One of the things that makes Seabrook Island so special is the breadth of interests and talents shared by its residents. Fortunately, we have a wide variety of avenues to nurture those interests and talents. Depending on what is important to you and how you like to spend your time, you might want to check out these volunteer opportunities.
Backpack Buddies Seabrook Island (BPBSI)
BPBSI is an all-volunteer, nonprofit 501(c)(3) charity founded in May, 2014. Our mission is to feed hungry children living below the poverty line who attend Charleston County, SC public schools. We provide nutritious food and snacks to those needy children for the weekend (and school holidays) so that they do not go hungry and can return to school ready to learn. We currently purchase and deliver food for 300 students each week at Elementary and High School’s in the area. Please contact us if you are interested in volunteering or would like more information.
Contact: Mark Snyder, snydermws@yahoo.com, 919-724-9847.
Website:https://backpackbuddiesseabrookisland.com/
Lowcountry Marine Mammal Network
The Lowcountry Marine Mammal Network (LMMN) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit focused on protecting marine mammals (dolphins, whales, and seals) in South Carolina waters. The Lowcountry is home to approximately 350 year-round “resident” dolphins. These mammals rely on clean, safe, and quiet water to hunt, socialize and rear young. LMMN needs you to help support them in this important cause!
There are an abundance of LMMN programs and volunteer opportunities that can fit many interests including:
- Dolphin monitoring programs
- Stranding response (to marine mammals along the SC coast)
- Education programs (school, in-person and virtual)
- Strand feeding education programs (specific to Seabrook and Kiawah Islands)
- Summer dolphin camps for kids
- General public outreach (tabling at events, festivals, and more)
If you are interested in learning more about any of these activities, please contact Brooke Brown, LMMN Outreach Coordinator, at brooke@lmmn.org or visit our website at www.lmmn.org for additional information.
Meals That Heal – Ronald McDonald House Charleston
The Ronald McDonald House (RMH) Meals That Heal program provides breakfasts and dinners to families who are staying at the RMH, who often don’t have the time, funds, or energy to prepare a healthy, home-cooked meal. After a long day at the hospital, a hot meal is a welcome gift. The Meals That Heal program relies completely on people within the community to keep it up and running.
Sarah and Bill Good have been organizing groups of volunteers from Seabrook to provide dinners monthly. The volunteers work as a group to plan menus, purchase ingredients, and prepare meals in RMH’s fully-equipped kitchen. It’s a fun group activity, all while providing much needed support to families of sick children.
Contact Sarah Good at sarahgood329@gmail.com if you are interested in volunteering with other Seabrookers.
Seabrook Island Village, Neighbors Helping Neighbors
Seabrook Island Village (SIV), Neighbors Helping Neighbors, is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization totally staffed by volunteers with the goal of helping Seabrookers of any age remain independent and active in the community. The program officially launched in January, 2020 to fulfill SIV’s mission of providing a variety of services to Seabrookers through a group of trained and vetted volunteers. Services include, but are not limited to transportation, companionship visits, reassuring calls, minor home maintenance, and basic help with technology. We especially are in need of volunteers for transportation and those that are interested in planning and attending social events with members.
Click here for the volunteer application form. Contact: Lucy Walton at lswalton6@gmail.com.
Sea Islands Hunger Awareness Foundation
The Sea Islands Hunger Awareness Foundation (SIHAF) is a non-profit organization whose mission is fighting island hunger and providing clean water for the residents of Johns and Wadmalaw Islands. SIHAF oversees three programs needing volunteers.
On the second Saturday of each month, the Blessing Basket provides approximately 300 baskets of nourishing groceries, fresh produce, meat, eggs. and bread to residents of Johns and Wadmalaw Islands. For an opportunity to volunteer for the monthly packing and distribution of the Blessing Basket food, contact the Volunteer Coordinator: Louise Baucom at louise.baucom@gmail.com.
In the Crockpot Cooking program, volunteers provide hands-on instructions to elementary and middle school students on Johns and Wadmalaw Islands as they learn to prepare healthy, nutritious meals in a crockpot. To volunteer or for additional information please contact Barbara Griffin at griffib@clemson.edu.
The Water Wellness Mission installs new wells and filtration systems for the hundreds of people on Johns and Wadmalaw Islands who suffer from impure water, and dysfunctional wells. For information and to volunteer, contact: John Carpenter, jcarpenter1313@gmail.com, 309-648-8249.
–Tidelines Editors
(Image credit: Clipart Library; BPBSI; LMMN; SIHAF; SIV)