VOLUNTEERING MEMORY MATTERS/BC

Distillery August Events

By Channing Heiss CONTRIBUTOR

The Burnt Church Distillery in Bluffton has chosen Memory Matters as its nonprofit to promote during the month of August. Memory Matters, which has served this area for over 25 years, provides memory care programs, education, support, and services for caregivers and individuals living with memory-related conditions.

As part of its culture of philanthropy, which is detailed on its website, the Burnt Church Distillery hosts a nonprofit throughout the month and donates 5 percent of the revenue from its memberships and community events to the chosen organization. Memory Matters will operate a booth at the Distillery on Fridays from 5-8pm and Saturdays from 12-3pm through August. Those interested in volunteering to assist the organization with its activities are asked to contact volunteer coordinator Ginny Underwood.

Joy Nelson, director of marketing and communications at Memory Matters, said the Distillery has been very supportive of the nonprofit. “They have been so sweet to us, letting us do whatever we want and be as creative as we want,” Nelson said. She explains that this month-long invitation is a unique opportunity for Memory Matters to educate the community about the organization specifically and more broadly about brain health.

Memory Matters is working to reduce stigma, increase empathy, and promote self-advocacy with regard to brain health issues. They are doing this through a series of classes they started in 2018 as well as through other community training.

Stressing the importance of augmenting these efforts with community outreach events, Nelson points out that the Distillery is ideally suited to help them accomplish their goals of awareness and education.

“The Distillery and the surrounding area is the ‘in’ place to be in the Bluffton social scene. It’s a great place to gain a wide audience. People bring their kids.” She explains these events provide a unique low-pressure atmosphere with a jovial mood and a greater chance to engage people. “When people are sitting around with friends, they are more receptive and it allows more people the opportunity to become educated and to know about what we do,” she said.

It also makes that learning experience fun. Among the activities available will be Brain Trivia, a game where guests will have a chance to win prizes by answering questions about brain health—perhaps while enjoying the Memory Matters signature cocktail.

“It’s so cool because mixologists are doing the cocktail, “ Nelson said with excitement. As for the ingredients of the secret cocktail, you will likely have to show up at the Distillery in August to find out.

For more information on the month of events at the Burnt Church Distillery, contact:

Memory Matters Hilton Head

117 William Hilton Parkway, Hilton Head

843-842-6688

Web: mymemorymatters.org info@mymemorymatters.org and on Facebook

Channing Heiss is a freelance writer and a member of the Beaufort County Disabilities Coalition