Neighbors helping neighbors
Friends of Callawassie Island provides financial grants to not-for-profit charitable organizations
Who We Are
Our Mission
Our Mission
Our Mission
Friends of Callawassie Island, otherwise known as FOCI, is a 501 (c) (3) charitable
organization that is managed by a board of Directors. FOCI’s mission is to enrich the
lives of people living in both Beaufort and Jasper counties by providing financial
support to worthy not-for-profit charitable organizations who serve the needs of the
disad
Friends of Callawassie Island, otherwise known as FOCI, is a 501 (c) (3) charitable
organization that is managed by a board of Directors. FOCI’s mission is to enrich the
lives of people living in both Beaufort and Jasper counties by providing financial
support to worthy not-for-profit charitable organizations who serve the needs of the
disadvantaged and/or underserved individuals in their communities. We
concentrate our efforts on organizations that support education, health and human
services, hunger, literacy, housing, and recreation. To receive a Grant from FOCI, the
requesting entity must be a 501 (c) (3) organization that meets our objectives.
Our History
Our Mission
Our Mission
Over 20 years ago a group of Callawassie Island residents, seeking to give back to neighboring communities in a meaningful way, formed Friends of Callawassie Island, Inc. (FOCI). In 2001 FOCI received federal 501 (c) (3) status as the island’s nonprofit philanthropic organization. Since then, under the stewardship of an all-volunteer Boa
Over 20 years ago a group of Callawassie Island residents, seeking to give back to neighboring communities in a meaningful way, formed Friends of Callawassie Island, Inc. (FOCI). In 2001 FOCI received federal 501 (c) (3) status as the island’s nonprofit philanthropic organization. Since then, under the stewardship of an all-volunteer Board of island residents, the mission of FOCI remains unchanged - to enhance the quality of life for those residing in the Lowcountry. To date, FOCI has distributed over $1,000,000 to more than 80 worthy organizations that provide much-needed services to underserved and disadvantaged individuals and families living in local Lowcountry communities.
Our Team
Our Mission
Our Team
Our team is made up of dedicated volunteers who are passionate about making a difference in Beaufort and Jasper Counties. We work tirelessly to ensure that our grants are donated to 501 (c) (3) charities in need. The FOCI Board exercises due diligence in evaluating the request to ensure that the group’s demonstrated need and purpose f
Our team is made up of dedicated volunteers who are passionate about making a difference in Beaufort and Jasper Counties. We work tirelessly to ensure that our grants are donated to 501 (c) (3) charities in need. The FOCI Board exercises due diligence in evaluating the request to ensure that the group’s demonstrated need and purpose for the grant are linked to FOCI’s mission. Typically, FOCI concentrates on the needs of numerous small organizations in underserved communities who depend on contributions to sustain their work and where small-dollar grants can fill an unmet need or fund a specific project that might otherwise fall through the cracks.
A Glimpse of Kindness: Our Achievements in Pictures
Recent grant awards
Outside Foundation
On October 20th, Jeff Funke and Susan Silver met with Dr. Jean Fruh, Executive Director of the Outside Foundation. Established in 2014, The Outside Foundation focuses on outdoor programs that expose 7th graders to the local eco-system in Beaufort County. Kids in Kayaks is their signature program and the grant from FOCI helps to offset the cost of the program for kids who are unable to pay to attend. All 7th grade students in the Beaufort Public School system attend this program. It is a full-day program, with half the day spent on the water kayaking with local guides, and the other half spent attending workshops related to salt marsh ecology. The children learn about phytoplankton, birding and waterfowl. Some have never had the experience to be on the water, much less kayak, use binoculars or look through a microscope; and this program allows the kids to experience these new dimensions and gain a better understanding of the eco-system that surrounds us. Programs are conducted in the Fall at three locations: Shelter Cove, Palmetto Bluff and St. Helena. Approximately 60% of the kids that attend would not be able to do so without grants from organizations such as FOCI. Over 1000 kids will have the opportunity to participate in this unique experience in 2025.
Society of St Vincent de Paul
Jim O’Brien had the opportunity to visit Marilyn Bastardi and Mike Sandford of the Society of St. Vincent de Paul to present them a 2025 Grant and learn how they meet their objective to “build a more just world through relationships and service to people in need.” This charity organization helps with emergency financial assistance regardless of age, sex, race, or religion. Their job is to help people in emergency situations. People learn about them from other non-profit organizations as well as word of mouth.
This organization has no paid employees but operates with 110 volunteers.
