Events

Bluffton Rotary partners with the United Way of the Lowcountry in the reading program they have developed for Beaufort County Schools.  In past years Rotary volunteers have participated in this program at Red Cedar Elementary School.  

The increasing popularity of backyard oyster roasts and by-the-bushel retail sales of oysters has contributed to a shortage of shells returned to our estuaries to provide a suitable surface to attract juvenile oysters. More often than not, the shells end up in driveways and landfills.

During the summer months, oysters spawn and release free-swimming larvae, called spat, into the water column. The spat are carried by tide and current and after spending about two weeks moving in the water column, seek a suitable surface upon which to attach and begin building their shells of calcium carbonate. Unless disturbed, they will spend the remainder of their life cycle where they have attached. Centuries of oyster cultivation experience have proven oyster shell to be one of most desirable materials (called cultch) for attachment and subsequent growth of young oysters.

 Adult oysters filter and purify up to 2.5 gallons of water per hour or up to 50 gallons per day. Oysters build reefs which provide habitat for fish, shrimp, crabs, and other animals. They are an integral part of the marine ecosystem. There are nearly 120 different species that frequent oyster reefs, including; Red Drum, Blue Crabs, Flounder, and Shrimp.

Volunteers are needed to build Manufactured Wire Reefs, which are wire baskets filled with recycled oyster shells.  The project will take place at the Waddell Mariculture Center on Sawmill Creek Rd. in Bluffton.  The MWRs will be placed along the shoreline of the May River by Bluffton Rotarians at a future date.

SHARE A WARM MEAL -- SHARE A MOMENT OF COMFORT

When families are navigating long hospital stays, something as simple as a warm meal can bring relief, normalcy and connection.  Ronald McDonald House Coastal Empire (RMH) exists to ensure families can stay close to the medical care their child needs, without the added burden of travel, cost, or isolation.Through their Adopt-A-Meal program, RMH recruits volunteers to provide meals for families staying at the Ronald McDonald House in Savannah. They typically serve dinner for 25-35 people. 

The Bluffton Rotary Club has been participating in this program on a quarterly basis for several years. Our next project will occur on Saturday, Sep 19, 2026.  John Campbell and Mary O'Neill are co-coordinators for this event.

Volunteers plan the menu and purchase the ingredients in advance.  On the day of the event, volunteers prepare the meal and set up for buffet-style service at 6:00 p.m after the families return from their day at the hospital. There is a commercial kitchen at RMH that volunteers can use to prepare the meal, or volunteers are permitted to prepare the meal at a commercial kitchen offsite and bring the food to RMH for service.  Volunteers are encouraged to stay and dine with the families.  Following the meal, volunteers are asked to complete some minor kitchen cleanup before departing   More detailed information will be provided to those who volunteer..  

Volunteers are needed for the 2026 Historic Arts and Seafood Festival.  Please click on the link below to sign up.

2025 Historic Bluffton Arts & Seafood Festival (copy)