Steve Siegelbaum
Volunteers in Medicine
What is the organization’s mission?
Volunteers in Medicine (VIM)’s mission is to understand and serve the health and wellness needs of the medically underserved and their households who live or work on Hilton Head and Daufuskie Islands.
How long have you been a resident of the Lowcountry?
My wife Judi and I built our home in Indigo Run in 2005. We used the house to vacation and visit until my retirement from Jackson Siegelbaum Gastroenterology in 2013, when we moved here full time. I started to volunteer at VIM in 2009.
If we visited for a week, I would attend a clinic session during that time. Since retirement, my clinic visits became a weekly occurrence.
What makes this organization special to you?
Volunteers in Medicine is a wonderful concurrence of retired, well-trained physicians, dentists, nurses, translators and other volunteers giving of their time and expertise to help people who cannot otherwise obtain the quality of care and medications made available in this free clinic. The clinic gives the providers the opportunity to give back to the community. Further, the patients and our colleagues provide us with motivation to read and take part in continuing education so that we can stay current in our areas of expertise.
How many hours a week do you spend volunteering?
I see patients on Tuesday afternoons. I am chair of the Medical Executive Committee and a member of the board of directors. Between these activities, I usually spend 7-10 hours a week. I also really enjoy the comradery of working with other caregivers.
What do you do in your spare time—just for fun?
I work out four to five days a week, walk my dog Boomer two miles a day, and golf two-to-three times a week. Judi and I love to travel both overseas and to Annapolis to see our 22-month-old grandson Brayden.
Jim & Jean Brennan
Boys & Girls Club of Bluffton
What is the organization’s mission?
The mission of the Boys & Girls Club of Bluffton is to enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, caring, responsible citizens.
How long have you been a resident of the Lowcountry?
Four years. We stopped in Bluffton to visit an old college roommate on our way to Southwest Florida where we thought we would retire. Basically, my wife fell in love with Bluffton and the surrounding area, and we signed a contract here that weekend. We love Bluffton. We also never made it to Southwest Florida!
What makes this organization special to you?
The Boys & Girls Club of Bluffton allows young people today to just be young, have fun, and grow as individuals in a safe caring environment. The B&GC of Bluffton staff is outstanding. Each person helps make the world a better place by helping young people grow into caring, productive members of society.
What are your duties as a volunteer?
Helping in the canteen (kitchen) and in the gym; helping club members during study hour known as “Power Hour”; Teen Men’s Mentor, soccer coach of fall B&GC of Bluffton elementary school league team.
How many hours a week do you spend volunteering?
Six to eight.
What do you like to do in your spare time—just for fun?
Spend time exploring the area with my beautiful wife Jean, walk outside in nature, golf nine holes once a week, church activities, read.
Jack Toti
Hospice Care of the Lowcountry
What is the organization’s mission?
Hospice Care of the Lowcountry is an independent non-profit organization serving Beaufort and Jasper counties for 40 years. It was established to give comfort and dignity for end-of-life patients and their families through compassionate physical, emotional and spiritual care regardless of their financial circumstances.
How long have you been a resident of the Lowcountry?
Twenty-four years.
What makes this organization special to you?
Over the years, I have experienced what help and support hospice can be for individuals and their families. I joined Hospice Care of the Lowcountry in 2007 as a patient volunteer, and as a volunteer I feel very satisfied that I am helping people at the most difficult times in their lives. The fact that the patient I am seeing is terminal, I feel that I am also helping the caregiver with time to take care of things that need to be done and giving them time to feel and do normal things.
What do you like to do in your spare time—just for fun?
I am an active volunteer in my church. I enjoy golfing with a number of good friends. My wife and I have a large vegetable garden that we spend time working all year. I also spend time at a gym four or five mornings a week where I am exercising and meeting friends.
What are your duties as a volunteer?
I am a patient volunteer: I provide support to the families including the patient and the caregiver. I spend time with the patient and the caregiver and give the caregiver time to do things for him/ herself. I also do small jobs around the house, run errands for them, and basically do what I can to help them.
I am a veteran volunteer: Hospice makes it a priority to honor our veterans. We present the veteran with a certificate of appreciation and small meaningful gifts. When available, we use the ROTC cadets from Bluffton High School to make the presentations.
I am an administrative volunteer: I work in the office doing various tasks which includes indirect bereavement support.
How many hours a week do you spend volunteering?
It depends on the patient and the caregiver. Some weeks they do not need any assistance. Other weeks it could be anywhere from five to ten hours per week.
John Dupont
NAMI
What is the organizations mission?
The mission of NAMI Lowcountry is to provide free education and support to those affected by mental health conditions. The vision of the board, staff, and volunteers is to create awareness, remove the stigma, and improve the quality of life of those with mental health conditions, to include their families and loved ones.
How long have you been a resident of the Lowcountry?
My family and I moved to Hilton Head Island four years ago this November. Prior, we lived in West Ashley in Charleston for four years. We are coming up on a decade in the Lowcountry; we got here as quick as we could!
What makes this organization special to you?
