he Bluffton community is overflowing with active, generous and involved people who look forward to sharing their time, knowledge and experiences to help others.

The volunteer base in Sun City alone achieved these numbers: Over 2000 volunteer hours were logged at the West Hardeeville Elementary school last year and that does not include the many volunteer hours logged at five local Bluffton schools from the elementary level, through middle school and high school.

Coastal Carolina Medical Center volunteers have averaged 720 hours per month. Okatie Outpatient Center opened in the fall of 1998 volunteers there have worked thousands of hours.

The Sew What Club Quilters have donated hundreds of quilts to wounded soldiers returning from the Middle East.

Several Sun City groups, The Rotary Clubs of Bluffton and All Joy Beach Preservation Association along with many others pick up trash on the highways every month.

The amount of money and volunteer hours donated from our community to Hurricane Katrina victims and other major catastrophes is countless. Bluffton has been called one of the biggest fundraising areas around. We just love to give. And that my friends is what makes our town special. The heart of the community beats to the rhythm of kindness.

Volunteer Opportunities in Bluffton

CHILDREN’S SERVICES: Assist in a variety of after-school programs from tutoring to sports and field trips.

Boys & Girls Club of Bluffton PO Box 1908 Bluffton, SC 29910
843-706-2300

Bluffton Family YMCA (www.ymca.net) 18 Plantation Business Park Bluffton
843-757-9622

Bluffton Elementary 160 H E McCracken Circle, Bluffton
843-706-8500

Bluffton High School 12 H.E. McCracken Circle, Bluffton
843-689-8800

Michael C. Riley Elementary 200 Burnt Church Rd., Bluffton
843-757-2296

Okatie Elementary 1657 Okatie Highway, Bluffton
843-322-7700

May River Montessori
843-757-2312

SANDBOX-An Interactive Museum for Children
843-842-7645

Children’s Relief Fund (CRF)
843-681-7668

Boy and Girl Scouts
Girls-843-757-6639
Boys-Bill Tholen -843-836-3006

Child Development Center
Contact Janice 843-987-9111

Sun City Book Club - Volunteers and donations welcome. Purchase new books to give to children at Christmas.
843-705-2695/843-705-5848

COMMUNITY SERVICE AGENCIES: Assists Bluffton area residents and non-profit organizations in many different situations.

March of Dimes - 843-341-9005

Rotary Club of Bluffton - www.blufftonrotary.org

Okatie Rotary Club - 843-342-7610 843-815-POLO

Zonta Club - 843-341-3700

American Red Cross - 843-757-7437

American Cancer Society (www.cancer.org) - 843-842-5188

Kiwanis Club -843-681-8800

Salvation Army (www.salvationarmyusa.org) 524-3727 or 524-2271

Bluffton Self Help - Food Services, Emergency Food, Assistance with utilities, rent, clothing & medication Contact person: Jenny Haney 843-757-8000

Calhoun Station- A thrift shop for charity. Donations accepted. Items ranging from clothes, electronics to furniture. 843-757-5191

Citizens Opposed to Domestic Violence (CODV)-Safehouse for women and children. 843-770-1083

United Way- (www.unitedwayofbeaufortco.org/agencies.htm) Fund-raising and coordination of community human service agencies.

Bluffton/ Helpline 843-757-4357(HELP)

Meals on Wheels. Drivers and donations appreciated 843-689-8334

The Volunteer Center-Matches your interest with a community need. 843-686-4361

Habitat for Humanity-Volunteer for construction-843-757-5864 Volunteers for resale store-843-757-9995

Senior Services of Beaufort - (www.seniorservicesofbeaufort. org/) A non-profit organization dedicated to helping older citizens maintain their lives with independence and dignity, Bluffton Senior Center Ulmer Road Bluffton 843-757-1508

S.C.O.R.E. (www.scorehiltonhead.com) Retired executives offer advice to new business owners. 843-785-7107

Low Country Legal Aid-Retired attorneys sharing advice. 843-341-9222

Town of Bluffton-Commissions and committees which cover a variety of civic issues. Play a part in the town.

