(843) 757-8000 info@blufftonselfhelp.org

Holiday Toy Shop

by | Dec 5, 2018

Seeing first timers’ reactions are priceless. It is such a nice feeling to help take care of kids that otherwise would not be receiving toys for the holidays.”    -Rich, Volunteer

During the holidays, we collect toys from many of our community partners and local organizations such as Hampton Hall, Collins Group Realty, Hampton Lake, Bluffton Police Department and Fire Department, Water Lily Cove, Berkley Hall, Moss Creek, Colleton River, WSAV, WalMart, Sun City, Dude’s Bike Run and more. It truly is a community effort to ensure every family has something under the tree. Local groups and businesses organize toy drives asking for new toys for children ages up to 12 years old. And our generous community answers the call; delivering toys to their mailboxes, decorated boxes located at their gym, clubhouse or office. They then deliver the donated toys to Bluffton Self Help to stock up our “Toy Shop!”


After Thanksgiving, half of Bluffton Self Help’s building is transformed into a toy shop, just like the North Pole.  The Toy Shop is organized by age and consists of games, clothing, stocking stuffers and more. A few weeks before Christmas, parents are able to come shop for gifts for each of their children. Our volunteers act as Santa’s helpers and guide the parents through the “Toy Shop.” Each parent leaves joyfully, knowing their children will be have a smile on their face Christmas morning.

Thank you to each and every one of you who continues year after year to make our Toy Shop a reality! The businesses, volunteers, police departments, news stations and community members all come together to ensure every child has excitement on their face and in their heart on Christmas morning.

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COVID-19 Update to our Supporters

Dear Bluffton Self Help Friends, Because you are an important stakeholder in Bluffton Self Help, we want to keep you informed about how we are responding to the COVID-19. While we continue to do everything possible to ensure the safety of our staff, volunteers and clients, and to prevent community spread of the virus, at the same time we believe we must make every effort to continue to be here for our many neighbors in need. As we’ve reported before, we have modified to distributing pre-bagged groceries as opposed to neighbors shopping for items in our Wellness Food Pantry. We set up the very critical COVID-19 Family Relief Fund to ensure we are able to assist our neighbors with the emergency financial needs. We closed our Confidence Clothing Closet, however will always fill on demand requests for workwear. Our commitment to our community is stronger than ever. We continue to remain available every week day for neighbor’s inquiries, concerns and immediate basic needs. In this time of so many unknowns, the one thing know for certain is that the need for our support continues to rise every day. Many neighbors find themselves suddenly without income and in need of help for the first time. Hardworking neighbors living paycheck to paycheck, now are faced with an already stressful health crisis that puts real strain on their financial situation.
As we navigate the COVID-19 pandemic together, one thing is clear: Bluffton Self Help is a vital resource for our community. Bluffton Self Help is meeting the challenges of this moment head on. We’re working hard to ensure our community has consistent and safe access to food, basic needs and financial support to emerge through this crisis stronger. Just this week alone we served more than 300 families facing food insecurity and the number of new requests rising more than 20%. Our modified food distribution is able to provide each family with a weeks worth of fresh meat, produce, milk, bread and non-perishables each visit. The requests for financial support grow each day. With rising unemployment, we are ready to meet the needs of our community to prevent homelessness and ensure critical financial needs are being met for our neighbors. Many of you stepped up to support our services, our mission and most importantly our neighbors. We continue to receive donations of food, hygiene products and generous financial donations, but we can’t do it alone. We will continue to need your support to keep our operations open in a crucial time of need.
During this time of great uncertainty and unprecedented change, our commitment to our neighbors, staff and volunteers and the most vulnerable in our society remains stronger than ever. We could not do this without you. With your continued support, I know that we can meet this challenge head-on and emerge stronger, together.
Take care of yourself and each other. Kimberly Hall
Executive Director | Bluffton Self Help