Letters: Thank-you letters for March 9

The Chart House

On Thursday, Jan. 21, my wife, Angela, and I went to a local restaurant on the island, The Chart House, to celebrate our 55th wedding anniversary. We were seated at a table next to three lovely ladies, with a nice view of the marina and the water. We ordered wine and when it arrived I wished my wife a happy anniversary.

Our waiter, Kevin, arrived and was very friendly and helpful in our dinner selections.

A short time later, one of the ladies leaned toward us and said that she overheard our toast; the three then wished us well. We chatted a bit and then went on with our dinners.

As the ladies were about to leave, I stood and thanked them again for their kind wishes. With that, one of them leaned down and kissed my wife on the cheek. We learned that she is a resident, while the other two are friends, visiting. They then left and we continued to finish our dinners.

When Kevin came to the table, he asked if there was anything else we would like. I replied, “Just the check, please.” Kevin then told us that there would be no bill, as one of the ladies had already paid for half of our dinner and that there was no charge. When asked who paid the rest of the bill, Kevin told us that he had.

We were so taken aback by this gesture of pure generosity toward us, who were strangers, that we were nearly speechless.

I tried to find out the name of the lady, who lives in Hilton Head Plantation, but was unsuccessful.

We are hopeful that she and Kevin will read this letter and know how moved we are to receive such warmth and love from her and from a generous server.

Thank you, with our gratitude. Please know that this will be paid forward frequently.

Lowcountry Autism Foundation

On behalf of the Lowcountry Autism Foundation, thank you for the attention you have given autism in recent weeks, including the article published Feb. 23 titled, “Study: Supplement seen as tool for stemming autism risk.”

Today, one child in every 68 has been identified with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), twice as many as in 2000, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. That means, using the six degrees of separation theory, nearly everyone reading this has some connection to this disorder.

The information your coverage provides of the disorder helps raise awareness and it leads to those struggling with the challenges facing children with autism to seek answers to questions such as: Where can I find out if my child really has autism? Where can I go when he needs help with daily behavior challenges? Where can she participate with other kids without being left out (or worse) and learn the skills to interact positively with others?

The Lowcountry Autism Foundation was formed to help answer those questions. LAF provides autism evaluation services in Beaufort County and surrounding areas as well as providing behavioral supports, art therapy services, educational supports, and opportunities to interact with peers in fun and supportive ways.

Your coverage of autism is one important step in helping our community understand the challenges.

Nurse/angel Barbara Dill

Barbara Dill — so you have left us without allowing those of us remaining here on this Earth to say “safe journey”?

I stepped into Barbara Dill’s nursing shoes after she retired from working with Dr. Paul Long. What Big Shoes those were to fill! Every day, it was “Barbara this, Barbara that —where is Barbara?” and on and on and on. For years — on and on and on. This gal was loved by everyone. I just tied my shoes on really tight.

I first met Barbara in the halls of the Medical Pavilion. We would run into each other late in the day leaving our respective MD offices tired, weary, dragging our feet to head home, get some rest, and return the next day to perform our nursing and work duties all over again. ALWAYS, she had this grand smile on her face and a twinkle in her eyes. We could just look at each other and know each other’s thoughts without saying a word.

Her laugh, her spirit and her love of family, patients, friends and mankind as a whole came naturally and ran deep in her soul. One of the best! Heaven, make way for “nurse/angel” Barbara Dill — she has her shoes back on!

RIP, my friend.

The Bargain Box

BackPack Buddies of Bluffton sincerely thanks The Bargain Box for the recent very generous donation to our program and congratulates them on the monumental achievement of having donated $13.9 million to nonprofits in Beaufort County.

Because of organizations like The Bargain Box, our program and many others have been able to grow and remain sustainable.

BackPack Buddies of Bluffton began in 2010 with 80 children in two school receiving backpacks each week. Today we serve approximately 650 children in 10 schools during the entire school year.

Hilton Head Lexus/Chatham Parkway Lexus

Palmetto Animal League (PAL) is immensely grateful for a significant donation from Hilton Head Lexus/Chatham Parkway Lexus as a result of their December to Remember campaign. The dealership donated $100 to PAL for every new car sold or leased during December. PAL was thrilled to receive $3,900 from Hilton Head Lexus and $3,600 from Chatham Parkway Lexus.

Their generosity did not stop there. In 2015, Hilton Head Lexus also held a car wash/pet adoption event raising $440. In addition, they sponsored our annual charity golf tournament with a donation of $2,000, bringing their total contributions for the year to an astounding $9,940.

We are overwhelmed by the generosity of Hilton Head Lexus/Chatham Parkway Lexus and their dedication to improving the lives of the animals in our community. Their donations will allow PAL to provide vital care for hundreds of abandoned cats and dogs.

Palmetto Animal League is a private, nonprofit animal rescue organization that relies solely on donations, fundraising events and the PAL Thrift Store in Sheridan Park to give every animal a second chance at life.

PAL also operates an Adoption Center and Community Clinic in Okatie where we provide all animals with food, water, shelter, veterinary care, emotional support, enrichment, socialization and much more as we prepare them to be adopted into a loving home.

The tremendous success of Hilton Head Lexus/Chatham Parkway Lexus’ fundraising efforts is a true testament to the caliber of this company as a whole. All of us at PAL, especially the animals, are grateful for the chance to be partnered with such an outstanding company.

Strangers change tire

At about 6:20 on Monday evening, Feb. 22, as I was driving west on the bridges off of Hilton Head Island and just as I was in the construction area of the flyover project, a large piece of metal was flipped up from the roadbed by the car traveling in front of mine. This piece of metal then passed under my car, slashing the rear tire on the driver’s side.

I pulled into the nearest safe place and was very fortunately followed by two wonderful gentlemen in a truck. They were on their way home from work and saw the aftermath of what had happened. These two gentlemen immediately changed the tire, all the while kindly talking with my two grandchildren who were sharing this misadventure.

They went on their way, and all I learned about them was that they worked installing and repairing gas lines to houses. I am very grateful for their help and their kindness.

Spaghetti Dinner helpers

Boy Scout Troop 245 would like to thank our local businesses for donating fantastic food for our annual Spaghetti Dinner.

Sponsors included: The Sonesta Hotel, Publix, Harris Teeter, Kroger, Sam’s Club, Coca-Cola, Giuseppi’s at Shelter Cove and the Piggly Wiggly at Coligny Plaza.

The troop greatly appreciates the support and hospitality the First Presbyterian Church has given us over the years. We could not have had such a successful fundraiser without its generous assistance and facilities. Also, we would like to thank the parishioners and visitors of Holy Family Catholic Church for their ongoing support.

Finally, we would like to thank all of the businesses that donated items to our silent auction. It was a great success and much appreciated.

We are fortunate to live in such a giving and vibrant community.

Thank you!

This story was originally published March 9, 2016 at 5:59 PM with the headline "Letters: Thank-you letters for March 9."