Category: Volunteer

Here We Go With Another Glorious Seabrook Turtle Season

The excitement of the new season is upon us and South Carolina had its first nest on April 29, 2024 in Garden City, south of Myrtle Beach. Photo is courtesy of Garden City Surfside S.C.U.T.E, South Carolina Department of Natural Resources (SCDNR) permit MTP524.

As always we are grateful for the support and interest we receive from everyone on the island. Please feel free to approach anyone you see wearing the bright colors of the Seabrook Island Turtle Patrol. We are happy to connect with you and answer any questions you may have. The number one question we hear every year is what can an ordinary person do to help? Well, since you asked:

  • Report all sick/injured/dead sea turtles and nest disturbances to the SCDNR at 1-800-922-5431 so that staff/volunteers can respond as soon as possible.
  • Respect boating laws and boat cautiously, especially in small tidal creeks where sea turtles like to feed. Boat strikes have emerged as the leading cause of death for sea turtles in South Carolina.
  • Keep artificial lights off the beach at night during nesting season – this includes beachfront property lights and flash photography, which can disorient nesting mothers and hatchlings.
  • Always respect sea turtles by watching from a distance on the beach if you are lucky enough to observe a nesting turtle.
  • Keep our beaches and ocean clean by avoiding single-use plastics. Plastic bags and balloons are among the most common trash items found on South Carolina beaches and can cause injury or death when sea turtles mistake them for food.
  • Feel free to dig holes and build castles in the sand but fill those holes and level the castles before you leave the beach.
  • Carry all chairs, coolers, grills, umbrellas and other beach paraphernalia off the beach when you leave.

Whether you live here year-round or visit in the summer, we all love the beautiful beaches, marshes and habitats that these protected marine animals are utilizing. Sadly, the primary cause of injury and death for sea turtles in South Carolina are boat strikes but you can help these remarkable creatures.

Continue reading “Here We Go With Another Glorious Seabrook Turtle Season”

Angel Oak Preserve Update

There are some exciting updates on the progress of the Angel Oak Preserve!
The team has been working hard, completing comprehensive surveys, analyzing trees, topography, archaeology, and wetlands. These essential steps lay the foundation as we move forward with the project.

On January 12, we marked a significant milestone by hosting an entire design team kickoff meeting at the property. This meeting included an engaging architectural programming and visioning workshop to kick-start the design process for the new Welcome Center. Additionally, an interpretive workshop was conducted to plan the interpretive features of the Preserve and outline the stories that will be shared.

Over the coming year, our design team will diligently work on various phases, including design development, schematic design, interpretive design, and construction documentation and permitting.

To ensure ongoing collaboration and community input, the Angel Oak Steering Committee, Advisory, and Neighborhood Stakeholder Councils will continue to meet quarterly throughout 2024. Additionally, a new interpretive committee will convene monthly to guide the interpretive design process, ensuring that the stories of the Preserve resonate authentically with our community.

We’re grateful for your continued support and enthusiasm as we embark on this journey. Together, we are shaping the future of the Angel Oak Preserve, creating a space that reflects the richness of our cultural and natural heritage.

As we embark on the journey of raising funds for the Preserve, we are excited about the possibilities that lie ahead. If you’d like to contribute to our current programming efforts, we would be grateful for your support.

Stay tuned for more updates, and thank you for being an integral part of the Angel Oak Preserve family!

Angel Oak in the news: Check out this Garden and Gun article that beautifully highlights the cultural history of the Angel Oak!

Community clean-ups: Join us for an upcoming cleanup at the Preserve. Please register in advance.

March 13, 2024: 10 am -12 pm

To learn more about Angel Oak Preserve, you can read a previous Tidelines article by clicking here.

-Submitted by Samantha Siegel, Angel Oak Preserve Director, Lowcountry Land Trust

(Photo credit: Nelson Byrd Woltz Landscape Architects)

SI Dolphin Education Program

The Seabrook Island Dolphin Education Program is a field-based program designed to engage and educate beachgoers while reducing human disturbances to the local dolphin population. Under contract with the Town of Seabrook Island, the program is managed by the Lowcountry Marine Mammal Network under the direction of Lauren Rust and relies on the support of citizen volunteers. Educators are present at Captain Sams Inlet each day during the peak tourist season to interact with beachgoers and collect valuable data about strand-feeding activities. Many Seabrookers volunteer in this program at North Beach near Captain Sams Spit greeting beachgoers with a smile to share important information about how each one of us can help protect our local dolphin population (Jaws, Koko, Hook, and High Scoops, to name a few).

