Category: Volunteer

Discontinue Grocery Bag Collection

The Sea Islands Hunger Awareness Foundation is very grateful to the Seabrook Island community and to The Lake House staff for collecting and organizing the Harris Teeter bags used for the past several years to distribute food to the clients of the Blessing Basket. It is estimated that close to 20,000 bags have been contributed, which have been filled with groceries, fresh produce, meat, eggs and other items to benefit our neighbors on Johns and Wadmalaw Islands.  

Harris Teeter recently changed the size of its bags and, unfortunately, the new bags are not sufficient for our food distributions. Therefore, we are discontinuing the bag collection process, effective immediately. We do have an inventory of bags that will last through May of 2025 and alternate arrangements are being made to secure the bags needed for subsequent distributions. 

Thank you very much for your support in the past and we hope you will continue to support SIHAF and the Blessing Basket in other ways, through volunteering and donations, as the need and our work continues.

-Submitted by the Sea Islands Hunger Awareness Foundation

Dining for a Cause: Third Serve Foundation

Third Serve Foundation has partnered with 48 Wine Bar for a Dining for a Cause event on Tuesday, September 10 anytime between 5:00 – 9:00 pm.

Third Serve Foundation will receive 50% of food revenues generated that evening so let’s pack the restaurant with Seabrookers. Seabrook Island is the host to Haut Gap Middle School Students twice weekly during the school year.

For more information, go to thirdservefoundation.com .

-Submitted by Lucy Walton, Third Serve Foundation

Building Homes, Honoring Heroes

9/11 Day of Service & Remembrance

Join Sea Island Habitat for Humanity for a meaningful day of service and community on Wednesday, September 11, 2024. This special build event honors first-responders and those that have served our country or are currently serving while bringing together a community of support. Whether you served, are currently serving, or just want to support those that served, sign up for this special build event.

When: Wednesday, September 11, 2024
Volunteer Shifts: Morning (8:00- 12:00), Afternoon (12:00-4:00) or Full Day
Location: 3370 Habitat Blvd., Johns Island

All volunteers will receive a Sea Island Habitat for Humanity shirt and lunch. There will be a program during the lunch hour to honor our heroes. There is no cost to volunteer, but spots are limited.

Sign up on our volunteer site.

Continue reading “Building Homes, Honoring Heroes”

Volunteers Needed For CATR

Charleston Area Therapeutic Riding (CATR) on River Road is offering volunteer orientation and training. The training sessions will take place in advance of CATR’s fall session, which begins mid-September.

The three-hour class at CATR’s 43-acre farm just ten minutes from Seabrook will take place twice. The first training class for volunteers is scheduled for Saturday, August 24, 2024 from 9:00 am to 12:00 noon. A second class will be held on Tuesday, August 27, 2024 from 5:00-7:00 pm.

No prior experience with horses is required. Volunteers help with both mounted and unmounted classes serving adults and children with physical, developmental, or emotional challenges. CATR, in operation for more than thirty years, is one of the Charleston area’s oldest non-profit service organizations. For more information and to enroll, email volunteers@catr-program.org.

-Submitted by Norm Powers for CATR

(Image credit: CATR)

Adopt-a-Highway June 15

Saturday, June 15, 2024
9:00 to 11:00 am

Bring gloves, sunscreen, bug spray, sturdy shoes and enthusiasm!
Vests, sticks and litter bags will be provided.
Children under 18 permitted if accompanied by a participating adult.

Meet Mary Gwyn at The Lake House at 9:00 am
for a beautiful two-hour stroll
with a pick-up stick and litter bags.

RSVP to Mary Gwyn at mkginmd@verizon.net 
and for more information.

-Submitted by SIPOA

Volunteer for TOSI Public Safety Committee

Are you interested in serving on a Seabrook Island town board, commission, or committee? The Mayor and Council are currently soliciting applications from citizen volunteers for appointment to the Public Safety Committee. They are looking to fill one seat.

Applications are being accepted through the end of May. They will be appointed at the Town Council meeting on June 25. To learn more, click here.

-Submitted by Abby Grooms, Commication & Events Manager, Town of Seabrook Island

Volunteerism Fair at The Lake House May 13

Get the Scoop – Volunteerism Fair

Tuesday, May 13, 2024
4:00 – 5:30 pm
The Lake House, Live Oak Hall

Are you interested in volunteering? SIPOA is hosting a Volunteerism Fair on Monday, May 13 from 4:00 – 5:30 pm in Live Oak Hall at The Lake House.

Many organizations outside of Seabrook Island are in need of volunteers. This fair is a great opportunity to learn where your time and talents are needed and can be put to meaningful use.

Hosts from the charitable organizations will be on hand to provide information about their causes.

We hope to see you there!

-Submitted by The Lake House

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