News and Stories

Please drop off any food donations to the below Food Drives throughout our community: Bluffton Self Help NO Contact Food Donation Drop-off Details: You may leave your donations in one of the bins located around and in the back of the BSH building Where: Bluffton Self Help | 39 Sheridan Park Cir | Bluffton, SC 29910 When: Mondays-Thursdays | 10am-2pm * Please do not leave any donations outside of this time as they do attract animals. Sun City Residents Details: You may leave your donations on the porch of two Sun City neighbors Where: 24 Bristol Bay or 386 Eaglecrest Drive When: Anytime Looking to hold your own food drive for your neighborhood? Please email julia@blufftonselfhelp.org

Education & Resource Center 2nd Anniversary Our Education and Resource Center (ERC) is turning two next month! The ERC was created to provide additional resources for our neighbors whose income falls above the poverty line yet well below a livable wage. We are incredibly proud of the work we have been able to do and continue to do through the ERC’s programs, workshops, hiring events, ESL classes, job skills training and GED classes in partnership with BCSD Adult Education. We know our neighbors cannot be truly successful until their basic needs are met but the Education & Resource Center takes our mission one step further- to create opportunities for our neighbors in need. These opportunities truly change lives and support our neighbors on their path to personal success. We continue to grow and innovate to meet the needs of our community and to break the cycle of poverty. Looking forward, we’ll continue to improve and expand our core services of food, clothing and emergency financial assistance, while building on the early success of our Education & Resource Center. Our vision is to be recognized as Beaufort County’s leading community-centered organization that facilitates and engages the community and other human services organizations to improve the quality of life and provide a personal pathway to success for all fo our neighbors in need. Check out our monthly ERC Calendar for all the events & classes!

SEASON OF GIVING | STORIES OF GRATITUDE
Bluffton Self Help is celebrating 32 years of serving our community and rewriting the story for thousands of families. We have continued to grow and innovate over the years to meet the evolving needs of our neighbors. As the years pass and the seasons change, one thing always stays the same, the generosity of our community. You can always tell when November is here. The business of people’s lives become more intense, the stores create winter wonderlands and children eagerly write their letters to Santa. At times, we may forget that there is so much more to this beautiful season but to the families who participate in our Holiday Hope Toy Shop – they never forget. They hold onto the memories made and the smiles on their children’s faces because of you, our community. These are the greatest gifts you can give.
No matter what holidays you celebrate or maybe don’t, these next two months are meant for giving thanks and giving back to those we love and hold dear.
It is during times like these, when we might become consumed in the hustle and bustle of our own lives that we can easily look past those truly in need. Every day we are grateful to be able to see the difference each of you make in our community. With each day, we become more humbled by the people in our community. Small acts of kindness, small gifts or simply ideas to help our neighbors in need may seem insignificant but often they make the biggest difference. Every family has a story and we are thankful to be a small part of some of those. Thank you for helping us to make an impact on the families and stories like these: “Last year, we received your wonderful gifts and I was really grateful. I never received any help ever and this is really emotional and overwhelming last year. Someday, I will be able to donate to you and make someone’s Christmas just as merry as ours was last year. May your light so shine as bright as the morning star in every place you go and to those you come to meet in your lives. Thank you very much.” – BSH Client “In my life I am always been “the helper”, the one who helped others. It has always given me deep joy to donate to organizations like yours. I could never imagine that one day things would have changed and my son and I were going to be the ones in need. It has been hard to accept this. It has been hard to accept to receive but I am so very deeply grateful with all my heart to all the people that have donated to us from their hearts during the holiday season. You certainly did bring great joy under our Christmas tree, it meant a lot to us. Now that I have been on both sides of the coin, I have a better understanding of the need and giving. Thank you from my heart to all the people who made this holidays possible.” – BSH Client “Thank you for giving us those toys on Christmas. My daughter especially liked the stuffed animal and sleeps with it every night. I really was happy when I was able to get sweaters and coats for my kids because I could not afford it.” – BSH Client “Thank you for kindness and generosity. It’s the most amazing, joyful and unforgettable Christmas for us because of you!! I haven’t seen my son so happy in the last 5 years as he has been last Christmas after seeing all the gifts. Bless yo Bluffton Self Help.” – BSH Client

Here at H.E. McCracken Middle, our hats are off to you, your staff and the volunteers of Bluffton Self Help. Community schools are grateful for the generosity shown with the delivery of an abundance of school supplies and health risk prevention items. Contributions of this magnitude make a tremendous difference in the lives of so many students throughout the school year. Students not having required school supplies are battles teachers no longer must fight. Additionally, they no longer have to spend precious instructional time calling or sending notes requesting materials. Now, the issue of students not having school supplies is an easy fix, because school supplies are readily available, thanks to the continuous efforts and commitment of you and your dedicated staff at Bluffton Self Help. When the need arises, students are sent to the School Social Worker with a note stating their needs. Seeing the faces of students when they receive needed backpacks, pencils, spiral notebooks, 3 ring binders, loose left paper and/or composition notebooks is simply pure delight. In addition to the generous donation of school supplies, you have taken caring to a whole new level, by graciously providing snacks! Here are just a few of the many responses received from teachers as they expressed their sincere gratitude toward the staff of Bluffton Self Help for your thoughtfulness and the kindness shown toward educators. “Thank you so much! It is such a treat to have snacks provided to help with the very busy days of teaching but even more that the community is supporting usJ
Chelsey Whitman | 8th Grade Math Thank you kindly for your generosity. Most importantly, friendly partnerships with the community are critical to our success.
Daniel A. Mcmorrow | 6th Grade Social Studies With kindest regards, Lindsey Skirtich
Principal Isabella S. White
School Social Worker

For many, living in the Lowcountry feels much like being on vacation every day; the beautiful views, quaint town, friendly people, mild weather, and easy access to the beach, what more could we ask for. These are the same reasons many flock to our little town several times a year, our streets become busy and local business booms. Tourist season is open. Many neighbors who work in the hospitality industry rely on this very distinct tourist season to get by and are grateful for the busy season. However, during the off season things die down and it can be hard to bring in a consistent paycheck. Eleanora found herself in this scenario and needed help. As the season started to slow down at a popular restaurant where she works she found herself getting behind in her bills. Since her husband’s contracting work was slow as well, this made it very difficult to bring home more than $600 in a month. Her family, like many living paycheck to paycheck, had no extra money for savings to get her through a difficult time. She requested financial assistance for her electric bill. The Financial Assistance through Bluffton Self Help has helped this family get caught up with their bills and has allowed Eleanora to complete the extensive dental work she is in need of. We are so happy you came in Eleanora, we know sometimes asking for help is the hardest part!

Kimberly Hall | Executive Director of Bluffton Self Help