Heart Hope Happiness
“I shall take the heart. For brains do not make one happy, and happiness is the best thing in the world.” – Tin Man, The Wonderful Wizard of Oz
Philanthropy is where the Golden Isles community truly shows its heart. The incredible number of non-profit organizations that exist here and the well-attended events and successful fundraisers that help in supporting them are evidence of that. In addition to 5K runs, golf tournaments, and other smaller fundraisers, the Golden Isles philanthropic social calendar includes this incredible list of events: St. Simons Land Trust Oyster Roast, Junior League of the Golden Isles’ Dueling Pianos event, A Taste of Glynn benefiting Glynn Community Crisis Center, Humane Society of South Coastal Georgia’s Blue Jean Ball, Fashion Shows & Luncheons benefiting the American Cancer Society and CASA Glynn, Habitat for Humanity Glynn’s Habitat Hunt Ball, Taste of the Vine benefiting Coastal Coalition for Children, and Wine, Women & Shoes supporting Hospice of the Golden Isles. WOW, right?! While all of these functions and causes merit your attention, in keeping with the spirit of the Wonderful Wizard of Oz theme, we’re highlighting a few that touch on the themes of courage, heart, brains, and home.
Imagine a future of bountiful hope – where families flourish and where relationships are enriched in our communities throughout the Golden Isles. Glynn Community Crisis Center and its safe shelter, Amity House, celebrate 40 years of life-changing services for women, children, men, and their pets affected by domestic violence. The Center’s vision is a future in which our community has strong, safe, and successful families free from the fear of domestic violence.
“We’ve all witnessed so much growth in the awareness of domestic violence over the years and experienced an outpouring of community and corporate support,” said Kay Hampton, a longtime board member of Glynn Community Crisis Center. “I’ve been moved by the support and assistance we receive from those who give their time and funds. Many of our supporters remain anonymous.”
Hampton has seen decades of expansions in the wraparound services provided to survivors. What began as a shelter for women and children in 1983 has grown to provide emergency funds for rehousing and utilities, transportation, career and personal counseling, and outreach awareness in Glynn County and beyond. The 40th anniversary of Glynn Community Crisis Center is a celebration of philanthropy in the Golden Isles in which everyone can help transform families toward safety and happiness.
You can support Glynn Community Crisis Center by joining family and friends for an evening that benefits this worthy local cause and purchasing tickets to attend its signature fundraiser, A Taste of Glynn. Proceeds benefit Glynn Community Crisis Center/Amity House programs for victims of domestic violence and their children and pets. This well-established culinary charity benefit in the Golden Isles takes place at The King and Prince Beach & Golf Resort from 5:00-8:00 p.m. on Sunday, January 14. Discover sumptuous selections of coastal cuisine and barrier island flavors crafted by top local chefs as they vie for First Place in awarding categories. There will also be a fabulous silent auction and music performed by local musicians Michael Hulett, Monique Cothern, and Bill Lukitch. Tickets are $60/person and are available through pre-sale only, with no day-of-event sales taking place at the door. You also have the ability to double your impact thanks to a $75,000 matching grant from St. Marys Foundation. All tickets purchased/gifts will be matched dollar-for-dollar for Glynn Community Crisis Center/Amity House – celebrating 40 years in service. As this event typically sells out, purchase your tickets today at atasteofglynn.com.
Habitat for Humanity of Glynn County is offering the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to celebrating the Southern hunt while listening to recently retired Major League Baseball ace pitcher Adam Wainwright perform songs from his upcoming country music album in the beautiful setting of the Frederica Golf Club Terrace. This experience is part of The Hunt Ball fundraiser on Sunday, January 28.
The Hunt Ball is an informal celebration of fishing, fowl, and game, so pull on your favorite jeans or stylish hunting attire and come out to enjoy an evening of fun from 5:00-9:00 p.m. Local restaurants will offer Southern cuisine and hunting-themed culinary delights, including local oysters, wild game, delicious BBQ, an open bar and more. In addition to the performance by Adam Wainwright, there will be live demonstrations of owls, hawks, and hounds; exhibitions of vintage and European marksmanry and bourbon tastings. There will also be a live auction featuring exceptional hunting and fishing excursions, wildlife art and premier dining experiences.
You’re invited to become a sponsor and secure limited tickets to this event. As a sponsor, your donation will play a significant role in helping Habitat for Humanity of Glynn County in its quest to provide affordable homes for low-income families who have no other hope for home ownership. Along with faith and family, they believe a stable and decent home is the proven foundation upon which successful lives are built and they seek to provide that foundation to as many families as possible.
Habitat for Humanity of Glynn is excited to share the news that their first home in Century Place, its first neighborhood community development and site of their 100th Habitat home in Glynn County, was completed in December 2023. Construction is well underway on others, but they need your help to complete the remaining Century Place homes to provide the opportunity for 15 families to own brand new homes. By becoming a sponsor of The Hunt Ball, not only will you enjoy a unique and unforgettable event, but you will also help transform the lives of local families and their subsequent generations through home ownership. Don’t miss this special opportunity; purchase your sponsorship package or donate by visiting hfhglynn.charityproud.org/Donate.
An annual event to raise awareness about breast cancer will be returning to Sea Palms Resort on St. Simons Island the afternoon of February 10. The 2024 American Cancer Society Breast Cancer Fashion Show and Luncheon is presented by Vincent Arlauskas, M.D., Stephen Barrett, M.D., and Bradley Easterlin, M.D. This is the 24th year of the fashion show which features models who are breast cancer survivors taking to the runway to model stylish apparel and accessories from local retailers.
