The excitement of the children as Christmas gets closer is contagious - we love to enter into the magic with them! We thank you for each and every gift that you have shared with us, especially the gift of volunteer hours. Our list of blessings is a testimony to the resilience of our community, year in and year out. You are each a part of that strength of spirit.
Because we are privileged to interact daily with Bluffton children and teens, we can witness to you that there is a GREAT future ahead of them. The year 2022 will be full of positive achievements for our young people, thanks to you!
Wishing you and yours a very merry Christmas and a Happy New Year, Molly O. Hornbeak, Director
Special thank you to the Operation Colleton River BGC Committee for sponsoring the Teen Christmas Party!
Great News
Miss South Carolina Send-off Tea Party
Members of the Boys & Girls Club of Bluffton were invited to a sendoff tea party at the South Carolina Yacht Club on November 21 in honor of Bluffton native Julia Herrin, Miss South Carolina. Miss Herrin will be competing in the Miss America pageant December 16. Her encouragement to young women to be #RealNotPerfect was inspiring and timely. Thank you so much, Miss South Carolina! Good luck!
Meet a Club Member: Jacob, age 7 "One of my favorite things is coming to the Club to hang out with my friends and I especially love the game room."
Thanksgiving Turkey Delivery! Explorers' L.E.A.D. Oscar Frazier, Jr. organizes a turkey give-away every year with the assistance of the Bluffton High School football team. Fifty-five families were so grateful to receive a turkey!
Showcasing Teen Activities
Recruiting for the Class of 2022 Explorers' L.E.A.D. program begins now - please connect with young adults who may be interested in this leadership and character development opportunity.
This program is a partnership with the Bluffton Police Department. Below, Chief of Police Stephenie Price leads a Q & A session on leadership, ethics and careers in law enforcement for cadets in 2021.
Call Pamela Castle, Teen Director, for more information at 843-757-2845.
Interested volunteers -- especially military volunteers -- are encouraged to call Lynda Halpern, our new volunteer coordinator, at the same number.
iVolunteer helps connect teens with volunteer opportunities in the community to achieve community service hours for an enhanced diploma.
Community Outreach
COVID-19 Drive-Through Vaccination Clinic Over 60 cars drove through the vaccination clinic at the Boys & Girls Club of Bluffton on November 6, 2021.
Thank you to the Hilton Head MLK Committee for Justice for providing volunteer support and to the Beaufort/Jasper/Hampton Comprehensive Health Services for providing this service to our community.
Congratulations to Chris Protz on his Retirement
after 47 years of Service to the Boys & Girls Clubs!
As the leader of the Boys & Girls Clubs of the Lowcountry for the past decade,
he created a sustainable future for our Clubs and
touched the lives of thousands of young people.
BGCA President Jim Clark travelled to Bluffton to honor Chris Protz
at his retirement party at Belfair on December 1.
Thank you Chick-Fil-A!
for providing a delicious snack for our members on November 23! There was great excitement when everyone heard who was bringing in a special meal!
The Berkeley Hall Charitable Foundation also is providing scholarship funding for Club members referred to us through our partnership with Family Promise of Beaufort County, an agency serving homeless families. We are so grateful!
Alumni Spotlight:
Dr. Tibra Wheeler recently graduated from Cornell University after defending her doctoral dissertation. - we are so proud of the accomplishments of this alumni member of the Boys & Girls Club of Bluffton!
Recruiting for the Class of 2022 Explorers' L.E.A.D. program begins now - please connect with young adults who may be interested in this leadership and character development opportunity.
