The Apron - Bluffton Self Help Summer ENewsletter (5)

THE APRON

Summer 2018 Bluffton Self Help Newsletter

Inside This Issue

COMMUNITY PARTNERS

CLIENT SPOTLIGHT
VOLUNTEER SPOTLIGHT

2ND ANNUAL RED APRON
SIPS & SEAFOOD PARTY

A Message from Our Board Chair

If you’re fortunate enough to live comfortably in the Lowcountry and
enjoy the coastal beauty, relaxed pace and casual charm of its lifestyle,
you might be surprised to learn that nearly half of your Bluffton
neighbors struggle to earn a livable wage. According to research
conducted by MIT, a family of four requires $54,528 annually to meet the
basic expenses it takes to live in Beaufort County. That’s just a little less
than the median household income of $59,227 meaning nearly half the
families in our community are not earning a livable wage.  

These are neighbors you see and depend on every day. T  hey are our kids' None of this is possible without the
teachers; the security guard who greets us; the nurse at the doctor’s generous support of those of us who
office; and the thousands of hospitality workers who staff the local are fortunate enough to live in this
restaurants and resorts. But behind these friendly, helpful faces is fear. beautiful community. We are all
T  he fear of making financial ends meet and providing for their family is interdependent, relying on each
their daily reality. At Bluffton Self Help it’s important that we provide other and caring about each other.
critical assistance to these families.  Through our Wellness Food Pantry, P  roviding support to our neighbors
neighbors are able to get healthy food that will not only feed their who need us most when they need
families but also help save on grocery bills in order to meet other
essential expenses. When an unexpected illness leaves them short on it most is a big part of Lowcountry
life. O  n behalf of the Board, staff,
their monthly rent and facing eviction, our Financial Assistance and volunteers of Bluffton Self
Help--thank you for your
Program provides the funds to keep them in their home. Through our continued support.
Education and Resource Center, we now offer assistance to find a job,
financial workshops and soft skill training to help build a better quality -Doug Adamson
of life.  
Bluffton Self Help exists in order to help our neighbors in need of food, clothing, educational and financial assistance, and to

provide programs that promote self-worth, dignity and create a pathway to personal success

The Apron  |  Summer  2018 Bluffton Self Help Newsletter

"When it comes to making a
difference in someone’s life I
have to thank Bluffton Self

Help. I appreciate all the
help Bluffton Self Help has

extended to me and my
family. My life is so blessed

with some of the most
amazing people. Thank you
for being part of my journey."

  - Ramon R. 

Neighbor Spotlight  |  Ramon's Story Upcoming Events

Ramon first came to Bluffton Self Help when his wife School Supply Drive 
became sick preventing her from working. Being down Our youngest neighbors will be
to one income things started to become financially tight. returning to school in August.
"After looking into our financial situation carefully and Please help them start the school
analyzing it, we took measures, modified our spending year with the tools they need to
and started a tight budget - doing everything in our thrive by donating supplies at
power to make ends meet," said Ramon. Bluffton Self Help by August 6th .
Ramon worked overtime and weekends to make it work Check our Amazon Wish List;
but still found himself making the hard choice of Search  Bluffton Self Help Back to
purchasing medical equipment and medicines for his School.
wife or paying the light bill. 
"I realized we needed help and that’s when Bluffton Self One Step Shoe Drive
Help stepped in and helped us get the equipment. They
supported us with financial help to pay for medicines August 8th & 15th
and even helped us pay the electric bill. This allowed us In partnership with
to pay for our mortgage, and my wife’s medical Lowcountry Community
deductibles and gave me the time to get back on track. Church , Straight Edge
We are truly grateful to have the services and assistance Barbershop  and Salon 1050e in
of Bluffton Self Help in our town." said Ramon.  August we will distribute more
Many folks in our community are like Ramon, one crisis than 700 pairs of shoes and
away from needing help. Through Bluffton Self Help's offer free haircuts to  school age
Emergency Financial Assistance Program we can children in Beaufort and Jasper
continue to provide critical emergency support to those Counties. 
in need. Last year, BSH supported more than 271 families
with more than $111,000 to keep people in their homes Summer Cool Down
with working utilities. It's because of our wonderful We are collecting new fans of all sizes
community that we can continue to offer this very to keep our elderly and disabled
critical, growing service in Bluffton.  clients cool in this hot summer heat.
Drop one off today!

