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
Lowcountry Legal Volunteers
On October 8th 2024 , Brian Jennings and Jennifer Withrow presented Anne Caywood from Low Country Legal Volunteers with a grantee check for five thousand dollars. This year, Low Country Legal commemorates twenty-five years of services to Beaufort and Jasper County. Relying solely on grants from local communities, such as Callawassie Island, Low Country Legal has donated over 2.75 million dollars in legal services since their inception. Last year, with three full time Solicitors and over twenty volunteers, LLC closed on almost two hundred cases. One of their primary objectives is to connect clients with community outreach agencies. They achieve this by offering office in the same business development they are located in, next to the courthouse.
NAMI Lowcountry SC
On October 14, 2024, Don Orso and Dottie Foote met with Michelle Casey, the NAMI Lowcountry Board of Directors President in Bluffton. Michelle gave an enlightening and informative presentation of NAMI’s mission and purpose regarding mental health programs. Among present goals are increasing the number volunteers supporting clients’ needs.
NAMI Lowcountry is mostly a volunteer run organization relying on community support to keep their mental health programs functioning. At present, 87 volunteers work with NAMI. Groups provide insight into the challenges and successes of others facing similar mental health circumstances. The FOCI grant will provide monetary support for NAMI toward increasing outreach into more areas of the surrounding communities.
Outside Foundation
On October 7, 2024, when Dottie Foote and Allen Cellar met with Dr. Jean Fruh from Outside Foundation. Her group of seventh graders from Beaufort County enjoyed kayaking at Wilson Village in Palmetto Bluff. Outside Foundation exposes 1323 middle school students per year to kayaking, bird watching, water testing and the diversity of ocean life as part of the SC 7thgrade environmental science County curriculum. Susan Dee is the other director along with Dr. Jean Fruh who teaches the students about the creatures that live in the ocean and local tributaries. All participants are from Beaufort County public, private, charter, and home schools. The FOCI grant will cover the program cost for all public-school students whose families cannot afford the entry fee.
Outside Foundation has diversified into oyster shell recycling. Mainly an activity for adults, the two programs do garner 354 hours of volunteer work collecting over 1,347 pounds of liter from twenty-seven areas including beaches, schools and highways.
Outside Foundation receives its operating funds from Callawassie Island, Long Cove, Colleton River, Berkely Hall, Wexford and other Beaufort County communities. They do live and honor their Mission Statement of “we get kids outside and protect and preserve the local environment”.
Bluffton Self Help
On October 9th Jim O’Brien met with Carlie Anselimi, the Development Director of Bluffton Self Help. This is a very impressive non-profit organization! Here, people in need start off by visiting their office called “The Hub” to determine what their needs are. If Bluffton Self Help cannot help them, they make calls to other organizations to see who can. They make sure that people get the help they need.
They now have 20 full-time employees and 360 volunteers. They run a substantial Pantry and a free clothing store, but the FOCI Grant went towards their Learning and Literacy Center. They have multiple programs available, but the largest by far is the English As A Second Language (ESL) program, followed by their GED program. They have 373 students, up almost 100 from last year. The ESL program is full and there are 200 on the waiting list to get in. The instructors are all volunteers (many are retired teachers) but it still costs about $1,200 per student for a full year’s study. The class facilities are fully equipped with monitors, and they have computers available. The students are generally between 30 and 50 years old and they have jobs, but they know that they will average $8,000 more in yearly income if they can speak English as well. They take this seriously, and many have 100% on-time attendance.
The ESL program is 4 years from start to finish. When they graduate from this program, or the GED program, Bluffton Self Help prepares them on how to dress and prepare for job interviews. Interestingly, most teachers do not speak Spanish, but the students still communicate, and they help each other.
