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
Brillo de Mujer Home
Susan Silver and Valerie Allis had the pleasure of meeting with Lindsey Clark and Liz Duncan, President and Vice President of Brillo de Mujer Home, to present a grant check supporting their important mission which is to establish a home that will provide a safe and secure environment for women and children escaping domestic violence. Lindsey’s husband is the pastor of Creative Church of Hardeeville, and they are a strong supporter and partner of Brillo de Mujer.
Once renovated, the facility will house 6–10 individuals or families and will be supported by a group of dedicated volunteers. They currently have approximately 15 volunteers and will be seeking additional volunteers to assist with their mission. Renovation plans are officially in place, including bylaws, and the church already operates a food pantry and clothing closet. With a renovation budget of approximately $500,000, the project is expected to be completed within 3–6 months. Support is growing, with corporate sponsors, local vendors donating their time and materials, and most recently, salvaged materials have been donated from a demolished home helping to offset costs.
Brillo de Mujer Home is committed to providing a safe, supportive, and empowering space for survivors and their families. Once survivors have left their abusive situations, they will be welcomed into an environment of healing and growth, with access to emergency services, legal and financial assistance, low-cost housing and childcare support, counseling, self-defense classes, and more.
Med-I-Assist
On April 30th, Doug Pepper and Susan Silver met with George Bush, Executive Director for Medi-I-Assist Ridgeland and Medi-I-Assist Mr. Carmel. Tracie Call and Jim O’Brien met with Grayson Solomon, Program Director for Medi-I-Assist Bluffton on May 13th. In total, there are 5 Medi-I-Assist Programs and FOCI provides grants to the 3 mentioned above. All are similar programs, but somewhat different in the services provided. Each entity operates independently, raising funds for their distinct programs.
The grants that FOCI awards to the Medi-I-Assist Programs are used for eye care assistance to support individuals who are uninsured, unemployed, underinsured, or without financial resources to afford necessary eye care such as exams and glasses. All recipients are vetted for their eligibility to qualify for service by submitting proof of residency and an annual income below 250% of the federal poverty level for Bluffton and 300% for Ridgeland and Mt. Carmel. Eligible clients can receive services once every two years.
All Medi-I-Assist programs operate exclusively with volunteers. There are no paid employees.
Both George and Grayson expressed their thanks to FOCI on behalf of the clients they are able to support due to our generosity. Thank you, Callawassie Island, for making eye care possible for those that would otherwise not be able to afford such a necessity!
Reading Discovery Program
On April 23, 2025, Allen Cellar and Doug Pepper visited the Broad River Elementary School where we met with Dr. Nancy Lynch, Director of the Reading Discovery Program, and were privileged to experience this program in action. The Reading Discovery Program is a completely volunteer organization with no paid employees that is entirely dedicated to early childhood literacy.
During our visit to the Broad River Elementary School, we witnessed volunteers engaging 18 Pre-K students in one-on-one reading sessions. This weekly program is designed to prepare young learners for entry into first grade and beyond by fostering essential literacy skills and nurturing a love for reading. Nancy provided insights into the program’s structure and objectives, emphasizing the importance of personalized attention in early childhood education.
We also learned that the Reading Discovery program operates in five schools throughout Beaufort County, reaching more students and ensuring consistency in literacy development across different communities. The dedication of the volunteers and the excitement of the children were a testament to the program's success and impact.
The visit not only highlighted the effectiveness of the Reading Discovery program but also provided an opportunity to discuss how such initiatives contribute to long-term academic achievement and student growth. We also had the privilege of meeting Jamie Allen, principal of the Broad River Elementary School who also highly praised the success of this program.
It should also be noted that that most of the Reading Discovery Program volunteers at this school are from Callawassie Island and in total 45 Callawassie Island residents participate in the Reading Discovery Program. In fact, Dr. Nancy Lynch lives on our Island.
Allen and Doug were both very moved by this program and honored that FOCI supports such a worthwhile program.
Programs for Exceptional People
On May 14, 2025, Valerie Allis and Tracie Call met with Nancy Sulek, Executive Director, at the Program for Exceptional People (PEP). For over 30 years, PEP has served individuals with developmental and intellectual disabilities.
