
2010 Charitable Register
The Lowcountry is home to a great number of charitable organizations that need volunteers and donations, both during the holiday season and all year long. Following is a list of some of those organizations. For a complete list of all nonprofit organizations in Beaufort County, visit http://nccs.urban.org.
NONPROFITS
American Cancer Society
Nationwide, community-based voluntary health organization dedicated to eliminating cancer as a major health problem. Funds research, individual care and support and education to promote awareness of the disease. 59 Pope Avenue, Hilton Head. 842-5188; www.cancer.org/involved
American Heart Association
Supports research, education and community programs on cardiovascular disease; 681-2355; www.americanheart.org
American Red Cross
Services include blood donation program, safety training classes and helping victims of fires and other local disasters. 757-7437; www.lowcountryredcross.org
Beaufort County Open Land Trust:
Protects land permanently by working with private citizens and communities. Accepts donations of properties and helps landowners establish legal restrictions that limit harmful use and development. 521-2175; www.openlandtrust.com
Bluffton Self Help
Helps individuals in the greater Bluffton area who are in critical need of short-term, documented financial assistance; provides them with the most fundamental needs, such as food and clothing, while urging them to become more self-reliant. 757-8000; www.blufftonselfhelp.org
Born to Read
Volunteers visit new parents in the birthing centers at Beaufort Memorial Hospital and Hilton Head Hospital and bring the parents a gift bag containing a board book, a bib, a shirt and other items and advise the parents of the importance of daily reading and talking with their babies starting at birth. 379-3350; www.borntoread.org
Boys & Girls Clubs of the Lowcountry
Nurtures young people’s self-esteem by instilling in them a sense of belonging, usefulness, influence and competence. Programming in five core program areas: Character and Leadership Development, Education and Career Development, Health and Life Skills, The Arts and Sports, Fitness and Recreation. Hilton Head Island, 689-5565; Bluffton, 757-2845; www.bgchhi.com
Caring Coins
Established by Hargray to provide support to local 501(c)(3) nonprofit organizations. Participants in the program are Hargray Communications customers who voluntarily round up their monthly bill. 341-COIN; www.caringcoins.org
Child Abuse Prevention Association (CAPA)
Provides prevention and intervention programs targeted at breaking the cycle of child abuse and neglect. 524-4350; capabeaufort.org
Children’s Center
Provides high quality, high-impact educational child care; Hilton Head, 681-2739; Bluffton, 757-5549; www.thechildrenscentersc.org
Citizens Opposed to Domestic Violence (CODA)
Provides free and confidential information and help to victims of domestic violence. Services include 24-hour crisis counseling, emergency shelter, victim advocacy, legal assistance, case management, information and referral, support groups, and children’s services. 770-1070; www.codalowcountry.org
Community Caring for Children
Provides mobile health care van for children in the public elementary and middle schools, preschool facilities and children of migrant workers. Strives to assure that all eligible children have their molars sealed, receive fluoride treatments and are screened for active dental disease by X-rays and examinations. P.O. Box 23423, Hilton Head, SC 29925
Deep Well Project
The Deep Well project streamlines a broad range of vital social services for the working poor, disabled and infirm within the greater Hilton Head area. 785-2849; www.deepwellproject.org
Friends of the Beaufort County Library
The organization supports all Beaufort County libraries in order to keep them consistently active and updated. 470-6504; www.beaufortcountylibrary.org/htdocs-sirsi/allfriends.htm
Friends of the Rivers
Protects the quality of local water resources by providing water quality education and information to residents of the Lowcountry as it relates to a community’s cultural, social, economic or scientific concerns. 227-0004; www.friendsoftherivers.com
Italian-American Club of Hilton Head
Promotes Italian heritage and culture, and raises and distributes funds to local scholarships and charitable organizations. Email info@iachh.org. iachh.org
Hilton Head Regional Habitat for Humanity
Habitat works in partnership with people in need to build and renovate decent, affordable housing. The houses are sold to those in need at no profit with no interest charged. 21 Brendan Lane, Bluffton. 757-5864; habitathhi.org
Lowcountry Habitat for Humanity
Habitat works in partnership with people in need to build and renovate decent, affordable housing. The houses are sold to those in need at no profit and with no interest charged. 522-3500; www.lowcountryhabitat.org
Heritage Library Foundation
The Foundation is devoted to the study and preservation of national and ancestral history. A not-for-profit organization staffed entirely by volunteers, it operates a history and genealogical library and administers two historic sites from the Colonial and Civil War eras. 843-686-6560 ; www.heritagelib.org.