Pockets of Sunshine
Susan Silver and Scott Comes met with Carole Bartholomew, one of the original founders of Pockets of Sunshine in 2015. We toured their small, industrial space that they are leaving shortly in favor of a much larger office space that will better accommodate their activities. We got the opportunity to watch about 15 of the “Rays” enthusiastically taking part in the day’s arts and crafts activity of wreath making, including with materials they collected a few days before during their efforts to help with local clean up after the hurricane. The interactive fun and excitement among the Rays and volunteers was truly impressive!
Carol explained the many activities they participate in, including their multitude of fundraising projects (their silk-screening microbusiness was in work when we were there). She also explained all the social events planned for October, which our grant will help support. Those events are open to the full complement of 80 Rays in the program, although the demand for spots is always an issue as they all want to participate in everything that’s going on! This was an exceptionally rewarding visit with a group of dedicated volunteers supporting some very energetic young adults.
Help of Beaufort
Susan Silver and Scott Comes met with Lori Opozda from Help of Beaufort on October 1. We toured their new building, which is nearing completion; they hope to move in the end of this year. The new building is a gigantic improvement over their current location, increasing their floor space from 800 sq ft to over 4500. Much of their construction materials (including all the lumber) and some labor was donated or offered at substantially reduced prices.
We discussed Laurie’s continuing plans for a garden on the large property. The garden would provide fresh vegetables for their food pantry, while also serving as a training area so her clients could learn to build their own gardens. We also talked about their future plans for outfitting the new building, including the need for considerably more food and clothing now that they have the storage space for it.
Special Olympics SC Section 8
On September 23, 2024, Allen Cellar and Jim O’Brien had the pleasure of meeting with Kathy Cramer, Co-Director of the Special Olympics SC Area 8 to present the Certificate and the Grant from the Friends of Callawassie. This year’s grant was to help in the purchase of the trailer to transport Kayaks for the 2 Special Olympic Kayak Clubs. Any extra dollars were to be used for life vests for the athletes. Kathy is very proud of this Special Olympics Chapter that she started 41 years ago. It started with 120 athletes and has grow to 640 this year.
There are 45 people, all adults, in the 2 Kayak Clubs. The athletes must train for the program, not just paddle the kayaks. They are taught stretching exercises and wind down exercises. It is work, but the pay off is tremendous. “All people need something to look forward to and people need to be with people”.
Last year one of these kayakers, Charlotte Lewis, went to Berlin, Germany to compete in the Special Olympics World Games and came back with the Gold Metal. One of the docks at Shelter Cove is named in her honor. Kathy Cramer, and the Special Olympics Athletes greatly appreciate FOCI’s support to their program.
Hospice Care of the Lowcountry
On September 28, 2024, Jim O’Brien met with Ryan Pye, the Development & Fundraising Coordinator of the Hospice Care of the Low Country. This Hospice center not only provides care for those with terminal illnesses, but its Palliative Care also provides grief management and help to those associated with the patient learn how to navigate through the process. Interesting, they have had patients come in for comfort and pain relief in their terminal illness and then recover and leave the center. They call this “Graduating”.
Three years ago, they branched out with their “Good Deed” program. They provided 100 care packages filled with comfortable clothing, sheets, blankets, slip resistant socks, senior safe activities (painting, word puzzles, etc.) and essential toiletries to bring more joy to Senior Citizens in need. It was a blessing to those in care facilities that needed them. Last year they provided 200 of these packages and this year their goal is to provide these to 300 people. This is what the FOCI grant is earmarked for.
Deep Well Project
FOCI's certificate and check were graciously received by Deep Well directors Sandy Gillis and John Wilson. As with previous visits to FOCI supported charities, I was impressed by their organization’s quality, dedication, organization, and community service. Annually, volunteers complete over 100 home habitability projects. Among these projects: fixing damaged roofs, replacing leaking toilets, repairing treacherous porches/steps, and reboarding ruined flooring.
In addition, Deep Well has a large pantry stocked with healthy foods and toiletries. Products are distributed via a system based on client need.
Without question, Deep Well staff and volunteers serve a local population needing support and assistance.
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.