MURRELLS INLET, SC (WBTW) – Fundraisers are gearing up on the Grand Strand to help Huntington Beach State Park.  Lightning started a fire that destroyed the Nature Center, just over a month ago.

We told you last month about a motorcycle ride that will raise funds for the park, and since then, three more local businesses have set up fundraisers to help rebuild the nature center.

Bisqit restaurant in Pawleys Island and Black River Outdoor Center will be holding fundraisers later this month; and Paint and Unwined in Murrells Inlet will hold two new painting sessions with proceeds going to the rebuild.  Park Manager, Brenda Majors, says they’ve also raised about $4,000 from private donations through the  Friends of Huntington Beach State Park organization.

“Its been really heart warming and surprising to us at the community outreach, to find out how much the nature center meant to the community as a whole both by individuals and organizations it’s really heart warming and it makes us feel like we’re really making a difference in people’s lives,” said Magers.

Educational programs and exhibits were a large part of the nature center.   Reptiles, snakes, fish and aquariums were all lost in the fire and will have to be replaced before it can re-open.

The South Carolina Department of Parks, Recreation and Tourism said they will rebuild, but Majors said that hasn’t started  yet because they’re still focused on the clean up process.

“Once that’s done then we’ll get in there in and assess if this is the exact best place for a new building and we need to look at the building designs to see if we’re going to use the exact same blueprint or modify it some to better suit our needs,” said Majors.

We don’t know the exact price tag for the new center yet, but all of the money raised goes directly to filling the center with new exhibits.

Here is a list of the upcoming fundraisers:

Benefit Motorcycle Ride: Sept 18 www.facebook.com/events/221642438230559/

Bisqit Spirit Month:10% of all proceeds after 4pm on Sept 19 will go to the Nature Center

Black River Outdoor Center: Sept 26 at 4pm 100% of the registration fees will go to the Nature Center

Paint and Unwined: Two fundraisers featuring animals from the park, a burr fish and an alligator.  TBD.  https://www.facebook.com/PaintAndUnwined/

To make online donations visit:  www.friendshbsp.com