The mission is real, and the issues we focus on are real, pertinent, and pervasive. Mental health affects every single person in some form or another. Mental health issues affect every family and community. What really makes NAMI Lowcountry special is that real, affected community members are volunteering in so many capacities. Everyone involved continues to stay connected and involved because it is real for them, their family, or someone close and dear to them.
What are your duties as a volunteer?
I raise my hand a lot during board and committee meetings. As the board chair, I like to create new energy and offer support to those with good momentum. Prior to becoming the board president, I worked on several of the initiatives to reshape the structure of NAMI to ensure we can operate within the capacities and capabilities of our board, staff, and volunteers. My main duty is to preserve the mission and vision of the organization and support everyone to the best of my ability.
How many hours a week do you spend volunteering?
The board meets once a month, and I am on the executive committee. We meet once a month as well. Those meetings are typically around an hour and a half. However, it is our time as a board in between those meetings that we communicate a lot. We are a connected board that communicates very well with one another and collectively. I spend an average of six to eight hours a week on NAMI: discussions, messages, pitching new ideas and possible changes to support the community and their personal journeys with mental health issues and concerns. I would be remiss if I did not bring attention to those who volunteer more and have done so with consistency for decades. They are the reason NAMI Lowcountry has been and will continue to be successful in the future. The current board is very grateful for their dedication and efforts in the past, present, and future.
What do you like to do in your spare time—just for fun?
What is this spare time that you speak of? Spare time is limited, so I find myself gravitating toward enjoyable and fulfilling activities. Especially, if they are multifaceted and provide several aspects: physical fitness, connectivity, and decompression. I am a very driven person, so my fun seems like work to some. I like to decompress and work through solutions while I run, cycle, work out, and standup paddle board. I enjoy reading for personal and professional development.
Barb and Marshall Grimes
The Litter Box/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?
We moved to Hilton Head 11 years ago from Northern Virginia after vacationing here many years.
What makes this organization special to you?
We are big animal lovers and fostered dogs and organized dog adoptions in Virginia for a rescue, so volunteering for Hilton Head Humane was a natural fit. We’ve been volunteering at the Litter Box for 10 years. The shelter is so clean, and they take such great care of their animals. We were also impressed with their goal of making Beaufort County a no-kill county by partnering with Beaufort County Animal Services. This goal was realized a few years ago with the opening of the Okatie Campus. We are very proud to be a part of this effort. Our three cats and dog all came from HHH!
What are your duties as a volunteer?
We are a pretty small group. In addition to ourselves, we also have Lori Frankovic and John Welty on the eBay team. The Litter Box benefits from the donation of many quality items, some of which can be better marketed to the wider eBay community. The donation room has become very good at spotting such items, and they are sent upstairs to us for further research and listing. Marshall does most of the shipping as well as some listing, and I do most of the listing. We include a packing slip in every box shipped that contains information about our cause. We have sold some interesting things: Mont Blanc pens, an Italian bicycle, snow skis, jewelry, quality art, high end stereo equipment and a motorcycle seat. If people have some nicer things to donate, we can assure you that our eBay team strives to make as much money as possible for the dogs and cats. If you bring an item in that you feel is valuable, please let someone in the donation room know and they will take it from there. The more information we have about items from the donor, the better! If you are an eBay shopper, find our over 300 listed items by clicking on Advanced Search to the right of the search box on the eBay main screen, scrolling down until you see Sellers. Click “only show items from” and typing hiltonheadhumaneassociation to the right of include.
How many hours a week do you spend volunteering?
We spend three to four mornings a week at the Litter Box and 10-12 hours weekly at home fielding offers, answering questions, and revising items. We are looking for more volunteers for our team. We always have a backlog of items to list simply because we don’t have enough help. Come join us and help make some money for animals!
What do you like to do in your spare time—just for fun?
We both love being outside, so we kayak, bike, golf, and play pickleball. Marshall is a big reader, and I enjoy visiting the shelter and socializing.
Helen Hinds
The Deep Well Project
What is the organization’s mission?
The Hilton Head Island Deep Well Project will address the basic needs of our clients, while working with them longer term, to foster greater self-sufficiency.
How long have you been a resident of the Lowcountry?
My husband and I moved to Hilton Head 20 years ago from Pittsburgh, Pa. and have never regretted a moment.
What are your duties as a volunteer?
I have volunteered for Deep Well for about 12 years and have been exposed to almost every position within the organization at one time or another. I am the immediate past chairman of the board of Deep Well, and I’m afraid my legacy will be being chairman when COVID changed our lives forever. We all worked many many hours to try to help as many families as possible who found themselves without jobs, many for the first time ever. I am also an office volunteer each week, which entails answering phone calls from clients, documenting their current needs, and verifying their information. For the last eight or nine years, I have been the chief “Elf” in our Santa Shop. We transform the flex space in our facility on Capital Drive into a Christmas Shop where parents of approximately 700 of our vetted clients can come shop for new toys and clothing for their children, at no cost to them. Being chairman of the children’s committee, I am also responsible for ordering school uniforms for our school-age children grades pre-K-12. Each child receives five uniform shirts and grade appropriate school supplies to start the school year.
