Let it never be said that the Lowcountry doesn’t know how to give back. Ours is a community built on a spirit of volunteerism, where any need that should be filled will soon find itself with a small army of helpers ready to work.
When we set out to spotlight a few of the legion of selfless locals who call our area “home,” we knew the hardest job would be in limiting our search. While the volunteers you see here are to be lauded for their generosity and spirit, know that for every face you see here, there are hundreds more ready to make life a little better in our community.
Consuelo Palma, Volunteers in Medicine Clinic, Hilton
What is the organization’s mission? Volunteers in Medicine (VIM)’s mission is to understand and serve the health and wellness needs of our medically underserved neighbors.
How long have you been a resident of the Lowcountry? I came to the United States from Bogota, Colombia, in 1984, speaking very basic English. I arrived in Miami, and then my sister told me about Hilton Head. I came here, and I loved it at first sight. At that time, there was no Spanish TV, so I learned most of my English by watching American TV, and talking to people wherever I went. I’ve been here for 35 years and I still love it.
What makes this organization special to you? There are many things that make me proud of VIM. The doctors and other volunteers give freely of their time and talents to VIM patients, who need our medical care and cannot afford to get healthcare anywhere else. Our volunteers and other community members also often donate medical supplies to the clinic. I especially enjoy helping patients who do not speak English and might not be able to understand what the doctor is saying to them. I know how that feels. I love the other volunteers who work with us. Everybody has such a good heart.
How many hours a week do you spend volunteering? Usually three shifts a week, which is about 10 or 11 hours per week.
What do you do in your spare time – just for fun? I always enjoy being creative and making gifts and birthday cards for my family, and especially my grandkids. I also love walking on the beach.
Missy Fahler, Pockets Full of Sunshine and Moss Creek Equestrian Centers Equine Assisted Program
What is the organization’s mission? Pockets Full of Sunshine (PFS) provides opportunities to those in the special needs community who have aged out of the school system. Programs are held in an inclusive setting, through weekly programming, service projects, local markets, and socials. Moss Creek Equine Assisted Program focuses on enhancing the health and well-being of the special needs community by facilitating relationships through interaction between the horses and humans.
How long have you been a resident of the Lowcountry? Two years and two months.
What makes this organization special to you? I have a degree in special education, though I never taught due to relocating for my husband’s work. When a friend introduced me to PFS, I knew this was a perfect fit. It is a special place full of amazing people. The founders and staff providing the opportunities at no cost for the day program is something I’ve never encountered before. The Rays (our participants) are incredible and the friendships, camaraderie, and teamwork are wonderful. You can’t help but smile when you are around them and you always leave happier than when you arrived. Moss Creek Equine Assisted Program gives the Rays a special opportunity to bond with the animals. Seeing the Rays’ reactions when they accomplish a new skill is so heartwarming.
How many hours a week do you spend volunteering? 14 hours per week
What do you do in your spare time – just for fun? Walks on the beach with dogs and friends, sampling all the wonderful restaurants on the island, and reading.
Kristin McNamara, Hospice Care of the Lowcountry
What is the organization’s mission? Hospice Care of the Lowcountry honors life by providing compassionate care and guidance for those in our community experiencing serious illness, end-of-life, and grief.
How long have you been a resident of the Lowcountry? My husband Patrick and I moved here from Maryland nine years ago. I was fortunate to continue working remotely for the first seven years as we settled into the Lowcountry.
What makes this organization special to you? I first trained as a hospice volunteer in 1999 and have had the privilege of serving many patients over the past 25 years. It truly is a privilege to sit with people approaching the end of their lives, to listen to their stories as they reflect on their experiences, and to support their families through such a profound time. Hospice Care of the Lowcountry’s dedicated professionals and volunteers beautifully exemplify the deep caring and concern that is the best of hospice care by meeting people where they are, accompanying them through their final days, and remaining with their families and friends into their bereavement.
How many hours a week do you spend volunteering? As a patient volunteer, I typically volunteered two to four hours a week. However, I started a new role in January, assisting the hospice chaplain. I now see six to eight patients a week, stay in close contact with their families, and assist with the free bereavement support groups we offer to the broader Lowcountry community, regardless of whether they used hospice patient services or not. In this new role, I often volunteer 10 hours a week, and every minute is so rewarding.
