Many times, Town staff and police officers get involved in unfunded projects which fill a need in the community. The annual Christmas Toy Drive and the Lutzie 43 Scholarship Program are two prime examples.
Police officers ask the community for toys each year, and they deliver them to our community’s children during the holiday season. Town staff members also ask the community for sponsorships for the Lutzie 43 Scholarship Program.
The Lutzie 43 Scholarship Program, which is funded by a 5K race, encourages students to adopt safe driving habits and reduce the number of vehicle collisions. The Lutzie 43 Program was a response to the increasing number of tragic incidents in our community. Every time, the Bluffton community generously donates to these programs and the Town leaders and staff are beyond grateful.
Thanks to a partnership with the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry, the Town recently established three charitable funds that now are formal channels to fund additional projects which benefit the community.
The Bluffton Police Department Benevolence Fund will support the department’s mission, program, services and outreach program, including its annual Toy Drive. BPD accepts toy donations each November and December and, through Bluffton Self Help, delivers Christmas toys to children each year. This fund can be used to direct funds to other specific police programs, projects, and services.
The Bluffton Lutzie 43 Scholarship Fund provides annual scholarships to students who are ambassadors of safe driving habits. This scholarship fund is also supported by the Town’s annual Lutzie 43 5K race.
The Town of Bluffton Parks and Public Art Fund supports the development and enhancement of public parks and art.
For more information about any of these funds and how a resident or organization can donate, contact Debbie Szpanka, public information officer, at dszpanka@townofbluffton.com.
The Town is proud to partner with the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry to manage these 501(c)(3) funds. The foundation manages more than 400 charitable funds, with combined assets of $86 million. CFL also manages nearly $88 million in grant and scholarship programs.
CFL is the largest philanthropic resource in the region, serving residents in Beaufort, Colleton, Hampton and Jasper Counties.
Recently, the Town accepted its first donation to these funds.
Bluffton resident Samantha “Sam” Boyd gave $20,000 to the Bluffton Police Department Benevolence Fund, with $10,000 earmarked specifically to better equip Bluffton’s K-9 program and the remaining $10,000 will be used for miscellaneous police programs.
Our hope is these funds will be formal channels for our community’s generosity as together we continually strive to fill our community’s needs.
Lisa Sulka is the mayor of the Town of Bluffton. lsulka@townofbluffton.com