How many hours a week do you spend volunteering?
My volunteer hours fluctuate with the season; some weeks I work just my normal shift of four hours. Other weeks, especially during the Christmas season, I work over 20 hours in the Deep Well Santa Shop, but also many additional hours are spent purchasing the clothing we distribute to the families.
What do you like to do in your spare time—just for fun?
I’m a lifelong tennis player, love to play bridge and, of course, spend lots of time at the beach with Poppy, my COVID rescue dog.
I have volunteered for non-profits for many years, and, for me, Deep Well is the most fulfilling. Deep Well is extremely supportive of all the volunteers whether they work four or 40 hours per week. We always feel appreciated and know that our thoughts and ideas matter. Many of my best friends are those I have worked with at Deep Well; we are like minded, work well together, and always know we can depend on each other. I am always rewarded when I can help a family avoid eviction by helping with a month’s rent after an unexpected event in their lives, or to provide two weeks of food and hygiene products to a family suffering from food insecurities. One of my most fulfilling moments, though, is the look of sheer happiness on the face of a young mother after she has shopped at the Santa Shop for her kids’ Christmas gifts and knows they will have an awesome holiday!
Daniel G. Merkel
Programs for Exceptional People (PEP)
What is the organization’s mission?
To promote independence, social interaction, and employment opportunities for adults who live with intellectual disabilities. We implement our mission by providing help through guidance and encouragement in a friendly environment for adults with a broad spectrum of intellectual, physical and development disabilities to enhance their live through socialization, literacy, and vocational training.
How long have you been a resident of the Lowcountry?
Owned a condo on HHI from 1998-2006, then purchased a house in Windmill Harbour. Have been a permanent resident since July 2010.
What makes this organization special to you?
I have been especially blessed in my life and activities with success and health. PEP provides an opportunity to contribute to the community at large and special members of the community specifically. The members are truly “special”: loving, caring, without prejudice or inhibitions.
What are your duties as a volunteer?
To sustain the vibrancy, financial capability, and viability of the organization through multiple applications of time and efforts while working with others.As president of the board, my principal contribution is to inform the board members of events and activities at PEP, implement the prerogatives of the board, provide direction and guidance to the executive director and development director (fundraising), represent PEP as needed, and to oversee the financial health of the organization while working with our treasurer.
How many hours a week do you spend volunteering?
In addition to PEP, I also serve as a volunteer at St. Francis by the Sea Catholic Church, the American Boat Club (formerly Sail & Power Squadron), and do boat safety inspections for the U.S. Coast Guard through the American Boating Club. Collectively, on average, I invest approximately 15 hours each week as a volunteer.
What do you do in your spare time—just for fun?
Golf once or twice per week as time permits, boating, biking, reading (typically one book per week), work out three times per week, traveling (restricted during COVID), gardening, and a sundry of other activities that fill my day. That’s enough!
Julie Janning
Meals on Wheels
What is the organization’s mission?
Meals-on-Wheels, Bluffton-Hilton Head provides meals to homebound clients on Hilton Head Island and in Bluffton (including Sun City) who lack capacity to prepare nutritious meals, without regard to their ability to pay. Warm meals are delivered five days a week. We not only deliver meals, but we also make sure our clients are doing well as part of our daily engagement with them.
Our meal delivery program is the heartbeat of our non-profit organization. Meals-on-Wheels, Bluffton-Hilton Head relies on the dedication of our volunteers to deliver a hot, nutritious meal every weekday, 52 weeks a year, even on holidays.
Meals-on-Wheels, Bluffton-Hilton Head, Inc. is a local 501(c)(3) charitable organization dedicated to providing our clients with one nutritious meal a day, in their own home, on a temporary or long-term basis.
How long have you been a resident of the Lowcountry?
We moved from Ohio to Hilton Head Island in June of 2015 but have owned here since January 2013.
What makes this organization special to you?
No matter where I have lived, I have always felt it was important to give back to your community. Meals on Wheels got my attention when I discovered there was such a need for so many people living on our island for a nutritious, hot meal, whether due to a temporary illness or surgery, or just the inability to get out and about. I enjoy seeing the smiles on their faces when I come knocking on their door.
What are your duties as a volunteer?
I arrive at our Meals on Wheels location by 9:30 a.m. The meals, drinks and sides have been set up on tables for each route; I am currently on route 1, which is mid-island to the south end. I label the bags with each client’s name and separate the hot foods from the cool drinks and sides. I carry two coolers, one for the hot and one for the cold, which are filled with the delivery order of the route for that day. Then I head out for delivery. Each client has different instructions on delivery, but for the most part, I knock and wait for them to come to the door. Then off to the next.
How many hours a week do you spend volunteering?
On the route I serve, each volunteer is given a day of the week, and then you volunteer every other month. My day is Thursday, and it usually takes about two hours from start to finish.
What do you like to do in your spare time—just for fun?
I like to run or walk on the beach or around my neighborhood, and I also like working on jigsaw puzzles, usually 1000 pieces. I almost always have a puzzle going on my puzzle board; it is a good stress reliever.