To receive financial help, there is a 3-step process for approval. First, they check with other non-profits to make sure that they are not already getting help from them. Then a team of 2 volunteers go to the homesite to access the request…even talking to the children, and if it is for food, they check the refrigerator. If the team finds the request viable, the request is reviewed by the board and a determination is finalized if they qualify for help, or whether they would be better serviced by another non-profit. Someone can only request assistance once per year and must have worked in the past or are employed now. Any amounts approved are paid directly to the vendor, whether it
is a utility, grocery store, rental company, etc. While The Society of St. Vincent de Paul provides most of their help to the needy in Bluffton, they also reach out to Hardeeville and Ridgeland. They are able to help about
60% of those that request it. The overhead expenses are about 1% of their revenues…otherwise everything is used on those in need. Last year they were able to help 609 people. This is a very caring organization devoted to helping those in need.
Love House Learning Academy
On Wednesday, October 8, 2025, Dottie Foote and Tracie Call met with Pastor Theresa A. Roberts, Executive Director and Founder, and Tamika Judge, Finance of Love House Learning Academy, to present a grant to the school.
Love House Learning Academy was founded 16 years ago and supports thirty-five K-8 graders with after-school programs, and mentors middle and high schoolers. The programs are paid 50% by parents, the remaining children are on scholarships, ABC vouchers, andmilitary aid. Programs include reading, phonetics, mathematics, sensory learning, financial literacy and
more. The teaching and programs resulted in the children increasing their test scores by 80%. Typically, a student will increase his or her learning levels in as short a time as eight weeks. 30% of the children have special needs.
Love House partners with Beaufort County Schools for bus services, Low Country Food Bank for daily lunches for students, and Food Share for weekly perishable food boxes for families.
Friends of Caroline
Tracie Call and Dottie Foote conducted a site visit at Friends of Carline in Ridgeland, SC to deliver a grant awarded by FOCI. The purpose of the grant is to assist in the purchase of critical inpatient care equipment including vital signs cars, a bladder scanner, bed alarms and a bed scale system.
We were welcomed by Keriann Ginter, Director of Development who provided us with a tour of the facility. The tour included key areas such as the nurses’ station, a hospice room and the family room.
Friends of Caroline proves compassionate hospice care, palliative care and grief support to patients and family members of patients from Beaufort and Jasper counties. The facility maintains a warm and welcoming environment, designed to support patients and their families during challenging times.
The facility’s mission aligns well with the goals of friends of Callawassie Island and the grant to support the acquisition of medical equipment was deemed a meaningful and worthwhile investment
Bluffton Youth Theater
Doug Pepper from FOCI had the pleasure of meeting with Cynthia Ford,
President of Bluffton Youth Theatre, to present a FOCI Grant. Bluffton YouthTheatre was founded by Cynthia and her husband in their living room in 2015. In subsequent years, they began renting a dedicated building and, using a combination of their retirement funds and outside donations, initiated its renovation into a functioning theater. The organization distinguishes itself from most youth theater groups by fostering an inclusive and supportive community where young performers are encouraged to thrive,regardless of any challenges they may face. Notably, approximately 30% of participants
have special needs. The theatre's mission emphasizes meaningful inclusion rather than mere acceptance, a model that has led to considerable success for all involved. They utilize professional-grade theatrical equipment and consistently deliver high-quality productions that exceed typical school play standards.
Lowcountry Legal Volunteers
Doug Pepper, FOCI Director, met with Ann Caywood, Executive Director of Low Country Legal Volunteers, to present a FOCI Grant. Low Country Legal Volunteers has served Beaufort, Jasper, and Hampton Counties for 25 years and operates independently of government funding.
The organization is dedicated to ensuring legal representation is available regardless of a person's ability to pay. Their services include family law, estate planning, and tenant advocacy. In response to the ongoing housing crisis, they have expanded their offerings to address wrongful evictions and unsafe housing conditions.
Ann Caywood has been with the organization for a decade and has witnessed a substantial increase in demand for their services. In 2024, they assisted over 150 individuals with legal matters, and this year they have already exceeded that figure by 33%.
Low Country Legal Volunteers provides a vital service to our community, and FOCI is proud to support their continued impact.
Help of Beaufort
Jim O’Brien and Doug Pepper met with Lori Opozda, Executive Director of Help of Beaufort, to present their organization with a grant from FOCI. Lori provided a tour of their new facility, which replaces their previous smaller building. The new space accommodates their food pantry and clothing store and operates five days a week. Recipients are screened and may visit a limited number of times each month. Approximately 80% of clients have a monthly income below $1,000. Additional services include financial assistance for basic living expenses such as rent
and utilities, as well as food delivery for homebound clients.
