Check out our November newsletter!
Why We Give Back to the Regions We Serve SUPPORTING OUR COMMUNITIES
WE’VE GOT YOUR BACK Nov/Dec 2020
When we say, “We’ve got your back,” we really mean it. That isn’t just a slogan for our firm. The team at Schiller & Hamilton Law Firm lives this philosophy each day in every community we serve. Our four offices were opened for this purpose, and that’s a commitment we make every year. We believe that when a community and its members trust you to serve them and pay you for that service, that comes with responsibility. We wouldn’t be living up to our principles if we didn’t, in turn, give back some of our time, money, and expertise to the very communities paying us to represent them in court.
the River Swim, which is an event that draws swimmers from across the state and raises funds for the swimming program at the Y. It’s a great draw for our community, and the proceeds benefit a truly impactful program. Our office is also involved in many other activities and community events. I’m a member of Bikers Against Bullies. (I’m an avid Harley rider!) We promote safe school and learning environments by teaching kids that bullying is problematic. We teach tolerance, acceptance, and understanding to our next generation. As I mentioned, it’s not only our Beaufort office that’s actively engaged in our community. The attorneys and legal staff at our various locations are also very involved in the regions we serve. Our Rock Hill location is a regular sponsor of ChristmasVille, a holiday village and art festival that spreads holiday cheer to all of the surrounding regions. They also sponsor the Come See Me tailgate (part of the Come See Me art festival), the Ramah Juco Academy football team, the Winthrop University Eagle Club, and many other groups. Our Lancaster and Bluffton locations are also very active in the local United Way and other groups, too. We even have two members of our team who serve in local government positions! My partner Joel Hamilton, who is out of the Rock Hill office, is on the York County Council, and attorney Kevin Phillips serves on the Port Royale City Council. Joel is also involved in the Historic Rock Hill Foundation board, the ChristmasVille board, the Rock Hill Economic Development Council, and the Fort Mill Economic Partners board. We are proud to serve our communities, both by being leaders in the courtroom and in the communities in which we work. We believe in bettering the regions we serve because, in order to truly have your back, we have to walk the walk. To all of the South Carolina communities we serve, we will always have your back. If there are groups in need of our support, please let us know.
Each of our four locations — Rock Hill, Beaufort, Lancaster, and Bluffton — are involved in the communities they serve. Whether that’s done individually by those who work
there or if the entire office is involved, we make it a mission each year to allocate funds from our budget for giving back.
In Beaufort, we’ve chosen to be involved with quite a few charities, but we’re getting involved with new ones all the time. If we learn of a charity
803.366.0333 197 S Herlong Avenue Rock Hill, SC 29732 843.379.5006 78 Sams Point Road Beaufort, SC 29907 803.285.2900 302 N Main St., Ste. C Lancaster, SC 29720 843.341.9418 16 William Pope Drive Suites 101 & 103 Bluffton, SC 29909
golf event that needs a sponsor for Hole 8 or a road race in need of volunteers to pass out water, we gladly sign up. This is just a list of the groups we have regularly helped. Beaufort Charities is one of our biggest beneficiaries. We admire the work the group is doing to give out more than $100,000 annually to dozens of organizations across the region. In particular, we sponsor the oyster roast. (If you live in the region, you know this event is legendary!) All the funds raised from that scrumptious feast are donated to Beaufort Charities for their philanthropic funding. None of the funds go into overhead, as the charity is completely not-for-profit. I also serve as the chief volunteer officer — or chairman — on the board of directors at the Beaufort-Jasper YMCA. Because of this role, I’ve gotten our firm involved in the many events hosted by the YMCA. Specifically, we sponsored
–Bennett Schiller
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MEDITATION ALTERNATIVES
Meditation is lauded for its health benefits and is often suggested as an effective way to clear the mind, organize thoughts, and reduce stress. Realistically, however, it’s not for everyone. In fact, some people don’t experience any benefits at all from meditating. In a recent study published in New Scientist about the effectiveness of meditation, researchers confirmed that some people do not benefit from meditation and that about 8% of people who try meditation experience an “unwanted effect,” such as an increase in anxiety.
Exercising outdoors or in nature — especially in new places — enhances these benefits. Because your surroundings are going to be unfamiliar, your mind is more focused, which can help if you’re searching for clarity. Stay mentally engaged. Many people achieve clarity, focus, and stress reduction through simple but engaging tasks, such as immersing themselves in an adult coloring book, doing brain teasers, or assembling LEGO sets, which proves they can be effective therapeutic tools or alternatives to meditation. The LEGO Company has actually been developing more products for adults with this sort of research in mind. But why LEGO products specifically? In addition to being objects you touch and push together, LEGO products come with clear, step-by-step instructions, which make them easy to put together and allow you to focus more on the task at hand. Even if you don’t complete the piece in one sitting, working on a project a few minutes a day can be a beneficial way to find a little clarity.
If you’re not interested in meditation, or it just doesn’t work for you, here are some alternative ways to clear your mind and reduce stress.
Get serious about physical activity. Aerobic exercises — like walking, jogging, running, cycling, and swimming — are great for clearing your mind and getting your body moving. Really, any exercise that gets the heart pumping and increases your respiratory rate will do. Research supports that aerobic exercise is a great alternative to meditation that yields many of the same benefits.
