The vibrant and close-knit communities of Hilton Head Island and Bluffton recently came together in a unique and meaningful way through the Memory Matters Spring Shop Hop. This special event, which took place over two days, brought locals and visitors alike into some of the area’s finest boutiques and shops in support of an incredible cause.
The Hilton Head Spring Shop Hop took place Thursday, March 27, from 1 to 6 p.m., while the Bluffton Spring Shop Hop will follow on Thursday, April 10, from 1 to 6 p.m. During these events, a collection of local businesses donated 10% of their sales to Memory Matters, a local nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing the lives of individuals affected by Alzheimer’s and dementia.
Through their generosity, these businesses not only support an incredible nonprofit but also helped to bridge the retail communities of Hilton Head and Bluffton in a way never seen before.
The Memory Matters Spring Shop Hop was born from a conversation among passionate volunteers and supporters of the organization. Annual gala committee co-chairs Julie Martin and Kathryn Mademann, along with longtime Memory Matters advocate and former board president Kim Baretta, were brainstorming new ways to raise awareness and funds ahead of the organization’s annual gala.
Martin, a board member at Memory Matters, had attended a “shop for a cause” event in the past and saw firsthand how successful it could be. She shared her thoughts with Mademann, an international image stylist with close connections to several upscale local boutiques. “Let’s ‘bridge’ these communities together,” Mademann said.
CH2’s Jevon Daly gets styled by Sabrina Kreps at John Bayley.
They decided to expand the concept into a full-scale community event, enlisting multiple boutiques across Hilton Head and Bluffton to participate. With Baretta’s experience in organizing Memory Matters’ galas, the trio worked to bring together 13 shops on Hilton Head and eight in Bluffton, a level of collaboration that had never been done before on such a scale.
A diverse range of locally loved and upscale shops participated in the event, demonstrating their dedication to the community. Participating stores on Hilton Head were: The Back Door, Birdie James, Coastal Bliss, Collage, Currents, Evelyn & Arthur, Hilton Head Running Company, J. McLaughlin, John Bayley, Palmettoes, Pink Pineapple, Shop! Boutique, and Spartina 449.
In Bluffton, the stores ready to open their doors to the event are: Birdie James, Eggs ’n’ Tricities, Gigi’s Boutique, J. McLaughlin, Maggie & Me, Monkee’s, Spartina 449, and The Haven Boutique.
CH2’s Maggie Washo gets styled by the owners of Gigi’s Boutique in Old Town Bluffton, sisters Emily Burden and Anna Pepper.
“I had never seen something this big with this many stores collaborating,” Baretta said. “Usually, one or two stores might do something like this, but to have this many come together was truly remarkable.”
“We believe that helping our neighbors is what community is all about,” Martin said. “The Shop Hop was a fantastic opportunity for residents and visitors alike to make a positive impact while discovering the wonderful shops in Hilton Head and Bluffton.”
Beyond just shopping, participants enjoyed a sense of camaraderie, knowing that their purchases directly supported Memory Matters’ programs. Exclusive promotions and in-store events made the shopping experience even more exciting. As well, participants had the opportunity to learn more about brain health and Memory Matters’ mission, vision and values.
Additionally, this event highlighted the fact that Alzheimer’s and dementia disproportionately affect women. While Memory Matters serves everyone, the fact that most participating businesses were female-owned and focused on women’s fashion further emphasized the connection between this event and its mission.
The success of the Shop Hop has set the stage for what is expected to be a record-breaking Gala in May, where the Hilton Head and Bluffton communities will continue their support of Memory Matters.
Memory Matters Gala Co-Chair Kathryn Mademann picks out a colorful spring dress at Collage at the March Shop Hop Event.
Memory Matters: A Lifeline for Families Affected by Dementia
At the heart of the Shop Hop effort is Memory Matters, an impactful nonprofit serving the Hilton Head and Bluffton communities. Since its founding in 1997, Memory Matters has provided comprehensive support for individuals facing cognitive decline and their caregivers, ensuring that families are not alone in their journey with dementia.
Memory Matters started on Hilton Head Island and, for many years, primarily served residents on the island. However, as awareness of its services grew, the organization expanded beyond the bridge into Bluffton, offering programs and support to a broader population.
The organization’s mission extends beyond just those diagnosed with cognitive impairment – it also focuses on education, prevention, and caregiver support.
Services include:
Memory Care Day Program: Providing a structured, stimulating, and safe environment for individuals with memory loss while giving caregivers much-needed respite.
Family and Caregiver Support: Recognizing that dementia impacts entire families, Memory Matters offers support groups, education, and counseling for caregivers.
Brain Health Education: The organization teaches five key interventions that can help maintain brain health, including social engagement, exercise, continuous learning, restfulness, and the Mediterranean diet.
One of Memory Matters’ programs is the Savvy Caregiver, a five-week training course that provides families with tools and strategies to care for their loved ones. Importantly, these educational resources are now available virtually, allowing those outside of the Lowcountry to benefit from the organization’s expertise.
The impact of Memory Matters extends beyond its program participants, as evidenced by volunteers like Ginny Underwood, who originally connected with the organization when her husband attended its programs. After her husband’s passing, she continued to support Memory Matters as a volunteer, and she now serves as the nonprofit’s brand and marketing specialist. Her story is one of many that showcase how deeply personal and transformative this organization’s work is.
Julie Martin, a board member for Memory Matters, supports the Shop Hop event at Currents in the Village at Wexford.
Biggest Annual Fundraiser: An Evening on the Amalfi Coast
The Shop Hop served as a precursor to the organization’s most significant annual fundraiser, its gala Evening on the Amalfi Coast.
Set for Thursday, May 22, at the Westin Hilton Head Island Resort & Spa, the gala typically raises more than 25% of Memory Matters’ annual operating budget. The lavish event features a cocktail hour and silent auction at 5:30 p.m., a Mediterranean-inspired dinner, live auction, and entertainment by the Mike Barbera Jazz Trio.
Michelle Taylor, owner of Birdie James in Shelter Cove Towne Centre and Washington Square, helps Kim Baretta find a look for an upcoming event.
This year’s theme ties into Memory Matters’ focus on brain health and the Mediterranean diet, which research has shown can help support cognitive function and reduce the risk of Alzheimer’s and dementia.
“We know that socialization, exercise, lifelong learning, and a healthy diet are all key to maintaining brain health,” Baretta said. “That’s why Julie and Kathryn decided to make them central to the gala theme.”
Gala attendees can bid on silent and live auction items, with proceeds directly supporting Memory Matters’ day programs, educational workshops, and caregiver resources. The funds raised at the gala and the Shop Hop ensure that no one is ever turned away from services due to financial hardship.
Tickets for the gala are $275 per person and are available at MyMemoryMatters.org. For more information, visit MyMemoryMatters.org or call (843) 842-6688.
