[caption id="attachment_28301" align="alignright" width="300"]<img class="size-medium wp-image-28301" src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/04/COMMUNITY-DATAW-1ST-RESPONDER-LUNCH-300x201.jpg" alt="From left: Ted Bartlett, General Manager; Wells Morrison, Security Director; Chief Bruce Kline, Lady’s Island Fire District; Sheriff P.J. Tanner, Beaufort County Sheriff’s Department; John Schafer, DIC Board President; Mike Carakostas, DIOA Board Member" width="300" height="201" /> From left: Ted Bartlett, General Manager; Wells Morrison, Security Director; Chief Bruce Kline, Lady’s Island Fire District; Sheriff P.J. Tanner, Beaufort County Sheriff’s Department; John Schafer, DIC Board President; Mike Carakostas, DIOA Board Member[/caption]

More than 50 first responders drove to the scene of a special event on Dataw Island recently – an appreciation cookout and golf outing.

Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office, Lady’s Island - St. Helena Fire District and Beaufort County EMS came out to the Dataw Island Clubhouse to enjoy a complimentary thank-you luncheon and round of golf in appreciation of their hard work and dedication.

“These men and women have such difficult jobs and we are so thankful for the work they do every day in our community,” Ted Bartlett, Dataw Island General Manager said. “I’m surprised we didn’t think of this sooner and I’m glad to have them here.”

First responders are employees of emergency services who are likely to be among the first people to arrive at, and assist at, the scene of an emergency, such as an accident or natural disaster. Police officers, firefighters, paramedics and emergency medical technicians are all included in this definition.

“In our jobs we often see the worst in our community more than all the positive,” Beaufort County Sheriff P.J. Tanner said. “When a community like Dataw opens its doors to us like this it shows us how appreciated we are, and we are so grateful to Dataw for doing this.”

Luncheon attendees were treated to cookout style buffet followed by a round of golf for anyone who was able to stay and play. Those who stayed spent the afternoon on the Cotton Dike course at Dataw enjoying excellent weather and having fun with co-workers/friends.

Chief Bruce Kline of the Lady’s Island - St. Helena Fire District said, “This is a big deal for us.” He went on to say that first responders often have thankless and difficult jobs. “We really appreciate you all (Dataw) for having this event. It means a lot to us.”