Boutiques providing fashion this year are Cloister Collection, Evelyne Talman, Maggie's Boutique, Shackelford Shoes, and The Yellow Canary. 2024 models are Jeanne Slayton-Collins, Barbara Foster, Kenneth Gaubert, Elizabeth Hayes, Donna Lafreniere, Jarette Moran, Laura Morrison, Gail Owens, Lynn Pease, Sheila Weis Scanlon, Michelle Schwartz, and Lori Strande.
Featuring a delicious lunch, silent auction, and the coveted “pink boxes,” this popular event makes for a fun afternoon out with friends. Tickets are $50 per person and will be on sale January 12-31. Local ticket outlets are St. Simons Drug Co. and Daisy Mae’s Hallmark store in Brunswick. They will also be available for purchase online at BCFS.givesmart.com.
The 2024 Southeast Georgia Health System Foundation Bridge Run is back for its 20th year on Saturday, February 17. Along with individuals from all over the Southeast who run for health and fun, The Bridge Run attracts top athletes from all over the U.S. and international runners as well. Annually, The Bridge Run registers 2,500+ participants and raises nearly $50,000.00 for the cancer and cardiac care programs at Southeast Georgia Health System. The challenging 10K Double Pump will starts the morning at 7:00 a.m. with runners crossing over the bridge twice. The highly anticipated Firefighter Challenge, where firefighters from all over are encouraged to participate in full gear for a 5K and be recognized for their service, takes place at 8:30 a.m.. Participants of all ages are encouraged to register to run or walk the course, maintaining a slower pace while enjoying the beautiful views of the Brunswick River and Marshes of Glynn. 5K Runners start at 9:30 a.m. and 5K Walkers begin at 10:30 a.m.
Cash is awarded to winners in the following categories: Top 3 Overall Male & Female 10K Double Pump and 5K Run ($1000 / $500 / $250) and Top 3 Firefighter Teams. Medals are awarded in the following categories: All runners placing in age level for 10K Double Pump and 5K Run; Top 3 Firefighter Teams; Top Three Overall Fastest Teams; Top Three Best Team Spirit.
Packet pick-up, pasta dinner, and an event EXPO will be held at the foot of the Sidney Lanier Bridge from 5:00-8:00 p.m. on Friday, February 16. Pick up your bib number and shirt. Timing chips are attached to bibs. Register online at active.com.
You have to turn the clock back 45 years for the origin of the Super Dolphin Day run. It was 1978 when PTA members Creta Nichols and Vickie Myers came up with the idea to encourage students to become more physically active. Drawing from the fitness craze that was sweeping the nation and the recent release of the movie Superman, they created the caped school mascot dolphin in running shoes and named this inaugural one-mile fun run “Super Dolphin Day.” The event was so successful that the PTA decided to make the run an annual tradition and eventually added 5K and 10K races as well as an auction and pasta party held the night before the run. In 1994, when Oglethorpe Point Elementary School opened, they joined the Super Dolphin Day tradition and both schools have worked together on the event which now attracts more than 1,500 participants and spectators each year. Proceeds from the race are split 50/50 between both schools, where the PTA can combine these funds with money raised from their other events to purchase items for their schools to enrich the students' learning experience.
Over the years, Super Dolphin Day has evolved into a HUGE event that engages the whole family. Participants don’t just include the runners and walkers who come from far and wide, the entire community gets involved. Our local businesses and community organizations contribute volunteer hours and items for the silent auction, donate to the pasta party, and participate in the festival that follows the race. You’ll see parents running with their kids, neighbors coming out to cheer on friends, teachers supporting their students, and so much more.
This year there’s something even bigger to celebrate: the brand-new St. Simons Elementary School buildings. While staff and students have been in their classrooms in the two-story building opened about a year ago with its new media center, art and music rooms, the building housing the kitchen, café, gym, and administrative wing has still been under construction. They’re thrilled to announce that the pre-race Pasta Party and packet pick-up will take place on Friday, February 23 in that shiny new café! Pasta will be provided by CJ’s Italian Restaurant, Crabdaddy’s and Fiddler’s are donating salad and dressing. Georgia Sea Grill is taking care of the bread. It’s sure to be a delicious event, so make plans to attend even if you’re not a runner/walker. There will be some fabulous items in the silent auction taking place at the pasta party too!
Race day is Saturday, February 24 at the St. Simons Casino Building. The 10K starts at 7:00 a.m. and the 5K starts at 8:30 a.m. The 1-Mile Fun Run on the Beach will begin at 9:30 a.m. Following the runs, you’ll want to stay for the awards and festival at the finish line. There will be a DJ playing music, bounce houses from Bounce it Out, a golf simulator from Fitted Fairways, face painting, the Matted Ox Axe Throwing cart and various food vendors. A wristband will need to be purchased to participate in some of the festival activities. Watch the Super Dolphin Day Facebook page for additional details. Regardless of whether you have kids that attend SSE or OPES, being a part of Super Dolphin Day by grabbing dinner at the Pasta Party, running or walking on Race Day, donating or bidding on silent auction items, or bringing the kids out to play in the bounce houses, is a fun and fabulous way to support education in our community. From what we hear, this year’s Super Dolphin Day might be the best one yet! For more information and to register, visit stsimons.glynn.k12.ga.us and click the About Us tab.