Seven PEP employees support the members, a 1:7 staff-to-member ratio. PEP is licensed by the South Carolina Department of Disabilities and Special Needs (DDSN) and operates with an annual budget of $1.4 million. Approximately 70% of members’ costs are paid by Medicaid. Private-paying members contribute $75 per day.
PEP offers a robust range of educational and developmental opportunities designed to enhance self-confidence, social interaction, build independence, foster social connections, and prepare members for community involvement and employment. Each member benefits from an Individual Education Plan (IEP) tailored to their specific goals.
Members participate in diverse classes and activities that promote responsibility and teamwork: STEM, life-building and community skills, music, cooking classes and gardening programs. Additionally, members can work in paid positions making ceramics, and sorting clothes for Goodwill
Adaptive Golf Experience
Don Orso and Dottie Foote attended an Adaptive Golf Experience (AGE) clinic for physically disabled golfers held at the Legends Golf Course at Parris Island in Beaufort SC. Adaptive Golf is a charitable organization helping those with physical disabilities to supplement their abilities through the therapeutic activity of golf.
Steve Giammona, PT and Director of Adaptive Golf, made several announcements, noting forthcoming clinics, regional golf tournaments for the participants with one to hopefully be held at Callawassie this fall.
Adaptive Golf volunteers were proud to demonstrate three different types of golf carts, allowing the golfers a means of navigating a golf course, driving to fairways and greens as well as raising from the cart facilitating ability to swing, chip, and putt.
The clinics offer a unique experience for disabled civilians and veterans in the lowcountry at no cost to the participants. Numerous program expenses such as equipment and transportation of the equipment to various golf courses are a constant challenge for ACE. The grant provided by FOCI will support demo day clinics as well as a new trailer to be used for storage and transportation of adaptive carts and equipment. Clearly, Adaptive Golf Experience is clearly a worthwhile FOCI charity.
Bluffton-Jasper Volunteers in Medicine
Jeff Funke and Jim O’Brien met with Andrew Kriner, Director of Development and PamToney, the Executive Director of Bluffton-Jasper Volunteers in Medicine at their Clinic in Bluffton. The Clinic was clean, organized and professional. They gave us a complete tour that included 6 exam rooms, the pharmacy and the additional office areas. They offer services to clients in 16 different medical services, which now include Dental and
Podiatry. The Grant provided by FOCI is to help with their new Podiatry program. They were very grateful. The Ridgeland facility is similar in size and also has 6 exam rooms for patients.
The organization opened in 2011. They currently have 1 full-time employee, 10 part-time, 85 volunteers and a host of Doctors and Nurses that volunteer their time and skills. They only serve individuals that do not have insurance and have income levels no higher than 250% of the poverty level. (Currently it’s $14,000) Last year 2,047 individuals were severed in a total of 7,457 patient visits. The average cost to the Clinic is $150, but the patients get the services, including medicine, free. While many individual patients do donate to the Clinic themselves, most of the funding comes from Grants, State Funds, Churches, Businesses, Associations and Fund-Raising Events. They take pride in the fact that they provide $7.70 in services for every dollar donated. Their big concern is that funding from the State will be cut, or eliminated, due to Federal cuts. This is an amazing organization that provides health
options to those in need.
Friends of Shanklin
On the afternoon of May 5, 2025, Doug Pepper and Dottie Foote were welcomed by Liz Rivera, principal of the Joseph S. Shanklin School, along with Chris Benson from Friends of Shanklin. While the school is set in an academic campus like setting in rural Beaufort, its enrollment includes students who are approximately 43% Hispanic and 43% African American.
After a tour of the campus, we talked about the progress the students are making through their "Experience Fund". The Experience Fund provides students the opportunity to take field trips to places such as the Gibbs Museum of Art in Charleston, the state legislature, a working farm, theater and orchestra performances, as well as many others. Goals of the program are to align the field trip experiences with the social studies curriculum as well to broaden the horizons of the students beyond their daily experiences.
Doug and Dottie agreed that the Friends of Callawassie grant is worthwhile and is very much appreciated by its recipients.
