorite things about the Cancer Survivors Park
Alliance is that we're a park of stories, and you
have stories with people, and every one of these performers
has a story, and if they go to the website,
they can read why they are all participating, how cancer
has touched them, how the park has touched them, and
what part they have played in that. Because that's what
I love about even Greenville. We're such a community. It's
(11:53):
so much more than just a town and agree more.
It's lovely, so new people I'm sure will be at
this event. I think some people like self who have
been here quite a long time my whole life. It's
a very lovely theater with an intimate experience and every
seat is good, and so it's just something that I
think will be an experience of joy really that they'll enjoy.
Speaker 1 (12:13):
It's gonna be a fun night, and these two characters
are gonna be awesome. This is just the tip of
the iceberg, as you said, because everyone else is going
to be amazing city.
Speaker 2 (12:22):
The diversity of the teams kind of cool too. Everybody
can relate. Oh, I can do that, you know well.
Speaker 1 (12:27):
Alex Williams and Joshua McClellan, thank you both. Yeah, I
appreciate it. Appreciate you both for being here and for
what you're doing for this amazing organization and this park
that we all enjoy. Kay Roper is the executive director
of Honey. You are the heart behind it all and
I'm so grateful for your friendship and what you've done.
You will, and we appreciate you.
Speaker 2 (12:45):
Like Joshua and Alex, who believe in us and continue
to come back.
Speaker 1 (12:48):
So please support this fun event at the Downtown Greenville
Theater on College Street. Sink for Survivors. It's Saturday night,
August twenty third ticket to a deal and it's all
for a wonderful cause. Start by going to Sink for
Survivors dot org and do yourself a favor soon, if
not today, go visit Cancer Survivors Park. It's this beautiful
little place between Falls Park and Cleveland Park and you
(13:09):
will love spending time there and find out more about
this great organization. Support it as you can again syncpur
survivors dot org. Thank you all for being on Carolina
conference call.