During the annual Volunteer Appreciation event in May, Bluffton Self Help announced the 2024 Volunteers of the Year – Joy Nelson, Tutor of the Year, and Kimberly Bart, Basic Needs Volunteer of the Year.
Joy Nelson brings warmth, empathy, and a quiet strength to her role as a education tutor. Whether she’s leading a session or offering one-on-one support, Joy’s kind and patient approach creates an environment where adult learners feel safe, respected, and truly seen. She understands that learning as an adult takes courage—and she honors that courage with every interaction. The investment of time Joy gives BSH and her students is admirable, as she tutors both ESL and GED, in Bluffton and Hardeeville, three times a week.
Kimberly Bart has become a cornerstone for our volunteer team since putting on the Red Apron for the first time in October 2022, As an “on-call” volunteer, she’s always ready to jump in and lend a hand wherever it’s needed most, bringing reliability, heart, and leadership to her role. While she’s always happy to step into front-of-house volunteer roles, Kim greatest impact often happens quietly in the background—where her dedication, organizational skills, and warm spirit keep things running smoothly. She works as well independently as she does with the team, consistently going above and beyond—making her a go-to for staff when it comes to major initiatives like Stock The Market and the Holiday Toy Drive. Her ability to lead special projects with efficiency and care makes her an invaluable part of our operations.
Bluffton Self Help is fortunate to have a team of dedicated volunteers with a passion for serving Lowcountry neighbors in need. To learn more about becoming a Red Apron volunteer, visit the Get Involved tab on our website.