Bluffton Self Help  |  39 Sheridan Park Circle  |  Bluffton, SC  |  843.757.8000  |  blufftonselfhelp.org

The Apron  |  Summer 2018 Bluffton Self Help Newsletter

Community Partner | Live Oak Christian Church

“…If you have two shirts, give one to the poor.  If you have food,
share it with those who are hungry.”  Luke 3:11 (NLT)

Compassion is part of our DNA at Live Oak Christian Church. Barbers of the
From our beginning, we have been committed to loving people Lowcountry
locally and globally in tangible ways. Our partnership with Inaugural
Bluffton Self Help is one of the ways we demonstrate our Clipper Cup
mission; Love God, Love People, Bring the Two Together. Each Golf
month we try to make a difference by supporting the mission at Tournament
BSH with a financial donation. This money can be used for
education, emergency financial need, or for whatever they deem Benefitting our
necessary. In addition, the second Sunday of every month, we Bluffton neighbors
collect food items for the food pantry. We also help with Back to in need, Saturday
School supplies and Christmas gifts for the kids. Our partnership
is a win-win for both organizations. We stay in contact with the September 22nd
staff at BSH to ensure we are providing what they need.  We are 2018 Crescent
doing what we are called to do and BSH is serving a population Pointe Golf Club
of those truly in need. We hope to continue our partnership for
many years to come or until our donations are no longer needed Email:
(that should be a prayer for all of us!).
info@barbersofthe

lowcountry.com

Volunteer Spotlight | Pete Albero  2018 Postal
Food Drive
In April BSH awarded Pete Albero the Nancy Meyer Volunteer of the
Year award for his commitment to service to our Bluffton community. National Association of
Pete has become one of the many faces and helping hands we count Letter Carriers Stamp
on for our daily operations volunteering every Tuesday and Friday for Out Hunger Food Drive
the past five years."Volunteering at BSH is rewarding because I feel on May 12th  was a huge
that I am making a small difference to help others." said Pete. He success. Thanks  to all the
continued "I'm pleased when someone steps up and I feel it is just as community members
important for one to extend a hand to a neighbor, friend or even a who supported this drive
stranger who may become a friend."   we  received more than
Pete retired and moved to Sun City in 70,000 lbs of canned
2006 and has been married to his wife, goods to support  our 
Sue for  56 years. They have two
daughters, two granddaughters and  community. 
one great-granddaughter. Pete
volunteers throughout the community
at Boys & Girls Club and in Sun City. He
is a smiling face at BSH and we
appreciate all he does.

Bluffton Self Help  |  39 Sheridan Park Circle  |  Bluffton, SC  |  843.757.8000  |  blufftonselfhelp.org

RED APRON
SIPS & SEAFOOD EVENT

Bluffton Self Help is hosting our 2nd GOLD PLATE SPONSORS
annual Red Apron Sips & Seafood Party,
in conjunction with the Historic Bluffton -----------------------------------------
SILVER SAVORY SPONSORS
Arts and Seafood Festival.  PALMETTO ELECTRIC
WELLS FARGO
Enjoy sensational Lowcountry dining by 
Downtown Catering, Sips from Tito's -----------------------------------------
Handmade Vodka and exciting evening MEDIA SPONSOR
entertainment as we raise funds to
support our Bluffton neighbors in need.

Don't miss out, this event will sell out. 

When: Friday, Oct. 19th
6 - 10pm

Where: Waddell Mariculture Center
211 Sawmill Creek

How: T  ickets at sipsandseafood.com or
call  8  43-757-8886

Any guests in addition to the winners staying in the Villa will be charged incrementally to cover housekeeping and other fees by the Villa owner. The Villa sleeps 6. Trip must be completed by October 19th, 2019.
Bluffton Self Help staff, board members, and their immediate family members are not eligible to enter the raffle or win. Prizes have no monetary value and cannot be exchanged for cash. All prizes ·are final. The

date is based on availability. Final arrangements will be coordinated with the staff at Bluffton Self Help in concert with the owners of the Villa. License# R25207490