MISSION

To enable all young people, especially those who need us most, to reach their full potential as productive, responsible, caring citizens.

HISTORY

The Boys & Girls Club of Hilton Head Island was established in 1990 at Sandlewood, a local low-income housing project located on the Island. In 1999, in order to expand and serve more children, a 29,000-square-foot facility was built near the Hilton Head School complex off Gumtree Road, the cost of which was paid 100 percent from donations by local organizations and private donors. Over the past three decades, the Club has served an estimated 13,000 local children ages 6-18 with educational, leadership and recreational programs after school and all day in the summer. It currently has over 1,000 members enrolled, over 275 children walk through their doors every day, and 52,000 meals are served to those children every year.

WHO IT HELPS

The organization is focused on serving the needs of children and teens, ages 6-18. Having an affordable and safe place for kids to go after school allows parents and family members to work long hours, so the organization is not only helping the island’s youth, but it is helping their parents and extended families. If families didn’t have access to affordable child care, many of them would not be able to live on the island and therefore might not be able to work on the island. Over 750 Boys & Girls Club parents provide skilled service support to Hilton Head Island through employment in the retail, construction, restaurant, hotel and healthcare business sectors. Various local, county and state organizations use their space for meetings and recreational activities, and their facility serves as an outdoor event space.

HOW TO HELP

Each year, the club meets its annual budget through three community fundraisers, a board-driven private appeal, donations from long-time supporters and local and national grants. They do not receive government funding. To donate, visit the “ways to give” section of the club’s website. Tours of the facility are available by contacting club director Kim Likins at 843-689-3646 or via email at kim.likins@bgclowcountry.org. Interested volunteers may contact Pat Ruck at pat.ruck@bgclowcountry.org.

For More Information: Visit bgchiltonhead.org or find them on social media (Facebook: @bgchhi, Instagram: @boysandgirlsclubhiltonhead)