What do you do in your spare time – just for fun? I exercise daily – walking, swimming, biking, kayaking – I have to get outside every day! To decompress, I enjoy knitting baby blankets, reading voraciously, and doing jigsaw puzzles. Patrick and I also savor every visit with our children and grandchildren.
Alice Bettencourt, Hilton Head Island Deep Well Project
What is the organization’s mission? Through services and advocacy, the Hilton Head Island Deep Well Project partners with neighbors to meet their basic needs and create a bridge to self-sufficiency.
How long have you been a resident of the Lowcountry? After years of vacationing on the island, I became a part-time resident, and then a full-time resident a little over two years now. I moved here from Northern Virginia after working for more than 30 years for the federal government.
What makes this organization special to you? I have volunteered for more than 30 years in food insecurity, cooking at a central kitchen and distributing food at pantries. Deep Well’s overall approach to helping my neighbors in need gain or regain self-sufficiency without stigmatizing them reflects my personal approach. I especially appreciate the food pantry providing as close to a grocery shopping experience as possible. I also enjoy working side-by-side with amazing, caring volunteers and staff.
How many hours a week do you spend volunteering? Depending on the week, I volunteer eight hours at Deep Well. Also, I serve on several committees on the Palmetto Dunes POA Board. I was also recently asked to serve on the board of a newly forming nonprofit, Hilton Head Hydroponics (H3).
What do you do in your spare time – just for fun? In addition to caring for my wonderful cat, Willow, I am an avid reader and also an amateur nature (especially birds) photographer.
Robin & John Pickens, Bluffton Self Help
What is the organization’s mission? To empower and advocate for Lowcountry neighbors to improve their lives through education and training, basic needs, and guided access to a network of community resources.
How long have you been a resident of the Lowcountry? Nine years.
What makes this organization special to you? Robin: At Bluffton Self Help, it is not just the food pantry. We provide education in ESL and GED preparation, and training to help our neighbors develop coping skills. The focus is providing a hand up to help our neighbors succeed. There are no barriers like age or citizenship to getting help. And the staff is genuinely committed to the mission and to our neighbors. John: There are so many things. The talent and dedication of the staff, our lovely neighbors, the fact that Bluffton Self Help is independent and not affiliated with any other organization. But most of all, at Bluffton Self Help, we believe that we can move the needle on food insecurity and poverty in the Lowcountry and I want to be a part of that!
How many hours a week do you spend volunteering? Robin: Eight hours per week. I work in the market during our regular food distribution and during Fresh Express, our monthly fresh produce give-away. The distributions, where you get to meet and talk with our neighbors, are the most fun. I also hold neighborhood food drives and help with the Christmas Toy Drive, the School Supply Drive, and Stock the Market, our big springtime food collection. John: About 20 hours per week. I work in both the Resource Hub and the market. In the Resource Hub, I work with neighbors to get them engaged with the services that Bluffton Self Help has to offer or refer them to other local service providers. In the market, I work in the warehouse, receiving donations from our very generous community and from Second Helpings. I try to keep the warehouse clean and well organized through regular operations and all of the special projects. I help stock the market shelves so that our neighbors have fresh options and a pleasant shopping experience. I also work in the market during regular food distribution and during Fresh Express, and I join in the special projects with Robin.
What do you do in your spare time – just for fun? Robin: Golf, walking with friends, Mahjong, classes at USCB – OLLI, entertaining. John: Fitness, classes at USCB – OLLI, golf, reading tutor with the United Way.
Brooke Mendenhall, Hilton Head Humane Association
What is the organization’s mission? To improve the lives of homeless dogs and cats while also working to substantially lower the numbers of animals reproduced or relinquished.
How long have you been a resident of the Lowcountry? Since 1981. Hilton Head Humane was incorporated in 1976!
What makes this organization special to you? I love that everyone at the shelter has a shared vision to bring out the best in every animal, make their lives better any way possible, and make a difference by finding good homes for each of them. Everyone works tirelessly to keep the animals comfortable and well-cared for, to show them love that they may not have experienced before, and to place them in good homes locally and through partnerships. But honestly, the most special parts of HHHA are the animals themselves. I work mainly with the dogs, and getting to know each of their faces, personalities, and quirks; taking them out to walk, play, learn something new, or make a few minutes of their day a little happier; and watching as they find just the right home is such a wonderful feeling.
How many hours a week do you spend volunteering? Usually, two to five hours on the weekends. I try to spend more when I’m not limited by a full-time and part-time job!