Heroes on Horseback
Fosters safe, professional and ethical equine-assisted activities for individuals with physical, mental or emotional disabilities. 757-5607; www.heroesonhorseback.org
Hilton Head Audubon Society
Promotes awareness and appreciation of nature to preserve and protect wildlife and natural ecosystems and to encourage responsible environmental stewardship. www.hiltonheadaudubon.org; email Clem at clemd@hargray.com
Hilton Head Heroes
Provides weeklong vacations to Hilton Head Island for children suffering from life-threatening illnesses and their families. 671-4939; hhheroes.com
Hilton Head Hospital Auxiliary
Sponsors the hospital gift shop, Red Cross Bloodmobile and the “Trolley,” a campus transport golf cart. Assists patients who are without sufficient resources to meet certain health needs; provides scholarships to local residents who wish to pursue nursing careers. 689-8246; www.hiltonheadregional.com
Hilton Head Humane
Provide care and shelter for stray, abandoned and abused dogs and cats; places animals in stable and loving homes; promotes and provides spaying and neutering; educates community on proper care and treatment of animals. 681-8686; www.hhhumane.org
Hope Haven of the Lowcountry: Children’s Advocacy and Rape Crisis Center
Provides child and adult forensic interviews, crisis counseling, victim advocacy, family support, law enforcement partnership and educational programs. 524-2256; www.hopehavenlc.org
Hospice Care of the Lowcountry
Offers care, comfort and dignity unconditionally to individuals at the end of life and support for families; 706-2296; www.hospicecarelc.org
Island Recreation Center
Provides wide variety of programs for children, families and seniors. 681-7273; www.islandreccenter.org
Junior Jazz Foundation
Philanthropic outreach effort of The Jazz Corner, formed to educate and enable young musicians in the community by supplying instruments, scholarships, classes and seminars. The Village at Wexford C-1, Hilton Head. 681-9100; www.thejuniorjazzfoundation.com
Lifelong Learning of Hilton Head Island
Learning institute for working and retired adults. 842-8250; www.lifelonglearninghhi.org
Literacy Volunteers of the Lowcountry
Equips adults with reading, writing, math and speaking skills. Bluffton, 815- 6616; Hilton Head, 681-6655; www.lowcountryliteracy.org
Low Country Legal Clinic, Inc.
Engages community volunteers and retired attorneys in providing free advice, education and legal representation to low-income families. 815-1570; www.lowcountrylegalaid.org
Meals on Wheels
Delivers meals to qualified clients in southern Beaufort County. 689-8334; www.mowblufftonhhi.com
Memory Matters
Helps families who face the challenges of living with a diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease; offers a social day program for those with Alzheimer’s and other forms of dementia. 842-6688; www.nia.nih.gov/alzheimers; www.memory-matters.org
National Alliance on Mental Illness, Beaufort County
Self-help, support and advocacy organization for people with mental illness, and their families and friends. 681-2200; www.NAMIBeaufortCounty.com
Native Island Business and Community Affairs
Sponsors Hilton Head Island Gullah Celebration, which was designed to create economic development opportunities for minority business owners, to develop the cultural tourism market and to increase tourism in February on Hilton Head Island. 689-9314; www.gullahcelebration.com
Operation R&R
Provides our men and women in the armed forces with the opportunity to reconnect with their spouses and children on their return from Iraq or Afghanistan. Local property owners donate their homes and villas on Hilton Head Island for this purpose. www.operationrestandrelax.org
Palmetto Animal League
Promotes humane treatment of animals, rescue and education programs, helps provide spay/neuter services. 645-1725; www.palmettoanimalleague.org
Penn Center
Promotes and preserves the history and culture of the Sea Islands; acts as local, national and international resource center, and catalyst for the development of programs for self-sufficiency. 838-2432; www.penncenter.com
Pregnancy Center and Clinic of the Low Country
Enables women to make responsible choices regarding reproductive health issues. 689-2222; www.pregnancycenterhhi.org
Programs for Exceptional People (PEP)
Serves individuals affected by intellectual and developmental disabilities. Provides skills training in the areas of employment, utilization of resources and independent living. 681-8413; www.pephhi.org
Second Helpings
Collects surplus foods that would otherwise have been wasted from restaurants, resorts, caterers, supermarkets and others. Volunteers then deliver this food to agencies serving the disadvantaged in the Lowcountry of South Carolina. 689-3689; www.secondhelpingshhi.org
Snac Spay Neuter
Low-cost spay/neuter clinic. 645-2500; www.snac1.com
Toys for Tots
U. S. Marine Corps Reserve Toys for Tots Program collects new, unwrapped toys during October, November and December each year, and distributes those toys as Christmas gifts to needy children in the community. 912-315-4760; www.toysfortots.org
Treat the Troops
Home-baked cookies and other items, including a note of thanks, are sent to members of the armed forces. Started by Jeanette Cram, the “Cookie Lady.” www.treatthetroops.org
United Way
Supports a variety of social services, including information and referral for emergency or non-emergency needs such as counseling, food and shelter, suicide prevention, emergency shelter for children and battered women, and other human service needs. 837-2000; www.uwlowcountry.org
Volunteers in Medicine
Retired medical professionals provide quality health care services in free clinics that focus on serving the needs of the working uninsured. 689.6612; www.vimclinic.org
SERVICE GROUPS
Junior League of Savannah-South Carolina Lowcountry Projects
An organization of women committed to promoting volunteering, developing the potential of women, and improving communities through the effective action and leadership of trained volunteers. 912-790-1002; www.jrleaguesav.org
Kiwanis
Members work to develop future generations of leaders. They help revitalize neighborhoods, organize youth sports programs, tutor, build playgrounds and perform other projects to help children and their local communities. Kiwanis Club of Hilton Head - Palmetto: http://palmettokiwanisclub.org; Kiwanis Club of Hilton Head Island: www.hiltonheadkiwanis.com; 686-8130.
