Our Passions
The Folly Beach Chair Company was established in 2008 with the intent of being a responsible corporate citizen and helpful, nurturing member of the Folly Beach community. At our core we strive to operate in a manner that lifts up and serves the community we are a part of. Rooted in Volunteerism, Community Activism, Charitable Support and Philanthropy, we believe in giving back to the community that supports us.
Our mission is mirrored in our actions… from becoming Official Stewards of the Beach with Charleston Surfrider Foundation, to organizing multiple charity fundraising events benefitting Surfers Healing, Folly Beach Community Emergency Fund, People Against Rape, the fund for Folly Beach Cancer Survivors, Pet Helpers, Lowcountry Orphan Relief (our Partner, Isla Surf School is also a supporter), and the Charleston County Lifesaving Association. We also provide primary sponsorship, donate resources, and volunteer for numerous other causes including Green Heart Project Beach Camp, Take a Kid Fishing, the Folly Beach Turtle Team, Lowcountry Orphan Relief’s Annual Beach Day, and so many more.
WhaleTales Living Classroom
We created WhaleTales Living Classrooms with a focus on Ecological Education, Environmental Protection, Conservancy and Stewardship of Folly Beach Wildlife and Natural Resources. WhaleTales Living Classrooms has provided educational day trips to Folly Beach for school-aged children with challenging backgrounds from around the Lowcountry for 6 years and growing.
WhaleTales Living Classrooms’ goal is to provide, educate and inspire a lifelong passion and love for the ecosystem and wildlife surrounding us, free of charge to the many kids in the Lowcountry who may not have such an opportunity. We collaborate with Educators, local After-School programs, School Field Trip Coordinators, local education based Non Profits and Environmental and Conservation Agencies to achieve this goal.
- Underserved children and adults are able to participate FREE in the many educational and fun Tours, Day Camps, Beach Sweeps and other activities designed to foster stewardship of the beach, ocean, rivers, dunes and wildlife.
- Educational sessions with members of the Folly Beach Ocean Rescue and Folly Beach Junior Lifeguard Programs promoting water safety and awareness can be offered. Programs like these help inspire many driven young people to become future Lifeguards!
- Enjoy activities with the Folly Beach Turtle Team! Learn about the plight of our beloved Sea Turtles and how we can promote and protect these creatures and their environment.
- WhaleTales Living Classrooms will engage in creating and organizing new Charitable Fundraising Events and continue to aid other organizations aspiring to serve our community and its people.
The Sweep Dragon
The Folly Beach Sweep Dragon has hatched! Born from the mind and hearts of the Folly Beach Chair Company team through the years of conservation efforts. Our mission is to help make Folly Beach free from dangerous litter and informed about conservation through education and action.
We hope to educate our community with information about conservation, ecology, and stewardship of the beach. Out in the field, we will be using our brand new UTV (AKA the Sweep Dragon herself) to participate in beach sweeps, disaster relief, educational opportunities, and so much more. We already have been using her to pick up any litter our crew may see, monitor the beach for any holes to give the turtles a safe journey to the ocean, and The Sweep Dragon participated in her first Beach Sweep for World Oceans Day!
The Folly Beach Chair Company family is dedicated to keeping our community clean, safe, and informed.
Learn more here: follybeachchairrentals.com/sweepdragon/
The Green Heart Project
The Green Heart Project builds garden-based experiential learning projects and school garden programs to educate students, connect people and cultivate community through growing, eating, and celebrating food.
Wendy and Mike Ezelle of the Folly Beach Chair Company were founding members and volunteers with founders Karalee Nielsen and Chauncey Jordan. Together, alongside a handful of friends, they played an integral role in developing the program and building our pilot garden site at Mitchell Elementary School.
To donate: greenheartproject.bigcartel.com/
Lowcountry Orphan Relief
Lowcountry Orphan Relief strives to provide support services and aid to meet the needs of the Lowcountry children identified as at-risk or suffering from abandonment, abuse and/or neglect. The Folly Beach Chair Company has provided shade and relaxation for their annual Beach Day on Folly several years.
To donate: lowcountryorphanrelief.org/donate/
Pet Helpers
Pet Helpers strives to end the euthanasia of adoptable cats and dogs by keeping all animals until adopted; providing low cost spay/neuter surgeries; offering humane education programs; pursuing animal cruelty prosecution; and initiating animal welfare legislation.
Today, it is only a matter of time before no adoptable animals are euthanized. We have assisted in fundraising efforts by donating our packages to silent auctions.
To donate: pethelpers.org/donate/
Charleston County Lifesaving Association
Members of the Folly Beach Ocean Rescue Squad created the Charleston County Lifesaving Association (CCLA) to support new initiatives for life saving techniques and team building.
The CCLA is long time friends with us at the Folly Beach Chair Company. Many of our own crew were lifeguards. We supported them for the 2021 United States Lifesaving Association Tournament through donations and fundraising efforts. These donations went to provide ongoing work towards their mission of education and advocacy and competition costs such as: registration, equipment, travel expenses, and uniforms.
To donate: www.charlestonlifesaving.org/give
