Mayor's Memos: Town of Bluffton, foundation partner to help community
Many times, town staff and police officers get involved in unfunded projects that fill a need in the community. The annual Christmas Toy Drive or 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 Scholarship program.
The program, which is funded by a 5K race, also encourages our community’s students to adopt safe driving habits and reduce the number of vehicle collisions. It 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 has established three charitable funds that now are formal channels to fund additional projects that 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. The Bluffton Police Department 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 Town of Bluffton Parks and Public Art Fund supports the development and enhancement of public parks and art.
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.
For more information about any of these funds and how a resident or organization can donate, please 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.
If you ever have questions about our wonderful town, don’t hesitate to contact Town Hall at 706-4500 or email Lisa Sulka at lsulka@townofbluffton.com.