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
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.
ABLE Foundation
On January 30 Allen Cellar and Scott Comes visited ABLE Foundation where we met with Melina Lee, Bill Krebs and others on her team.
ABLE provides support, job opportunities and learning venues for special needs children and adults, in conjunction with Beaufort County. They have a daily list of 94 clients, some participating in group activities in house with about 60 others working at jobs arranged by ABLE. Those jobs include cleaning, food preparation, and laborers, many at Beaufort County facilities and at the Marine Corps Air Station. ABLE provides transportation to many of the clients, either to/from the ABLE facility or to work.
The FOCI grant donation this year supports the ABLE Heritage Outreach program that enables the clients to visit and experience local activities. The presentation identified the four specific activities the FOCI funding will support this year: Bee City Zoo outing, Gullah cooking class, sweetgrass basket weaving, and a tour of the African American Museum. The ABLE team explained how valuable these activities are, noting that these were often the first time the clients had these experiences despite living in the area their whole life. The ability to get out of their special needs environment and experience more activities is clearly a great benefit. We were both extremely impressed with the professionalism and dedication of everyone involved – clearly a very worthy beneficiary of our funding.
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.
Pregnancy Center and Clinic
On January 2nd, 2025, FOCI members Don Orso and Doug Pepper visited the Pregnancy Center and Clinic of the Low Country to personally follow up on our $4,000 donation. We met with Ellen Sullivan, Executive Director, who gave us a tour of the center and also further explained the vital medical care they provide to underserved and underinsured women residing in Beaufort and Jasper County. Some of these services include pregnancy testing, prenatal care, counseling and educational programs. We are proud to be able to support this worthy organization in their mission to offer compassionate care and support to those in need.
Lowcountry Autism Foundation
On January 7th, 2025, FOCI members Dottie Foote and Doug Pepper visited the Low Country Autism Foundation to personally follow up on FOCI’s $2,500 donation. We met with Sophia Townes, Executive Director and A’Nya Marshburn, Community Program Manager. In addition to a tour of the facility, they both explained the essential programs and services their foundation provides to Autistic children and their families throughout the low country. Presently, 1 in every 36 children are diagnosed with autism. The Low Country Autism Foundation provides services for 3500 children in the lowcountry from Charleston to Hilton Head Island. It was a very insightful and moving visit.
St Stephens Outreach Food Bank
Just before Thanksgiving in 2024, Valerie Allis and Brian Jennings met with Helen Shuler, Executive Director of St. Stephen's Outreach Food Bank, to deliver a significant contribution. This grant represents FOCI’s largest ever donation to St Stephen’s and will help address their near term critical need. Due to the redistribution of food supplies to assist those affected by Hurricane Helene in North and South Carolina, St. Stephen's experienced a reduction in available food supplies. This grant will help ensure they can continue to serve their community during the holiday season and beyond.
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.