Polaris Tech Charter School
On January 29, 2025, Brian Jennings and Dottie Foote visited with Kim Statler, the executive director and Sandra Chavez, one of the board of directors of the Polaris Tech Charter School in Ridgeland, SC. Both Kim and Sandra (who resides in Callawassie) were both on the founding committee of this innovative educational institution, which as of 2023, became a K through 12 school by adding on the elementary grades.
The excitement that Kim and Sandra displayed while giving us a tour of this most beautiful school was contagious, making both Brian and Dottie realize the grant that was recently awarded, extremely worthwhile. The Population at Polaris Tech is diverse with 45% from the African American Community, 40% Latino, and the remaining 15% Caucasian. It is a Title 1 school with 82% of the population identified as living in poverty. The curriculum is designed to bridge innovation with learning by making it relevant to the individual learners’ needs.
The most recent grant will assist Polaris Tech with the implementation of an after-school program which will provide targeted teaching intervention for math and reading to the lowest performing 25% of students for one hour four days a week.
St Francis Center
In December, 2024 FOCI awarded St. Francis Center a grant to support their food programs. Doug Pepper and Jeff Funke visited the St. Francis center to learn more about their services and interaction with the community. The hosts were the leaders of the Center: Sister Canice Adams and Sister Marcine Klocko. Our Q&A with the Sisters was delightful, as they intertwined colorful stories and a wonderful sense of humor. Interestingly, both are former educators in Columbia and Charleston, with Sr Adams being a founding principal of St. Gregory The Great Catholic School in Bluffton.
St Francis center is a well maintained complex of several buildings and developed ground situated at the end of a dead end road along the inter-coastal waterway on St. Helena Island. The main building includes an office, kitchen, common area for food pickup, a prayer / quiet room, a small gathering room, and several storage rooms. An adjacent building serves as the Thrift Shop, which was stocked with household goods, clothing, and furniture - all well organized, labeled, and in excellent condition. Two additional out-buildings are used for thrift shop storage.
The Center provides services to clients over the age of 60 and who demonstrate need through an interview and registration process. Some years ago, the decision was made to discontinue allowing younger adults into the Center. Sensing that they were being taken advantage of, The Sisters told the younger cohorts to "pick up the yellow pages and find a job!”
Hopeful Horizons
On January 7, 2025 Valerie Allis and Jim O’Brien visited the Hopeful Horizons organization in Beaufort. Julia Haddick, the chief development officer met with us and shared the purpose and information details of what this organization has been able to accomplish. The FOCI Grant was for legal and mediation fees. They used these funds, as well as many other donations, to provide help to over 1,400 survivors of Domestic Violence, Child Abuse and Sexual Assault. They average 2 crisis calls per day and 68% of their clients are listed as being 18 or younger in age. They also have a shelter program for the abused to get out of their circumstance and stay until they can get other accommodations. They provided shelter for over 150 women and children in the past year. They also provide transitional housing help to move those abused into their own home. Besides funds they are always looking for used furniture for this effort, as well as any legal time donations they can get. This organization does get a lot of support from the community and provides a true crisis benefit to those in need.
AGAPE
Agape Family Life Center is a remarkable nonprofit organization dedicated to enhancing the health and welfare of underserved communities in Jasper county. Their impactful work goes beyond meeting basic needs by providing nutritious meals and clothing to families in need. They empower the community through after-school programs, homework assistance (improving test scores), and creative learning techniques with access to a computer center and a welcoming reading nook. They even provide mentoring, life skills training and GED classes. Agape Family Life Center is a beacon of hope, fostering education and personal growth for a brighter future for all those they serve.
Good Neighbor Free Clinic
Jim O’Brien and Scott Comes visited Good Neighbor Medical Clinic on Jan 9. We met with the Executive Director, Gloria Duryea, who gave us a thorough, passionate tour of the facility. The 100 volunteers at the clinic, including doctors, nurses, and admin take care of upwards of 700 patients, all of whom have no insurance. The care includes serving as the patients’ primary care provider, as well as the link to connect the patients to a network of 30 partners to provide specialty care as needed. As others who have visited the facility have found, this is a top-notch resource for those who need it – a truly valuable asset to the health care in the area.
The FOCI grant supports the upgrade of laptops in all the examination rooms. Based on the comments from Ms. Duryea and the various other volunteers we met, the computer upgrade is desperately needed, so our grant is timely and greatly appreciated.
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.