Seasonal affective disorder (SAD) is a common form of depression that is known to affect people during the winter months, and while we enjoy seasonably pleasant weather year-round here in South Carolina, we are not immune to its effects. Experts point to shorter days and dreary weather, which confuse our circadian rhythms, as culprits of SAD. When it gets dark earlier, our bodies believe it is time to sleep just as most of us are settling down for our supper! This change in rhythm causes mood swings, depression, anxiety, and social withdrawal. As this particularly difficult year winds down, many people may find themselves experiencing more than just the “winter blues.” If you’re struggling with increased depressive moods, mood shifts, and frustration, seek help from a licensed professional. Your doctor may be able to prescribe
medications, therapies, and other treatments to help you through this difficult season.
These healthy options may also help:
Exercise: Movement is good for your body and your mind! Exercise releases endorphins, which are your body’s feel- good hormones. A little movement can go a long way in helping you feel better. Find a Hobby: When you’re focused on creating the perfect painting or piecing a quilt together, you’re exercising your brain. As you immerse yourself in a hobby, you create new neural pathways, which strengthen your mind and help you stay occupied. Be Social: Loneliness is a risk factor for SAD, so jump on a video call or visit your best friend on their patio for any extra pep you may need. Find a Support Group: Whether you love fishing or want to talk with others who can sympathize with your life situation, there’s likely an online group you can join to connect with like-minded people. These groups can be a great outlet for connection and to broaden your interests. For a comprehensive list of providers and counselors in South Carolina who can treat your depression, visit PsychologyToday.com.
CALL US TODAY.
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For People Who Don’t Like to Meditate
As we approach the holidays, there’s bound to be some celebration. This has been a tough year for many people, and as we honor the year’s end and the start of humanity’s next chapter, people will be letting off some steam, enjoying alcoholic beverages, and having a few — hopefully socially distant — parties. Don’t Drive Drunk This Holiday Season
However, at Schiller & Hamilton Law Firm, we want to discourage too much merriment.
Drunk driving is one of the main reasons why vehicle accidents and fatalities spike around the holidays. There are more parties, people take more time off work, and there are more opportunities for drinking. This, combined with poor driving conditions and additional commuters, makes for a deadly cocktail.
Let’s all do our part to avoid more tragedy in 2020 with these tips.
1. Designate a sober driver. Choose one person in your group who will not drink so you can all get home safely. Even if others in your party only have one or two drinks, this sober driver is guaranteed to get you home safely.
TAKE A BREAK!
2. Use a ride-share
service. With today’s technology, it’s easier than ever to catch a ride. Download Uber, Lyft, or another ride-sharing service to hitch a ride home with a professional (and sober) driver.
3. Have a slumber party. If you have a small group of friends celebrating the holidays together, turn your event into a sleepover. You can get as rowdy as you’d like, and when everyone is ready to turn in, their only commute is just down the hall. 4. Celebrate virtually. As the COVID-19 pandemic continues, gathering with all your family and friends may not be feasible. Instead, stay home, put on your PJs, fire up Zoom, and crack open a beer. You won’t have to worry about your loved ones driving drunk. Our team is also painfully aware that all parties involved in a drunk driving collision are not always drunk. If you are the victim of a drunk driving accident this holiday season, or if you know someone struggling to move forward after an accident, give our team a call at 803.366.0333. We’ve got your back.
COBBLER CRANBERRY ELECTION FOOTBALL
NOVEL SAGITTARIUS THANKSGIVING TOPAZ
TURKEY VETERANS VOTING WINDY
WE’VE GOT YOUR BACK.
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803.366.0333 197 S Herlong Avenue Rock Hill, SC 29732
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We Have the Community’s Back
Clear Your Mind in a Different Way
Find Solutions to Your Seasonal Depression
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How You Can Save Lives This Holiday Season
A Number of Importance
THE 11TH HOUR OF THE 11TH DAY OF THE 11TH MONTH
Why Veterans Day and the Number 11 Go Hand in Hand Veterans Day comes every Nov. 11. It’s a national holiday that recognizes veterans who served in the United States Armed Forces and honors those both living and deceased. Historically, the day marks Armistice Day and the end of the Great War: World War I. But what is the significance of the number 11? The armistice was signed at 5:45 a.m. in France, but it took effect at 11 a.m. that same morning — which happened to be Nov. 11, 1918. The armistice originally lasted 36 days but was extended month after month. This led to the signing of the Treaty of Versailles on June 28, 1919, when peace was officially declared. Later that year, President Woodrow Wilson proclaimed that Nov. 11 would be known as Armistice Day to honor those who fought in the Great War. This lasted until 1954, when President Dwight Eisenhower signed a proclamation turning Armistice Day into Veterans Day. The change was made in order to recognize all veterans who had honorably served their country. By 1954, the U.S. had fought in more wars — specifically World War II and the Korean War — and hundreds of thousands more Americans had served. Unsurprisingly, there was some political drama surrounding the day. In 1968, Congress made Veterans Day a federal holiday under the Uniform Holiday Bill. The idea was to increase the number of three-day weekends in the year. Veterans Day became a holiday that would fall on the fourth Monday of October, a far cry from Nov. 11.
However, in 1978, Veterans Day was restored to its original Nov. 11 date. But why?
The answer is simple. It’s a number that sticks with you. When the clock strikes 11:11, you always take notice. By that same notion, we all remember the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month. Because of this, we’ll never forget the end of the Great War, nor will we forget those who served.
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