July 6, 2022 • Volume 25, Issue 13 • Complimentary • BlufftonSun.com
INSIDE • Juneteenth celebration festivities feature food, music 14A • Groundbreaking new preschool set to open in September 18A • 100 Men giving group donate to local nonprofits 22A • Hospital gift shops need volunteers 26A • BSA Troop 245 marks 50th anniversary of being prepared 29A
New town fund to benefit police programs, community projects By Gwyneth J. Saunders CONTRIBUTOR
The generosity of a Bluffton resident provided the impetus for the Bluffton Police Department and the Town of Bluffton to establish a benevolence fund to support a number of programs. Samantha “Sam” Boyd, the donor, has lived in the Bluffton area for 17 years, and through a family foundation recently gave $20,000 to the Bluffton Police Department. “I noticed they acquired a new canine and a few new hires. They certainly did not ask for it, but I knew they needed things like dog food and new equipment, so I was inspired to reach out to them and see if I could give them a grant,” said Boyd. The unexpected and generous offer
generated a mix of reactions from the police department as well as the town. “It was very surprising, very humbling, amazing,” said Bluffton Police Chief Stephenie Price. “Police departments don’t really get treated like this in other areas of the country. Support here is overwhelming sometimes. It makes me wish other officers could experience it.” Because of the rules of her foundation, Boyd can grant funds only to 501(c)(3) nonprofits, something the department did not have in place. “I met with Mayor Lisa Sulka, who was very responsive and a great leader in making this happen, so they got with the Community Foundation of the Lowcoun-
Please see FUND on page 12A
COURTESY TOWN OF BLUFFTON
A donation from Bluffton resident Samantha “Sam” Boyd to the Bluffton Police Department set in motion the creation of a nonprofit benevolence fund, managed by the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry, and the formalization of other funds that the Town supports. Pictured from left are Capt. Scott Chandler, Town Manager Stephen Steese, Mayor Lisa Sulka, Boyd, Officer Kyle Herrick, Capt. Helen Burke and KD Koda.
S.C. 2022 sales tax holiday kicks off on Aug. 5 Computers, clothes, school supplies, and a variety of other items can be purchased free of sales tax during South Carolina’s annual 72-hour Sales Tax Holiday. The 2022 Tax Free Weekend takes place Aug. 5-7. The South Carolina Department of Revenue (SCDOR) reminds shoppers that eligible items can be purchased online and
in-store without paying the state’s 6% Sales Tax and any applicable local taxes during the state’s Tax Free Weekend. “With the increased cost of living, this year’s Sales Tax Holiday is a welcome relief for families. Everyone saves money during a tax-free holiday, particularly on back-toschool essentials,” said SCDOR Director
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Hartley Powell. Tax-free items include computers, printers, school supplies, clothing and accessories, shoes, and certain bed and bath items. These tax-free items can be new or used and are eligible regardless of price. Items that are NOT tax-free during the Sales Tax Holiday include digital cameras,
smartphones, jewelry, cosmetics, eyewear, wallets, watches and furniture. For a detailed list of tax-free items, shopping lists, and FAQs, visit dor.sc.gov/ taxfreeweekend. Last year, South Carolina shoppers bought more than $24.5 million in tax-free items during the Sales Tax Holiday.