Victim Advocacy Program (Victims of Crime) (www.bcso.net/servicesvictimadvocacy.php)

Beaufort County Sheriff’s Dept.
Contact Persons: Sgt. Mabelle Scott 843-470- 3717
or Sgt. Prince Norton 843-842-4111

CULTURAL SERVICES: Provide help and encouragement in the arts and environmental aspects of our community.

Coastal Discovery Museum (www.coastaldiscovery.org)-Volunteers needed as tour guides, speakers, office and giftshop assistance. 843-689-6767, ext. 225 /FAX 843-689-6760

The Score Program (not the same as S.C.O.R.E.) (www3.csc.noaa.gov/scoysters/html/project.htm) South Carolina Oyster Restoration and Enhancement Program - oyster shell recycling and community-based restoration. By working together, community members and biologists can restore oyster populations.
SCDNR Marine Resources 843 953-9820

U.S. Coast Guard Guard Auxilary-Variety of water and boat related areas. 843-671-6536

May River Theater - Help stage productions. Contact Ed or Jodie Dupuis 843-837-7768

Heyward House (www.heywardhouse.org) - Bluffton Welcome Center and historic home. Volunteer to be a docent. Become a Bluff Buff - the volunteer force of the Heyward House Historic Center and the Bluffton Historical Preservation Society - opportunities exist for museum tour guides, giftshop attendants and preservation helping hands. Please join us at one of the introductory training sessions offered on Saturdays in February (Feb 4, Feb 11, Feb 18, or Feb 25) from 11am - 12 noon at the Heyward House 70 Boundary Street in Old Town Bluffton For more information, call Maureen at 843-757-6293

Heritage Library-Office, research and bookstore. 843-689-9558

EDUCATION SERVICES: Opportunity to contribute your services in our resourse centers.

Friends of the Bluffton Library (http://www.co.beaufort.sc.us/bftlib/bluffton/blufftonfriends.htm) 843-757-1519

Literacy Volunteers of the Low Country (info@lowcountryliteracy.org)-Help adults learn to speak English. 843-686-6655

Public / private schools - Schools enlist the aid of non-certified individuals to enhance learning opportunities. Assist with one of the splendid reading programs in the public schools.

Programs for Exceptional People (PEP) - Help mentor adults with developmental disabilities. 843-681-8413

HEALTH CARE: Help provide a little “TLC” for people in the community who need assistance with healthcare issues.

Access Network - AIDS resource and support group. Free and confidential HIV testing and conseling. 843-379-5600

Sun City Alzheimer’s and other Dementia Support Group Contact person: Marilyn Wiener, MS, Director and Group Facilitator 843-705-5349 (Call for meeting information or for information on Alzheimer and other forms of dementia) Alzheimer’s Respite and Resource - Christy 843-842-6688

Coastal Carolina Medical Center-843-784-8000

Okatie Outpatient Center - 843-705-8800

Mental Health Assn. of Beaufort/Jasper Counties-needs your help to provide advocacy, education and services to children, adults and the elderly. 843-682-9200

Caring Hearts - Provides assistance to medical caregivers in time of need. 843-837-3084

Hospice Volunteers - Provides support for the terminally ill and their families. Give time off to a caregiver. Offer a few precious hours respite to people who devote themselves round-the-clock to loved ones who are terminally ill or victims of Alzheimer’s.

Palmetto Health Hospice-1-888-818-8269/843-705-2566

Hospice Care of the Low Country - 843-342-8919
Hospice Care of the Lowcountry will offer its 21-hour training course for new volunteers in March at its new offices in Bluffton Village. The dates are March 13, 15, 17, 20, 22 and 24, from 2 to 5:30 p.m. each day. 342-8919

Hospice Community Thrift - 843-689-5455

Carolina House of Bluffton - Help with reading, walking or visiting with people in our assisted living community. Musicians especially welcome. 843-816-2555

Heros On Horseback - Help with horse riding sessions for children & adults with special needs. 843-757-5606

ANIMAL SERVICES: Help in office work, animal care and vet assistance.

Palmetto Animal League (amy@palmettoanimalleague.org) Needs volunteers to assist with adoptable pets. Call Amy Campanini 843-227-2691

Miracle Animal Rescue Spay and Neuter Clinic - Needs fundraising director, events planner and vet assistance. 843-227-DOGS

Carolina Companion Animal - offering low cost spay and neuter services Volunteers needed in all areas. 843-815-4984