Knights of Columbus
Social and intellectual fellowship is promoted among members and their families through educational, charitable, religious, social welfare, war relief and public relief works. Council 12263-Cardinal Bernardin, Bluffton; Council 10668-Thomas D. Reilley Sr., Hilton Head; Council 7289-Raymond G. Bennett, Hilton Head; www.kofc.org
Lions
Conducts vision screenings, equips hospitals and clinics, distributes medicine and raises awareness of eye disease. Clubs on Hilton Head and in Bluffton. www.sclions.org
Rotary
Provides service to others, promotes high ethical standards, and to advance world understanding, goodwill and peace through its fellowship of business, professional, and community leaders. Local clubs include: Bluffton; Hilton Head; Hilton Head – Sunset; Hilton Head – Van Landingham; Okatie. www.rotary7770.org
Women’s Association of Hilton Head
Promotes natural and cultural beauty of the island, encourages projects which benefit the community, and facilitates communication among the women of the island. 837-5138; www.wahhi.com
Zonta
Organization of executives and professionals working together to advance the status of women worldwide through service and advocacy. Zonta members volunteer their time, talents and money to local and international service projects as well as scholarship award programs aimed at furthering women’s education, leadership and youth development. Zonta Club of Bluffton: www.zontaclubofbluffton.com; Zonta Club of Hilton Head Island: zontahhi.org
FOUNDATIONS
There are hundreds of foundations throughout Southern Beaufort County. Here are just a few:
Celebrity Golf Foundation
16 children’s organizations share in the proceeds from the annual celebrity golf tournament. www.hhcelebritygolf.com; 842-7711
Community Foundation of the Lowcountry
Makes grants to local nonprofits that benefit the area. www.cf-lowcountry.org; 681-9100
Curry Foundation
Provides emotional and financial support to individuals or families who have experienced a life-altering tragedy such as a serious or terminal illness or death of a parent or spouse, creating tremendous financial hardship. www.curryfoundation.org
David Carmines Foundation
Supports cancer research, cancer patient support and public recreation. www.davidmcarmines.org
Heritage Classic Foundation
Nonprofit organization that became the general sponsor of the Heritage. Proceeds left over from the tournament are donated to local charities. www.heritageclassicfoundation.com
THE ARTS / MUSEUMS
Arts Center of Coastal Carolina
Broadway-style theater, pop, jazz and classical concerts, children’s events and more. 14 Shelter Cove Lane, Hilton Head; 842-2787; artshhi.com
Art League of Hilton Head Island
Promotes and supports the visual arts through education, exhibitions and partnerships. Ste. 207, Pineland Station, Hilton Head; 681-5060; www.hhal.org
Coastal Discovery Museum
Hands-on exploration of the history, wildlife and heritage of coastal Carolina. 100 William Hilton Parkway (Honey Horn Plantation), Hilton Head; 689-6767; www.coastaldiscovery.org
Hilton Head Choral Society
Variety of musical performances at various venues. 341-6468; hiltonheadchoralsociety.org
Hilton Head Symphony Orchestra
Music by the masters, pops programs, youth orchestra and more. Performances at First Presbyterian Church, Hilton Head, and various venues; 842-2055; www.hhso.org
Main Street Youth Theatre
Provides theatrical experience to amateur local young talent. 689-MAIN (6246); www.msyt.org
May River Theatre Company
Musical revues, various theater productions. Corner of Bridge and Pritchard streets (in Bluffton Town Hall), Bluffton; 815-5581; mayrivertheatre.com
The Sandbox — An Interactive Children’s Museum
Hands-on interactive children’s museum filled with unique, entertaining and educational play areas to explore. 18 Pope Ave., Hilton Head; 842-7645; thesandbox.org
South Carolina Repertory Theatre
Broadway-style theater, musical theater and more. 136 Beach City Road, Hilton Head; 342-2057; hiltonheadtheatre.com