Volunteer – Tidelines

Honoring Heroes: The Essential Services of St. Johns Fire District

One of the most critical resources we rely on is the service provided by the St. Johns Fire District. They not only offer essential fire prevention and response action but also deliver lifesaving interventions for the sea islands. Established in 1959, the St. Johns Fire District covers approximately 185 square miles across four barrier islands: Johns, Kiawah, Seabrook, and Wadmalaw.

Currently the district operates seven fully staffed fire stations: three on Johns Island, two on Kiawah Island, one on Seabrook Island, and one on Wadmalaw Island. The St. Johns Fire District employs 153 personnel, with 129 members in the Operations Division, all of whom are fire suppression certified. Additionally, the district maintains its own Human Resources, Finance, and Support Services teams.

BPBSI to Serve More Students

Backpack Buddies Seabrook Island (BPBSI) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization whose mission is to provide nutritious weekend meals to children living below the poverty line. Since 2014, BPBSI has been helping to feed food-insecure children attending school in Charleston County.

During the past year, BPBSI has served 352 children in three schools: Mt. Zion Elementary School, Lambs Elementary School, and Johns Island Elementary School.

Recently, Our Lady of Mercy Community Outreach on Johns Island approached BPBSI for help in supporting 16 children enrolled in their after-school program. While the Lowcountry Food Bank provides healthy meals during the week at the community center, these children still face a critical gap in access to nutritious food over the weekends. Since the mission of BPBSI is to provide weekend meals and snacks to children in need, it was proud to step in and help meet this need.

Backpack Buddies Seabrook Island is excited to welcome the newest member to the BPBSI community and looks forward to helping ensure local children have the food they need on the weekends.

Thank you for joining us in making a difference and helping ensure local children have the food they need to thrive. Together, we’re building a stronger, more caring community—one backpack at a time.

To learn more about Backpack Buddies Seabrook Island, click here.

-Submitted by Backpack Buddies Seabrook Island

2026 Women Build A Great Success

Women Build Week 2026
Raising Walls and Hope on Johns Island

Sea Island Habitat for Humanity is proud to announce that, thanks to the overwhelming generosity of community supporters and dedicated participants, it has successfully raised over $130,000 to fully fund the materials cost for the 2026 Women Build home.

Women Build Week 2026, presented by Publix Super Market Charities, saw one of the largest numbers of participants in the affiliate’s history. Starting February 23 through February 28, more than 300 volunteers visited the job site, donating their time, muscle, and energy to transform these funded materials into a permanent home for Ms. Carol, a beloved, long-time resident of Johns Island.

Sea Island Habitat for Humanity is the third-oldest Habitat affiliate in the world. Since 1978, they have been working to provide affordable housing for families in need across James, Johns, and Wadmalaw Islands, as well as the surrounding areas. Through volunteer labor and donations of money and materials, Sea Island Habitat for Humanity empowers families to achieve the dream of homeownership, creating a lasting impact in our community by providing a hand-up, not a handout.

–Tidelines Editors

Seabrook Island Dolphin Education Program

The Lowcountry Marine Mammal Network (LMMN) is hosting a volunteer informational meeting for the Kiawah and Seabrook Island Dolphin Education Program.

This program places education volunteers at Captain Sam’s Inlet to engage visitors about strand feeding dolphins. No experience needed and training is provided.

The informational meeting will cover volunteer roles and expectations.

Date: Tuesday, March 24, 2-3:30 pm

Location: Oyster Catcher Community Center

Please email Lauren@lmmn.org to register.

–Tidelines Editors

(Image credit: Lauren Rusk, LMMN)

2026 Habitat Women Build February 23-28

Sea Island Habitat for Humanity Announces Women Build Week Presented by Publix Super Market Charities

Gather your friends together for Sea Island Habitat for Humanity’s Women Build Week. This week-long event brings together women from across the community to raise walls, build strength, and create lasting impact for a local family.

No construction experience is required, and you don’t work all week. Volunteers of all skill levels are welcome and will work alongside Sea Island Habitat staff and experienced crew leaders. Whether participants are swinging a hammer for the first time or returning to the build site, Women Build Week offers a meaningful way to learn new skills while making a tangible difference.

Registration is now open, and individuals are encouraged to sign up early, as space is limited. Participants may register as individuals or with a group.

Dates: February 23-28, 2026
Location: Johns Island
Cost: $50 donation
Build Shifts: Choose a 4-hour shift
• Morning Shift: 8:00 am – 11:30 am
• Afternoon Shift: 12:30 pm- 4:00 pm
To register, click here.

Your donation includes lunch and a T-shirt. Funds raised through registration and sponsorships support materials such as lumber, roofing, drywall, and fixtures, ensuring the project can move forward without financial barriers.

Reminder: TOSI Committee Volunteer Fair December 10

A committee Volunteer Fair will be held at Town Hall on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, from 9:00 to 11:00 am.

This is a chance for community members to come out, learn more about each town committee, and fill out an application form if they would like to volunteer. The chairs for each committee will be in attendance to answer any questions.