The Dolphin Education Program will hold two introductory meetings at the Seabrook Island Community Center (2241 Oyster Catcher Court) in March. Kiawah and Seabrook residents will have the opportunity to learn more and ask questions about the volunteer program. See dates below:

Sunday, March 10 from 1:30 p.m. – 2:30 p.m., followed by a walk to the spit

Thursday, March 14 from 5 p.m. – 6 p.m., followed by a walk to the spit

The walks are optional but will provide attendees with a better understanding of what the volunteers do. Attending the meetings above does not commit you to being a volunteer. 

​​Email Lauren Rust at kiawahdolphineducation@gmail.com to RSVP.

–Tidelines Editors

OLM: How You Can Help

Our Lady of Mercy Community Outreach builds equitable communities while empowering individuals to reach their full potential by providing basic and emergency needs, education, employment and health services.

Your help is needed and here is how:

  • Volunteer at the “Yes, I Can!” after school program which occurs from 3:30-5:30 pm,  Monday – Thursday. Individuals can volunteer once a week or more often depending on your schedule. 
  • Dentists – We are looking for active or retired dentists to help with their amazing dental program. 

Immediate clothing needs for the beautifully kept clothes closet:

  • Towels
  • Sheet sets
  • Blankets
  • Shoes 

Food Items for the well managed food pantry:

  • Food, juices 
  • Snack items 

Hygiene Items are always needed:

  • Shampoo / conditioner
  • Razors
  • Feminine hygiene items
  • Body wash / lotions

If you wish to volunteer or would like additional information, please contact Destiny Draggett at destiny.draggett@olmoutreach.org or visit the website by clicking here.

-Submitted by Our Lady of Mercy Community Outreach

SIHAF Hunger Awareness Challenge – Thank You!

The Sea Islands Hunger Awareness Foundation (SIHAF) is delighted to announce that our generous donors have met our $200,000 Matching Challenge and have once again surpassed the goal with a grand total of $290,350.00! This includes all contributions, October 1 through December 31, 2023, to the Foundation in support of its fourteen (14) programs and partners.

We appreciate all who gave with your heart and contributed to meet and surpass the 2023-24 SIHAF Hunger Awareness Challenge, making it possible for us to provide healthy food one meal at a time and clean water. It means so much to so many!

It means that:

  • We can grant more funds to our local programs and partner organizations that serve our more than 2,500 neighbors on Johns and Wadmalaw. We can fight hunger by providing meals, groceries, and special programs to those families in need.
  • We can provide microwave ovens, stoves, and refrigerators to those who do not have one so that they can cook and store the food.
  • SIHAF’s Water Wellness Mission can provide water wells to the homes of those who lack clean water and assure that those wells and filtration systems will be maintained.
  • SIHAF’s all-volunteer team can continue to serve our neighbors efficiently and effectively. As reported by the South Carolina Secretary of State, 98.8% of all donations to SIHAF go directly to its mission of feeding the hungry and providing clean water to those in need.

Our sincere thanks to all our loyal donors who continue their generous support of SIHAF, its programs and partners throughout the year through planned or annual giving, grants and other gifts.

For more information about SIHAF as well how to donate, go to our website, fightislandhunger.org.

-Submitted by Sea Islands Hunger Awareness Foundation

SIPOA is Looking for Committee Volunteers

SIPOA is Looking for Committee Volunteers

If you are interested in serving on a Seabrook Island Property Owners Association (SIPOA) committee in 2024, here is your chance to do so. Our SIPOA website has a description of all the SIPOA committees and approximate time commitments for each here. There is also a 2024 Committee Volunteer form you can submit electronically here. You may also find the information by going to sipoa.org and selecting 2024 Annual Meeting on the homepage.

Remember, if you currently serve on a committee, you must submit a new form for 2024.

Thank you!

-Submitted by Seabrook Island Property Owners Association

TOSI: Volunteers for Special Committees Needed

Town of Seabrook Island is seeking volunteers
for three new special committees.

During a special called meeting on January 4, 2024, Seabrook Island Town Council voted to establish three (3) new special committees:

