Many people think of Hilton Head Island as a wealthy destination resort community, but the founder of the nonprofit The Celebration Projects, Libby O’Regan, knows that our population is also composed of families who need our help.
“There are kids in need of critical essentials like housing and food. And I would argue that joy, too, is a fundamental need, especially for children,” O’Regan said. “There are so many young people in Hilton Head, Bluffton and the Lowcountry who could benefit from joy.”
O’Regan is right. Child psychologists believe joy is not merely a fleeting emotion but essential for healthy brain function. They emphasize positive emotions, particularly joy, have a profound impact on a child’s developing brain.
According to Dr. Stuart Brown, a leading expert in play and founder of the National Institute for Play, joy is vital to brain development. Research suggests that joy stimulates the release of neurotransmitters such as dopamine, which are crucial for building cognitive skills, memory, and problem-solving abilities. As well, the American Academy of Pediatrics reports that joy fosters creativity, strengthens social skills, and helps children process emotions in a healthy way, supporting their self-esteem and confidence.
O’Regan has seen the benefits of creating joy in her own family. Led by a desire to help area youths by serving children ages 4 to 18 experiencing financial, physical, or mental hardship, she launched TCP in 2020. “I have always celebrated birthdays and holidays in a big way. In our household, a birthday is celebrated with lots of family and friends. Some of my children’s favorite memories growing up have been at their birthday parties,” O’Regan said. “I believe that core memories are made at birthday parties and more children deserve to feel celebrated on their birthday. It is hard to believe, but 85% of the children that we serve have never had a birthday cake – let alone a birthday party. The concept of a party that includes an activity with family and friends, cake, lunch, and presents is not even something they have fathomed because typically it is way out of reach for their family.”
The Zone in Bluffton is a frequent choice for birthday party recipients.
When TCP initially started, O’Regan had challenges connecting to children, but when TCP formed a strong partnership with the Boys and Girls Club of the Lowcountry, the organization began to have a steady stream of deserving children who could benefit from a birthday party.
The Celebration Projects purchases a mix of wants and needs including colorful personalized birthday cakes for the kids.
“We take care of everything, from an activity like go-carting, painting pottery, a ropes course, bowling, arcade, mini-golf, or the movies, for up to 15 guests,” O’Regan said. “We provide lunch, drinks, snacks, cake, and presents, which run the gamut from new Nike shoes and sweatpants to a sewing machine, to a new novel series, to necessities like hair and makeup products. The family and guests attend the party free of charge.”
All smiles for Sophia at her birthday party.
TCP’s goal is to do about two dozen parties this year. O’Regan credits their growing success to the generous support of their community and donors who can sponsor birthday parties for $1,250 and get social media, website, blog, and annual report recognition.
Two TCP sponsors are The Zone and Burr and Forman Law Firm. “The Zone feels that The Celebration Projects really aligns well with our mission to provide family entertainment, as well as fill a gap and energize others in the community. The Celebration Projects gives to people who otherwise would not have the experience,” said Libby Cherrington of The Zone.
Jo’siah turned nine with dozens of his family members and friends at his soccer- themed party in the park in March.
Bret Pruehs, managing partner of Burr and Forman said, “Our firm’s friends and clients come up with amazing ways to serve, and hosting birthday parties for local children is a good example. We’re proud to sponsor The Celebration Projects.”
Over the past five years, TCP has had a tremendous impact on local kids. “From Kaleigh’s birthday party at Station 300 to Tyra’s birthday party at Cinemark in Bluffton, we celebrated girls, boys, and teens who were experiencing hardship in their own ways,” O’Regan said. “For one special day, they were able to put aside their troubles and feel loved, special, deserving, and celebrated.”
The stack of presents usually wows children and parents
The mom of one TCP party recipient shared, “My daughter was being harassed and bullied. Some of her friends chose the other girl, so they would not get beat up. Our daughter was having a really rough year. I truly thank The Celebration Projects because she loved her party, even with only a few people coming.”
Another TCP party recipient had recently lost her mom. Her father was overwhelmed by his wife’s passing. The prospect of planning a birthday celebration while they were grieving was too daunting. TCP stepped in. “We showered her with cake, a restaurant gift card so they didn’t have to cook, a party for 13 friends at Station 300, and plenty of presents to bring a smile to her face,” O’Regan said. “Though it would not replace the loss of her mother, the party brought joy during a difficult time.”
An upcoming party is for a child coming from a domestic violence situation. “Who is more deserving of joy on their birthday than a child who has experienced violence within the walls of their own home?” O’Regan said.
Because The Celebration Projects hosts just two parties per month, being selected to receive a TCP party is a big deal. Explaining the process, O’Regan said, “When the Boys and Girls Club nominates a child, they are selected out of dozens of children who have birthdays that month, making them feel even more special. One mom told me, ‘As a parent, it means the world to see your baby feel so special and loved.’”
Over the next couple of years, TCP would like to see its volunteer network grow, and TCP is taking steps toward that goal. It is launching a student-run club at Hilton Head Preparatory School in August to get a younger generation involved. Recently, TCP hosted a Galentine’s Day Tea Party at the South Carolina Yacht Club, where several volunteers signed up to help run parties.
“Our future success will depend on individual donors who embrace our mission of providing joy and recognize that it, too, is a fundamental need,” O’Regan said. “Since there is so much competition for grants, we also rely on and cannot thank generous business sponsors enough for their support in our mission of bringing smiles to the faces of the youth in our community. If we can make two children, their families, and their guests smile each month, we are succeeding in bringing joy to hundreds of people in Hilton Head and Bluffton each year.”
For more information, visit thecelebrationprojects.org.
