Volunteer Spotlight: Bob Hodges

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[image source=”https://blufftonselfhelp.org/media/uploads/hodges-250×200.jpg” alt=”” width=”250″ height=”200″ align=”right”]One innocent phone call to inquire about volunteering at Bluffton Self Help, led to almost a full time commitment for Bob Hodges, a retired retailer who asked at an opportune time.  His help was desperately needed to set up the food and clothing distribution areas in Bluffton Self Help’s new location.

“I feel like I am in work mode and the greatest part is the service we provide to the community,” said Hodges. What a trooper!  Hodges has spent countless hours in the past six weeks to make sure all the donated clothing was sorted, hung by size and gender, and displayed properly.  He has sorted canned goods, handed out turkeys, unloaded the Second Helpings truck, and most importantly, headed the “Move Committee”.

With sweat on his brow more than not, he can often be seen breaking down boxes and lugging them to the recycling center or working his way through the numerous clothing and food donations for this holiday season.

Hodges said he learned about Bluffton Self Help at the Bluffton Farmers Market.  He was moved by the mission and wanted to volunteer in his new community.  He and his wife have owned a home in Bluffton since 2007 and moved here permanently in July of 2010.

Ideal for the job, Hodges has had a 25-year retail career in which he worked with leading companies in retail including Gap, Gap Kids, Banana Republic, Old Navy, Sprint and Forever 21.  He had positions ranging from manager positions in the field to vice president of corporate facilities.  He opened over 650 locations in his career.

“I have also been responsible for many aspects of field and corporate operations including customer service, store operations, visual merchandising, point of sale operations, store design, new store opening procedures, personnel management and development/financial operations,” explained Hodges.

How lucky for Bluffton Self Help!  Hodges’ energy keeps going strong as he helps Bluffton Self Help adjust to its new size and facility.  Despite the hours he has already given, he has signed on as a volunteer floor manager, willing to work five days a week, to assure things go smoothly and volunteers understand the policies and procedures in the new building.

“I am so impressed with the past accomplishments and future mission of Bluffton Self Help,” said Hodges.  “I am amazed at the resources we make available to clients.” He went on to say that he has lived in major metropolitan areas that don’t offer the level of services that Bluffton charities do for this community.

Hodges advice to anyone interested in volunteering at Bluffton Self Help, “Treat every client with respect and never turn anyone away who is in real need.”

When he isn’t at Bluffton Self Help, he is promoting one of his dearest possessions.   His dog Tiki is the cover girl for the calendar being printed by the Hilton Head Island Packet to benefit the local animal shelters.

Ask the staff, Hodges is a manly man with a real heart!