Bamberg County sheriff’s office launches R U OK wellness program

Bamberg County’s R U OK program is built around a simple promise: if a resident signs up, the sheriff’s office will call once a week to check on that person. If staff or a volunteer cannot reach the participant after three call attempts, the emergency contact is notified. If that contact cannot physically check on the person, a deputy or officer is dispatched to the residence.

The program is voluntary, and the consent form authorizes emergency and law-enforcement representatives to respond when a health or safety emergency is perceived. The sheriff’s office lists the program through its alerts page and gives residents a direct contact point at the Bamberg County Sheriff’s Office, 456 Second Street, P.O. Box 210, Bamberg, SC 29003. The office number is (803) 245-3018 and the fax number is (803) 245-1369.

The service is aimed at residents who may need an extra layer of daily reassurance, especially seniors, disabled individuals and people who live alone. WJBF reported in September 2024 that those were the primary groups the sheriff’s office had in mind when it rolled out the effort. WLTX reported that Sheriff Kenneth Bamberg said the idea had been under consideration since 2021, and that Deputy Shauntina Benson serves as coordinator. The sheriff’s office page also names Valaree Bennett in its victims advocate role.

The county’s broader public-safety picture helps explain why the program matters. WLTX noted that the Bamberg County Office on Aging delivers meals daily to 200 seniors, a reminder of how many residents may benefit from another routine point of contact. In a rural county where family members may live far away and some neighbors may be isolated, a weekly call can be more than a courtesy. It can be the first sign that someone needs help.

That role became especially visible after Hurricane Helene. On Oct. 10, 2024, county officials said the R U OK program had been valuable in the storm’s aftermath, helping identify isolated residents who needed assistance. The county said the sheriff’s office received dozens of calls from residents thanking deputies for checking on loved ones. A county newsletter in April 2025 said the program was established after Hurricane Helene and was used to assist elderly residents, people with disabilities and those living alone.

For Bamberg County, the program turns the sheriff’s office into more than an enforcement agency. It gives residents a direct line for routine wellness checks, emergency follow-up and peace of mind when someone cannot be reached on their own.