The newly constructed facility, funded entirely through financial donations and supplies, is over 4,000 square feet, and contains a walk-in freezer (again donated funds), increasing food storage capacity and enabling more food donations. The building is also classified as a registered disaster relief agency, one of few in the region. FOCI's donation will support the start-up of a Community-Focused Client Produce Garden at the new facility. This initiative aims to provide fresh produce to clients and offer education in nutrition, cooking, and gardening.
Mirasol Health
On Thursday September 25, 2025, Doug Pepper met with Ryan Pye, Director of Development & Marketing of MiraSol Health to present them with a grant from FOCI. MiraSol’s Mission is to provide comfort for end-of-life patients and their families.
In addition to Hospice Care, they also provide Palliative care for those that are still seeking curative treatment. Mirasol makes sure that everyone receives superior care regardless of the ability to pay.
FOCI’s grant will help support their Senior Care Packet project, which provides older adults in need with essential comfort items. Done during the holidays, these care packets are well thought out and awaited by the facilities and patients. Recipients are not only the clients’ customers but also provided to other less funded facilities residents. Items in the packages include pillows, sheets, blankets, non-slip socks, and activities. MiraSol Health makes this a fun project incorporating many of their employees and vendors in this worthwhile program. FOCI is proud to support such an impactful organization and initiative.
Deep Well Project
Allen Cellar met with Sandy Gillis and delivered the FOCI grant and the certificate. Sandy noted the grant was much appreciated and it would be used to purchase more tools, supplies and help for those families who need a helping hand with their abodes. Currently, she mentioned there are close to 100 families waiting for Deep Well to help them make their homes livable. Sandy is most appreciative of the guys from Callawassie that donate their time and skills. While she did not breakout our group separately, she said to date nearly ninety families have been helped in 2025 and we are ahead of schedule for the year.
Needless to say, over the years FOCI has recognized Deep Well’s contribution to our neighbor’s needs through the funds that are contributed to the cause.
NAMI
On September 23, 2025 NAMI’s Development Director, Mr. Hank Center,
accepted a grant from FOI. As noted in NAMI’s request for funding, the money will be used to support individuals and families impacted by mental illness via recovery programs, education, and advocacy. As our area's population grows, NAMI is expanding their community outreach. Mr. Center encouraged Callawassie residents to consider involvement with support programs. Specifically, volunteer "Family Group Facilitators” are needed who meet the following criteria:
- Have a family member who may struggle with mental health,
- Attend a family group meeting to share experiences
- Complete NAMI Family Group facilitator trainin
As an indication of needed support, in South Carolina, suicide in now the leading cause of death for age 10-35.
Pockets Full of Sunshine
Jim O’Brien visited the Non-Profit Organization Pickets Full of
Sunshine to present RJ and Carol Batholomew with their grant check and certificate at their new location on Hilton Head. The facility has a gift
store, which sells products made by the “Rays” (participants), as well as 3 rooms for different activities, a lunchroom, and an office that can hold small conferences .
The special-needs adult Rays, 18 and older, learn life skills, learn how to create things,and participate in wonderful social and educational activities.
Once or more each week, their optional social program gets them out and active in the community doing things that they may never have gotten to do. These are things like going bowling, or to a movie.They also set up booths
at farmers markets and event places and sell the products that they made at the center.
The FOCI Grant will be used to purchase an interactive Smart Board which will run on a News To You program that they have been using to help organize the Rays and provide more education programs. This is a wonderful, successful, Non-Profit.
Bluffton Self Help
On behalf of Bluffton Self Help, Ms. Carli Anselmi accepted FOCI’s most recent grant from Don Orso representing FOCI's board of directors. The organization provides two types of community support: A large food pantry and an educational wing. The food pantry serves over 600 needy families per month. Educationally, over 300 adults are taught ESL and skills needed to earn a GED.
Overall, over 250 volunteers support the Self Help’s mission.
Throughout my September 16 visit, all staff expressed genuine thanks to FOCI. They were particularly gratified since costs (especially for food) are increasing.
Without question, Self Help a worthy community service for FOCI to support.
Join Us
Help Our Cause
Your support and contributions will enable us to meet our goals and fund our mission. You can donate by a check made payable to FOCI and sent to Friends of Callawassie Island, 176 Callawassie Drive, Okatie, SC 29909.
