To the Editor:

The Bluffton Area Community Association would like to thank the following businesses and people who were instrumental in making the fourth annual Sam “Bosie” Bennett Sports Clinic a successful event again for over 25 youth, ages 6 to 16, in our community on March 26, held at the Bluffton High Baseball Field.

These youths received fundamental skills in four different sports at this clinic, which we hope inspired them as athletes. We especially want to acknowledge Coach Bryant Kitty and his baseball team for hosting the clinic this year.

Thanks to: Tax Biz and Food Lion; coaches Bryant Kitty, baseball; Brian Arpaia, lacrosse; Josh Fox, soccer; and Clint Van Aswegen, tennis.

We look forward to the continued partnership in the community. Thank you all for your support in empowering our youth through sports!

Sharon Brown

Lenora Grayson

Shirley Kinlaw

BACA board members

To the Editor:

I would like to sincerely thank everyone who made this year’s Jewels and Jeans for the Foundation for Educational Excellence such a huge success.

Because of our generous sponsors and donors, our volunteers and board members, and all of those who attended, the Foundation was once again able to net over $30,000 from the event. These monies will allow the Foundation to continue providing grants to exceptional teachers and schools in Beaufort County for innovative projects not fully funded through traditional channels.

Students and teachers throughout the district will benefit from the Foundation’s grant programs, directly supported by this year’s event.

The Foundation is honored to help support these amazing educators and students through a wide range of grants including: Performing Arts grants, Innovative Teacher and School Resource grants, Student Enrichment grants, and our $1,000 “Above and Beyond” grant to each year’s District Teacher. Since 2009, more than $145,000 in grants has been awarded to Beaufort County teachers and schools by the Foundation.

A special thank you to our 2017 Peggy May Inspiration Award honorees, the Esquivel family; to our live auction donors: Janice Gray, Forsythe Jewelers, Orchid Paulmeier, the Sanibel condominium owners, and Hudson’s; and to Sodexo, the Sea Grass Grille, the Country Club of Hilton Head, auctioneer Sonny Huntley, and Deas Guyz. Your kindness and generosity are so appreciated and will greatly impact the learning of thousands of Beaufort County students.

Jackie Rosswurm, PhD

Chair, Foundation for Education Excellence

To the Editor:

Memory Matters wishes to thank Wells Fargo Bank and Chip Simons, Wells Fargo market president and Memory Matters board member.

The Wells Fargo Bank’s Community Giving Grant provided us funding to offer scholarships for needy participants to enable them to attend. Our two day programs, Compass and Connections, include highly interactive activities in mental and physical stimulation through music, drama, art, yoga, exercise and mind-stimulating games.

A Wells Fargo group of nine Team Members arrived at Memory Matters on Feb. 9 to share a lovely day engaging with our participants. Hats off to the Wells Fargo’s Team Member Volunteering Program. Their Team Members displayed an exemplary culture of care and compassion.

Sheila Strand

Executive Director, Memory Matters