Hilton Head Island Area
The Children’s Relief Fund (CRF) is a non-profit organization founded in 1991 by Rose and Frank Fotia. Their son Gregory had multiple disabilities and was the inspiration behind CRF. Our group consists of volunteers who raise money to help fund therapy, equipment, summer programs and other group activities for disabled children in the Hilton Head Island and Bluffton area.
Nominated by David Ruckno
Awarded January 2025
Our January meeting location was provided by SPCC and they did a great job setting up space to conduct the meeting as well as having tea, lemonade and a cash bar. Three members made the following presentations.
– Lowcountry Autism Foundation by Scott Wild
– Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation by Jim Vesci
– St. James Food Bank by Chet Williams
All are well deserved opportunities and we should thank each presenter for their interest, passion and willingness to present to the group.
Members selected Lowcountry Autism Foundation with 57% of the votes as the next organization to receive our collective funds. We will work with LAF to schedule a day for a photo.
As a result of our previous award to Pockets Full of Sunshine, Carol Bartholomew attended our January meeting to share the organization’s appreciation. She recalled the downpour of rain that day and surprise as a dozen members showed up for the check presentation as well as to learn more about PFS. I think everyone attending were interested, surprised at the accomplishments and impressed with the individuals in the group.
“We, First Tee, enable kids to build the strength of character that empowers them through a lifetime of new challenges. By seamlessly integrating the game of golf with life skills curriculum, we create learning experiences that build inner strength, self-confidence, and resilience that kids carry to everything they do.”
Nominated by Shawn Fowler
Kelly did a great job covering the meeting, talking with members to share the story of how we are impacting the community.
It’s official, we are changing. The name but not the hat yet as we are still trying to get a new hat produced. Now we need additional artwork. Not our most burning issue.
We look forward to having an additional location to alternate meetings to mix it up as well as creating an opportunity for others to participate.
Starting in January, the 25th, we are meeting at the Sea Pines Country Club and returning to Spanish Wells to enjoy the water view in the spring.
Over the past seven meetings you have raised over $100,000 for local needs. What was our goal? “We measure success by giving back to people just trying to go thru life.” Based on the generosity of people on the island and members from other states, we have made a great start.
The website is intended to explain the process, approach and expectations. If you see a question, send a note. We will keep the process simple and make a decision quickly.
Please pass the word along and bring a friend to our next meeting.
We are still working on updating the website for the broader group. By we, I’m referring to me and the elves. We only have two and I just learned they are leaving in 9 days!
Regardless, we will be meeting January 25th to hear about three charities that we can collectively help in our community. There will be a random drawing of the ones submitted for consideration. If you would like to add one to the list, fill out some basic information on the website. Below is the current list of nominations. If the elves missed one, just let me know.
If you would like to nominate a new one to consider, go to – https://menandwomenwhocare.com/nominating/
Hilton Head High School Booster Club
St. James Food Pantry
Full Spectrum Studio
Hilton Head Heros
Lowcountry Autism Foundation
Sandalwood Food Pantry
Operations Patriot Forward Operating Base
South Carolina Nurse Retention Incentive
Volunteers in Medicine
Mental Health America
Juvenile Diabetes Research Fund
About a dozen members visited Pockets Full of Sunshine to get a photo of our big check. More importantly, we learned about what PFS is doing in our community. Leaders shared and explained what they were doing to coach others to learn how to contribute in the our local area.
Check out their online store for items produced or contact them for a need that you may have.
For the members, it was rewarding to see what was being done by PFS for the “Rays” and overwhelming to be greeted with such gratitude.
Interview of the 100MWC by the local TV station for the island.
From funding innovative research to advocating for government action to providing a support structure for our community, no other organization does more to fight type 1 diabetes (T1D) than JDRF.
Nominated by Jim Vesci