Coastal Carolina University received a $6,000 donation from Myrtle Beach area Walmart stores during CCU's recent Back-to-School event at the Carolina Forest Walmart on Myrtle Ridge Drive.

Donations were collected from area Walmart stores, and the store managers presented a check to CCU President David A. DeCenzo in front of the Walmart location during the event. This contribution benefits the LiveWell health initiative at CCU.

"The LiveWell Office promotes societal, community, relationship and individual wellness," said Lee Carter, director of Wellness Outreach at CCU. "We do this through education, services, peer educators, internships and service learning, and the LiveWell initiative."

Some of the services provided in the LiveWell office include nutrition consulting, educational presentations, biofeedback, exercise consulting, body composition testing, and the Step Up program.

The LiveWell grant from Walmart has supported various programs over the years, and one of those is rolling out this fall, said Carter.

"A wellness portal called YouLiveWellCCU is coming this fall, and it engages students in many facets of health and wellness including community involvement, mental and emotional wellbeing, and academic and professional success."

The check presentation took place during an event featuring various vendors. Walmart shoppers, including many CCU students and family members, received free food and drinks. Staff from CCU handed out sports schedules and school supplies. Chauncey, CCU's mascot, made an appearance to greet shoppers and assist in distributing CCU merchandise, and Walmart staff wore teal and played the CCU fight song.

"We have worked closely with Coastal Carolina University this year to make sure we are a one-stop destination for everything a CCU student needs," said Michael Willard, store manager of the Myrtle Ridge Walmart. "This year, we were proud to be able to present LiveWell with donation of $6,000. We look forward to a continued close partnership with the university in the future."

CCU's Move-in Day is typically one of the busiest days of the year for the Myrtle Ridge Walmart location. Willard says the day historically rivals that location's Black Friday. CCU and Walmart have partnered for the event for the past nine years.

For more information on LiveWell, visit coastal.edu/livewell.

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Twitter: @LiveWellCCU