August 4, 2020 • Volume 23, Issue 15 • Complimentary • BlufftonSun.com
WEAR A MASK!
INSIDE • Campbell Chapel begins restoration project with A-Tax grant 16A • Porch sitting, tales of old days, with Annelore Harrell 20A • Travel books offer activities doable in pandemic 26A • Writer suggests we make lemonade 46A • Choral Society marks 45th season with dose of hope 47A
Neighbors in need supplied with essentials via generous donors By Gwyneth J. Saunders CONTRIBUTOR
Large and small, a number of community efforts have flourished since mid-March to feed and support those who lost their jobs because of the pandemic, as well as those who were already struggling with poverty and hard times. Despite the challenges, charitable organizations continued their work from the beginning of the shut-down. “We did not miss one day of work and service to the community,” said Sandy Gillis, executive director of Hilton Head Island’s Deep Well Project, who said the food pantry is still open five days a week. “We had to change a lot of our process-
es. We went from doing face-to-face client intake in offices to over the phone,” Gillis said. “We went from 40 pantry volunteers Monday through Friday down to about 12, so that we could more easily social distance and keep working. In April and May, the phone rang 300 times a day.” Bluffton Self Help dealt with similar issues. “It’s been very different. Safety has been our No. 1 priority for volunteers, staff and, most importantly, the clients,” said executive director Kim Hall. “We evolved the program to a drive-through food distribution and changed from twice a week to once a week drive-through to make sure we could
Please see HELP on page 10A
GWYNETH J. SAUNDERS
Like a well-oiled machine, volunteers from the Live Oak Christian Church, Bluffton Police Department and members of the Bible Missionary Baptist Church wrap corn dogs fresh from the fryer for lunch bags they will deliver Saturdays to neighborhoods around Bluffton.
Town’s hurricane preparedness presentation available online In order for the community to be prepared during hurricane season, which lasts through Nov. 30, the Town of Bluffton’s Emergency Management Division is providing videos on what families can do now, before a storm strikes. In previous years, the Town’s Emergency Management Division provided hurricane
preparedness presentations to the public at the Bluffton Police Department. However, due to social distancing requirements, in-person presentations are not practical this year. Instead, the Town’s Emergency Management team is delivering this information to the public electronically, with presentations
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viewable on home computers, smart phones, and other portable electronic devices. The Emergency Management Team has recorded two classes, one in English and one in Spanish. Information covered in the video presentations are lessons learned from past storms, evacuation routes, procedures during an
evacuation, as well as how to develop a plan for evacuation. To access the videos, visit the Bluffton Police Department’s YouTube page. For those who have questions after watching the videos, email Sgt. Mike Danyov at mdanyov@townofbluffton.com or Sgt. Bonifacio Perez at bperez@townofbluffton.com.