Community in Motion: Bankers at the Cooper River Bridge Run

SouthState team members proudly participated in the 49th annual Cooper River Bridge Run in April, supporting one of the Lowcountry’s most iconic events as both volunteers and race participants. 

The event was a success yet again, drawing nearly 40,000 runners to the country’s third-largest 10K race in Charleston, SC. Volunteers were vital behind the scenes, managing registrations, distributing race bibs, coordinating foot traffic and supporting race-day logistics.
 

From the Starting Line

With SouthState’s long history of serving the Lowcountry, helping this significant event operate smoothly was a natural fit.

“Investing our time and talent in events like the Cooper River Bridge Run reflects who we are as an organization,” says Jeff DeLong, SouthState CIO and member of the SouthState Culture Council. “It’s about showing up, working together, and making a difference in the communities where we live and work.”

Volunteers had a long day of supporting race operations from the start, but they felt the positive impact each time someone crossed the finish line.

“All the small things add up: the smiles, high-fives, excitement, and pure joy. When the event wraps up, that feeling of greater purpose really shines,” says Chrissie Casas, SouthState’s director of digital banking and member of the SouthState Culture Council. “Time is the most precious commodity of all, and to give that away to help others felt like the best investment I could ever make.”

To the Finish Line

SouthState volunteers got to cheer on a few of their own, including first-timers like Director of IT Infrastructure and Operations Todd Rayl.

Seeing other team members sign up to race prompted Rayl to register for his first road race. With six weeks of training under his belt, he finished strong with a sense of pride in what he’d accomplished.

“Considering my age and the fact I’m not a runner, finishing the race with a respectable time (in my eyes), was a great accomplishment, and it felt amazing to cross the finish line,” he recalls.

Rayl enjoyed the camaraderie of running alongside other SouthState team members and being able to give and receive encouragement. He’s ready to lace up his sneakers for next spring.

“This was a great team event for a great cause!  I plan to attend next year for the 50th annual bridge run,” he says. 
Running the Cooper River Bridge Run was on Loan Servicing Specialist Aulaura Heredia’s bucket list this year, and she was determined not to put it off. She began preparing with walks at lunch and felt discouraged at first when back pain flared up. She pushed through the pain, stayed on track with daily walks, and her pain soon went away.

Though Heredia walked the race on her own, she received encouragement from other runners and volunteers the entire way. When her blood sugar dropped partway through, volunteers helped her refuel and recover until she was ready to resume. 
 

Soon, the finish line was in sight.

“When I crossed the finish line, I got choked up. I felt like I could do anything,” Heredia recalls. “If I was able to finish this race and had a hard time walking a month ago, I am more confident with what my body can do in the future.” 

After a call to her father to let him know she finished the race, Heredia also began planning for next year’s event.

“It was a big thing for me. I really enjoyed my first run. I’m trying to get strong enough so I can start jogging and hopefully start running again,” she says.

Supporting the run means supporting the Charleston region throughout the year, as the Cooper River Bridge Run benefits more than 14 local charities and nonprofits. SouthState is appreciative of the opportunity to play a role and looks forward to volunteering again next year. Learn more about the Charleston region and the other fun offerings it has by reading our Living in Charleston article.