Duties for the committees include providing recommendations to the town council on matters related to each committee. Meetings are held once a month for each committee. Listed below are the committees that need volunteers:

Board of Zoning Appeals (five-year term)
Community Facilities and Infrastructure Committee (two-year term)
Discretionary Grants Committee (two-year term)
Environment and Wildlife Committee (two-year term)
Planning Commission (two-year term)
Public Safety Committee (two-year term)

Refreshments will be provided. We look forward to meeting potential volunteers on December 10!

-Submitted by Town of Seabrook Island

TOSI Committee Volunteer Fair December 10

A committee Volunteer Fair will be held at Town Hall on Wednesday, December 10, 2025, from 9:00 am to 11:00 am.

Board of Zoning Appeals (five-year term)
Community Facilities and Infrastructure Committee (two-year term)
Discretionary Grants Committee (two-year term)
Environment and Wildlife Committee (two-year term)
Planning Commission (two-year term)
Public Safety Committee (two-year term)

Refreshments will be provided. We look forward to meeting potential volunteers on December 10!

-Submitted by Town of Seabrook Island

Lowcountry Food Bank Needs Your Help

South Carolina food banks are seeing one of the highest levels of need in nearly a decade. As the government shutdown continues, more families—including federal employees, service members, and contractors—are turning to local food banks for help. Food banks across the state remain committed to serving their communities and ensuring that no neighbor goes without the food they need.

Founded in 1983, Lowcountry Food Bank strives to fulfill its mission to unite our community in pursuit of equitable, dignified, and consistent access to food throughout the 10 coastal counties of South Carolina. The local food bank is at 2864 Azalea Dr, North Charleston, SC.

Together, we can meet this need. Please consider donating or volunteering to support this important cause. Go to lowcountryfoodbank.org for more information.

-Tidelines Editors

Free Tax Prep Program Seeks Local Volunteers

VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) is an IRS program that provides free tax preparation assistance to seniors and low-to moderate-income taxpayers. VITA volunteers help taxpayers receive the credits and deductions they’ve earned.

Volunteers of all backgrounds and ages are welcome and are needed to serve clients in the Charleston area, including Johns and James Islands, with basic tax returns. No prior tax preparation experience is needed, and being comfortable operating a laptop computer is helpful. Tax counselors receive extensive free tax training and will become familiar with IRS/SC tax rules and regulations. The key to providing this service is local volunteers who are willing to help out.

Tax counselors are expected to be available at least four hours one day per week from mid-February through April 2026. The reality is that many people travel, so schedule adjustments can be made. It’s a great way to learn new skills, assist in helping others, and become more involved in your community.

Please consider joining our local volunteer team! Contact the Lowcountry VITA Recruitment Coordinator, Anne Woods, at (602) 785-1836 or email annwoodsaz@gmail.com for more information.

To learn about the VITA Program, click here.

–Tidelines Editors

(Image Credit: IRS VITA Program)

Free Tax Prep Program Seeks Local Volunteers

VITA (Volunteer Income Tax Assistance) is an IRS program that provides free tax preparation assistance to seniors and low- to moderate-income taxpayers. VITA volunteers help taxpayers receive the credits and deductions they’ve earned.

Please consider joining our local volunteer team! Contact the Lowcountry VITA Recruitment Coordinator, Anne Woods, at (602) 785-1836 or email annwoodsaz@gmail.com for more information.

To learn about the VITA Program, click here.

–Tidelines Editors

(Image Credit: IRS VITA Program)

Habitat for Humanity Happenings

Mark your calendars—Sea Island Habitat for Humanity’s signature events are back and better than ever! Join us for our Pickleball Tournament on Saturday, October 4, for a day of friendly competition and community fun on the courts. Then, don’t miss our biggest celebration of the year: the Raise the Roof Auction on Thursday, October 16—an unforgettable evening filled with great food, incredible auction items, and the chance to support affordable housing in a big way.

Registration for both events opens August 1.

Sea Island Habitat for Humanity is a nonprofit organization whose vision is a world where everyone has a decent place to live. Since 1978, we have been working to provide affordable housing solutions for families in need across James, Johns, and Wadmalaw Islands and the surrounding areas. Through volunteer labor and donations of money and materials, we empower families to achieve the dream of homeownership and create a lasting impact in our community by providing a hand-up, not a handout.

Questions? Email us a development@seaislandhabitat.org

-Submitted by Sea Island Habitat for Humanity

(Image credit: seaislandhabitat.org)

Backpack Buddies SI Celebrates Another Successful Year

Backpack Buddies is a nationwide movement that provides supplemental, nutritious food to children who experience hunger on the weekends during the school year when they can’t access school meals. It is designed to bridge the gap for food-insecure children who depend on free or reduced meals during the school week.

Backpack Buddies Seabrook Island (BPBSI), a self-funded 501(c) (3) nonprofit, is run by a dedicated team of 135 volunteers. These volunteers do all the work that is necessary to provide these meals, from purchasing and packing food to delivering it directly to schools. The schools served this year were Mt. Zion Elementary School (115 children), Lambs Elementary School (152 children), and St. John’s High School (110 children).