  • Special Committee on ARPA Expenditures: The purpose of the Special Committee on ARPA Expenditures is to review the requirements of the Coronavirus State and Local Fiscal Recovery Funds (SLFRF) program, as authorized by the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 (ARPA), in order to identify, evaluate, and prioritize projects suitable for utilization by the town under and in accordance with its ARPA grant. The committee shall make its recommendations to Town Council no later than April 30, 2024. The Mayor will serve, ex officio, as chair of the committee. The remaining members will be nominated by the Mayor and appointed by a majority vote of Town Council. The remaining members will be drawn from a variety of professional backgrounds deemed appropriate by Town Council to the stated purpose of the committee. All members must be registered voters of the town. Unless extended by subsequent resolution of Town Council, all members will serve for a fixed term expiring on April 30, 2024.
  • Special Committee on Finance: The purpose of the Special Committee on Finance is to review and provide recommendations on any finance and budget-related matters which may be referred to the committee by the Mayor and/or Town Council. One member of Town Council will be appointed by the Mayor to serve as chair of the committee. The remaining members will be nominated by the Mayor and appointed by a majority vote of Town Council. The remaining members will be drawn from a diverse group of professional backgrounds and interests, and preference may be given to those with a professional background in accounting, banking, budgeting, finance, law, management, and related fields. Unless extended by subsequent resolution of Town Council, all members will serve for a fixed term expiring on December 31, 2024.
  • Special Committee on Short-Term Rentals: ​The purpose of the Special Committee on Short-Term Rentals is to bring together stakeholders from a variety of interests to study short-term rental activities and trends within the town and to recommend, no later than June 30, 2024, a comprehensive set of policy proposals that address a range of issues including, but not limited to: limiting the number of short-term rental units operating within the town; limiting the ownership of multiple short-term rental units within the town; the imposition of fair and reasonable fees and taxes related to short-term rental units; fair, reasonable, and enforceable rules to protect the life and safety of short-term rental unit occupants; and fair, reasonable, and enforceable rules to protect the life, safety, and quiet enjoyment of neighboring property owners and the community at large. One member of Town Council will be appointed by the Mayor to serve as chair of the committee. The remaining members will be nominated by the Mayor and appointed by a majority vote of Town Council. The remaining members will be drawn from a diverse group of interests including, but not limited to: owner(s) and/or manager(s) of duly permitted short-term rental units operating within the town; full-time resident(s) and/or property owner(s) of the town who do not own or manage a short-term rental unit within the town; licensed real estate agent(s) and/or broker(s) licensed to operate within the town; and such other interests or professions deemed appropriate by Town Council. Unless extended by subsequent resolution of Town Council, all members will serve for a fixed term expiring on June 30, 2024.

Each special committee will have a minimum of five (5) and a maximum of nine (9) members and will meet on such dates and times as are scheduled by the chair or a majority of the committee’s membership. All meetings will be held at Seabrook Island Town Hall, unless otherwise advertised, and will be open to the public.

Interested in Serving?

Individuals who are interested in serving on a special committee (or any other town board, commission or committee) are encouraged to complete an online Volunteer Application Form as soon as possible.

Town Council is scheduled to make committee appointments during its next regular meeting on Tuesday, January 23, 2024, so preference will be given to applications which are received by 12:00 pm on Friday, January 21, 2024.

For more information, please contact Town Hall by phone at (843) 768-9121 or by email at info@townofseabrookisland.org.

-Submitted by Town of Seabrook Island

Holiday Canned Food Drive Ends Friday, Dec 8

8th Annual SIPOA

Holiday Canned Food Drive

November 1 – December 8, 2023

Goal – 5,000 pounds

Seabrookers contributed  5,910 pounds of food items last year!

One way to make our own holiday celebrations even more meaningful is to help our neighbors in need on Johns and Wadmalaw Islands. When you go grocery shopping, please consider purchasing a couple of extra cans of food, or even better, multi-packs of canned food items, for distribution to the clients of the Sea Islands Hunger Awareness Foundation (SIHAF). Protein items like hearty or chunky soups, stews, chili, corned beef hash, tuna, and canned chicken, as well as canned vegetables and fruit, are especially appreciated. No glass or out-of-date items, please.

Donations and contributions can be delivered to The Lake House lobby beginning November 1. Place your items in the bin under the new donations sign behind the column. All donations will be weighed before they are picked up.

Grocery bags with handles are still very much needed and can be dropped off along with your food donations.

Together, we can fight hunger, one meal at a time!

-Submitted by SIPOA

Holiday Canned Food Drive at The Lake House

8th Annual SIPOA

Holiday Canned Food Drive

November 1 – December 8, 2023

Goal – 5,000 pounds

Seabrookers contributed  5,910 pounds of food items last year!

One way to make our own holiday celebrations even more meaningful is to help our neighbors in need on Johns and Wadmalaw Islands. When you go grocery shopping, please consider purchasing a couple of extra cans of food, or even better, multi-packs of canned food items, for distribution to the clients of the Sea Islands Hunger Awareness Foundation (SIHAF). Protein items like hearty or chunky soups, stews, chili, corned beef hash, tuna, and canned chicken, as well as canned vegetables and fruit, are especially appreciated. No glass or out-of-date items, please.

Donations and contributions can be delivered to The Lake House lobby beginning November 1. Place your items in the bin under the new donations sign behind the column. All donations will be weighed before they are picked up.

Grocery bags with handles are still very much needed and can be dropped off along with your food donations.

Together, we can fight hunger, one meal at a time!

-Submitted by SIPOA