What do you do in your spare time – just for fun? I love to travel, teach group fitness, and spend time with my husband and our two rescue dogs, who both were adopted from Hilton Head Humane.
Susan Horn, NAMI Lowcountry
What is the organization’s mission? NAMI is the acronym for National Alliance on Mental Illness. We are the largest grassroots organization in the country providing free support groups and education. The mission of NAMI Lowcountry is to improve the quality of life for all those affected by mental health conditions. We advocate and provide educational and support programs promoting recovery with dignity, hope, and the removal of stigma.
How long have you been a resident of the Lowcountry? Twelve years. We came for vacation after selling our business in Connecticut. It rained all week, we were bored, and started looking at properties. Before we knew it, we owned a house! I’m originally from Atlanta so I was happy to be back in the South.
What makes this organization special to you? I’m a firm believer that the toughest things I’ve lived through can be overcome by sharing with others. When my husband was diagnosed with a serious mental health condition, it was isolating, confusing, and terrifying. Once I was introduced to the NAMI Family to Family education program and became a facilitator for the Family Support groups, I was hooked. We can talk from the heart. Even though our life situations are different, the feelings are the same. We share with others that nod their heads in understanding and compassion. I came on the NAMI Lowcountry Board in 2017 and have served as the secretary. The Walk is our main fundraising event of the year. I’ve been involved for several years with organizing, promoting Walk teams and securing sponsorship. It’s incredibly uplifting to see 300 people walking together to raise awareness and funds to support NAMI Lowcountry. I am proud that our organization is volunteer driven and peer led.
How many hours a week do you spend volunteering? It depends on the time of year, but I would say it averages around 10 hours a week, between secretary duties, Family Support groups, and Walk organization.
What do you do in your spare time – just for fun? I love reading, walking in my neighborhood, traveling with my husband, horseback riding, movies and theatre, dinners with friends, visiting my children and grandchildren. And it seems like I enjoy volunteering!
Chick and Joan Simonds, Meals On Wheels Hilton Head/Bluffton
What is the organization’s mission? Meals On Wheels Hilton Head/Bluffton is dedicated to providing meals to homebound clients in the Hilton Head/Bluffton area, including Sun City. We not only deliver fresh, nutritious meals, but we also ensure our clients are doing well as part of our daily engagement with them.
How long have you been a resident of the Lowcountry? We moved to Hilton Head Island in April 2013.
What makes this organization special to you? My parents volunteered for, and received meals from, Meals on Wheels in Portland, Maine. This is an opportunity for both of us to volunteer together and give back to our neighbors so that they can continue to live on this beautiful island.
How many hours a week do you spend volunteering? There are 200 volunteers delivering meals daily. Our routes typically take two to three hours to complete. Most of us will devote around 24 days a year.
What do you do in your spare time – just for fun? Joan also volunteers two days a week at Volunteers in Medicine (VIM), and I am on the board of directors here at Meals on Wheels. Our children and grandchildren love to visit. Living on Hilton Head is a daily joy.
Dave Eppinger, Second Helpings
What is the organization’s mission? To fight hunger and food waste in Beaufort, Hampton, and Jasper Counties. We do this by rescuing more than 3 million pounds of food each year from 47 food donors and delivering it to 54 agency partners in the Lowcountry, who distribute the food to persons in need.
How long have you been a resident of the Lowcountry? We have owned a property in Sea Pines since 2009. We have lived in Sea Pines full time since 2016.
What makes this organization special to you? I like to volunteer for activities that make a significant positive impact and serve our local communities. Second Helpings helps improve the lives of many people in the Lowcountry by fighting hunger and reducing food insecurity. I also get to work with many great people in Second Helpings and our food donor and agency partners.
How many hours a week do you spend volunteering? With Second Helpings, about 10 to 15 hours per week as a truck driver, Monday day captain, and board member. I am also a volunteer guide for the Outside Foundation’s Kids in Kayaks program. This involves 12 or more hours per week for about six weeks in the spring and six weeks in the fall.
What do you do in your spare time – just for fun? I enjoy spending time with my wife of 41 years, traveling, playing a little golf, and spending time with our three daughters and their families, including four grandchildren. I also enjoy being on the water whenever I get a chance. I run a kayaking group in Hilton Head and lead a paddle every week (except in the winter months). I am a certified Level 4 Coastal Kayaking Instructor and I enjoy paddling in the ocean and surfing waves in a sea kayak.
