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.
Gina and Steve Milella, 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 number of animals reproduced or relinquished.
How long have you been in the Lowcountry?
We have called the Lowcountry home for the past seven years, and for much of that time, we’ve been devoted volunteers at Hilton Head Humane. This no-kill shelter holds a special place in our hearts, thanks to its unwavering commitment to the welfare of homeless dogs and cats.
How many hours do you spend volunteering each week?
Each week, we dedicate 15 to 18 hours to walking dogs, escorting them to training classes, and helping with cleaning duties whenever needed. We’re grateful to be part of it all and give back to our community.
What do you do in your spare time?
We enjoy everything the Lowcountry has to offer, from beach days and dinners out to soaking up the beauty of the island being by the water!
Steve and Karen Drescher, Memory Matters
What is the organization’s mission?
Providing support, education, and fulfilling programs for individuals with dementia and their caregivers.
How long have you been in the Lowcountry?
Seven years.
What makes the organization special to you?
Karen: My parents had dementia and Steve and I were their caregivers for 10 years. We understand what a caregiver and loved one with dementia feels like on the journey and we love making a positive difference in someone’s life.
How many hours a week do you spend volunteering?
Karen: I volunteer an average of 12 hours a week.
Steve: I spend around 2 to 4 hours volunteering weekly.
What can we do to help?
Financial donations are always welcome, along with more volunteers.
What do you do in your spare time?
Karen: I read and enjoy spending time with my family.
Steve: I golf and spend time exercising at the Island Rec Center.
Joyce Godshall, Volunteers in Medicine
What is the organization’s mission?
The organization’s mission is to assist those who have underserved healthcare needs.
How long have you been in the Lowcountry?
I arrived in early 2021, so almost five years.
What makes the organization special to you?
At a time when customer service seems to be lacking a bit, I find that all the staff goes out of their way to assist the clients. As a retired nurse it is so nice to be able to be around the clients and they are so nice and appreciative.
How many hours a week do you spend volunteering?
Two to three hours on Mondays and two to three hours on Tuesdays. Mondays, I work at the hydroponic farm with the “veggie squad.” We grow different lettuces, collards, and herbs. There are 16 large towers that we rotate crops with. Each tower requires harvesting, cleaning, reassembling, and planting with more seedlings. It is fun to see it grow week to week.
Tuesdays, I work in the clinic as a retired nurse doing intake and assisting a gynecologist. They are always adding more ways to assist the clients, such as eye exams, blood sugar monitoring, dentistry, etc.
What can we do to help?
We need a lot of volunteers to keep things moving, and monetary donations are always welcome so they can keep up with the ever-changing needs. One great example of this is the language app and the iPads needed to assist with interpreting between the clients and staff. We can connect with interpreters online to ensure good communication and understanding happen.
What do you do in your spare time?
Walk my dog and meet so many interesting people, garden in a shared plot, Bible study, and biking to the bluff.
Linda Russell, Deep Well Project
What is the organization’s mission?
Deep Well focuses on addressing basic needs for area residents experiencing some kind of emergency or crisis. The assistance is immediate and is intended to provide clients with a hand up, not a handout. The organization also offers longer-term programs to help people get out, and stay out, of poverty, through its Circles program.
How long have you been in the Lowcountry?
We have lived on Hilton Head Island for 20 years.
What makes the organization special to you?
I have volunteered with Deep Well for 15 years in the Wellness Food Pantry, and it continues to warm my heart to see the difference this organization makes through all of its programs. Working in the pantry brings me joy – seeing the smiling faces and hearing the gratitude from families as they leave with food for their tables. I am also grateful for the amazing staff and volunteers who are so committed to helping those in need. Most of all, I am inspired by our wonderful community whose generosity through donations makes everything we do possible. Deep Well truly shows what can happen when a community comes together to care for their neighbors.
How many hours do you spend volunteering each week?
I volunteer four hours a week in the pantry plus food drives, Christmas Santa Shop, and anytime they need extra help.
What are the organization’s most urgent needs currently?
The greatest need currently is food, given the current high food costs and changes to SNAP and WIC programs for our clients. Food has substantially risen in cost, so financial donations allow us to purchase critical food items like protein (meat, eggs, and milk), and fresh produce. Also, community connections through food drives and individuals dropping food off helps immensely.
Our wish list can be found online at deepwellproject.org.
What do you do in your spare time?
I enjoy playing golf and tennis. I quilt, do family genealogy, love traveling, gardening, walking, fishing, and being with family and friends.
Jill Youtsey, Second Helpings
What is the organization’s mission?
To fight hunger and food waste in Beaufort, Hampton, and Jasper counties.
How long have you been in the Lowcountry?
My husband, Phil, and I relocated to Hilton Head Island from Charlotte, North Carolina, in the fall of 2019.
What makes the organization special to you?
Second Helpings collects and distributes food that would otherwise end up in landfills. In 2014, we delivered 3.3 million pounds to 54 agencies across Beaufort, Hampton, and Jasper counties, serving more than 13,000 clients each week. Under the leadership of Amy Colin, Second Helpings has fostered a strong sense of community and mutual support among its volunteers.
How many hours do you spend volunteering each week?
I am responsible for recording collected food weights and distribution data, coordinating monthly schedules for drivers and volunteer helpers, and communicating policy or route changes as needed for the Tuesday volunteers.
What are the organization’s most urgent needs currently?
At present our greatest need is supporting our food pantry partners in keeping their shelves stocked, not only through the holiday season, but also as we face increasing demand from families affected by the recent SNAP benefit suspension and uncertainty surrounding the program’s future funding.
Donations can be made by mailing a check payable to Second Helpings at PO Box 23621, Hilton Head Island, SC, 29925 or securely online at secondhelpingslc.org/donate.
What do you do in your spare time?
In my spare time, I’m actively involved in our local community garden, where I serve on the board and help support neighborhood engagement initiatives. I also make time to stay active and enjoy daily walks on the beach with my husband, Phil, and our dog, Cooper, along with biking and practicing Pilates.
Seth Friedman, 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?
In November 2019, we made the move to Latitude Margaritaville in Hardeeville, leaving behind Bucks County, Pennsylvania, where we’d lived for most of our lives.
What makes this organization special to you?
Bluffton Self Help is close to my heart because they’re dedicated to helping people build better lives. I believe our beautiful state grows stronger when more families have the chance to succeed – and Bluffton Self Help provides the support and resources that make that possible.
How many hours a week do you spend volunteering?
I volunteer in The Market at Bluffton Self Help four hours a week, and every so often I’m happy to help out a bit more during the holidays or for special projects, such as Thanksgiving meal prep and the Holiday Toy Shop.
What can we do to help? What are the organization’s most urgent needs currently?
I’m asking each of you to give a little of your time each week – volunteer, donate, or contribute what you can. Together, our small efforts can make a huge impact and bring our organization’s vision to life.
What do you do in your spare time?
My wife, Sue, and I live in a wonderfully active community that keeps us on the go! Most days you’ll find us out and about – taking part in community events, swimming, playing bocce ball, and doing our best to stay healthy and fit. We also love to travel and just got back from an incredible trip through Spain, Portugal, and Morocco. When we’re not exploring new places, we’re spending time with our three amazing daughters – Michelle, Kacey, and Dana – who always keep life exciting. And of course, we’re die-hard Gamecock fans! You’ll catch us at games and events in Columbia all year long, cheering on our Gamecocks!
