Mount Pleasant Magazine March April 2019

75 www.MPMcalendar.com | www.BestOfMP.com | www.ILov eMountPleasant.com feature T alk to anyone who grew up in Charleston in the 1960s or 1970s, and the name Happy Raine will bring a smile to their face. Rainey Evans played an Indian host named Happy Raine in a television show that ran six days a week, featuring children on live episodes. Her sense of humor and penchant for education won the hearts of kids across the Lowcountry and kept her on the air for 20 years. “Next thing you know, I was getting bombarded for autographs, and I was doing parades,” she happily recalled. “I can’t tell you how many stories I have from my trips to cities for parades. One year I got pneumonia from 30 parades.” Evans did not stop making a difference in people’s lives after her show ended. Her father had always advised her, “If you’re going to do it, do it right,” and she took his words to heart. Evans worked with the Children’s Miracle Network for 15 years, spearheading charity events that have become staples in the community, like the Reindeer Run and Fishing for Miracles. Now in her 80s, Evans keeps her sense of humor and quick wit sharp as she continues working with the community and enjoying good times with her friends. “I have two great ‘thank yous,’” she grinned. “I thank God that I was born when I was – life was simple then. Secondly, that I was born where I was born. To be born in Charleston is one of God’s greatest gifts.” Photo by Jess Wood. www.MountPleasant gazine ILoveMountPleasant.com | www.BestOfMP