News Summary
South Carolina sees significant community engagement through various initiatives. The Palmetto Animal League promotes pet adoption, while the Human Trafficking Task Force launches a certification program. Beaufort Memorial Hospital introduces a summer youth volunteer program, and local tax updates take effect. Academic achievements are celebrated, and the Town of Bluffton collaborates with PAL to support pet adoptions. The National Human Trafficking Hotline is available for assistance.
Community Updates from South Carolina
Bluffton – Local organizations and institutions are making strides in community engagement, education, and support initiatives.
Animal Adoption at Palmetto Animal League
The Palmetto Animal League (PAL) is currently promoting pets available for adoption:
- Foxie: A sweet 1-year-old girl, spayed, vaccinated, and microchipped. She has shown great improvement in a foster home.
- Jethro: A charming 4-year-old dog with silky fur and blue eyes. He is also neutered, vaccinated, and microchipped.
For more information about adopting Foxie or Jethro, contact PAL at 843-645-1725 or email Info@PalmettoAnimalLeague.org.
Human Trafficking Task Force Initiative
The South Carolina Human Trafficking Task Force, led by Attorney General Alan Wilson, has announced a statewide certification program for service providers assisting human trafficking survivors. Key points include:
- This initiative is in partnership with the Safe House Project.
- South Carolina is the first state to require Safe House certification.
- Up to 20 programs will be certified annually, with eight nonprofits participating in the initial cycle.
- Certified programs will be listed in the National Human Trafficking Hotline’s referral resources.
Beaufort Memorial Hospital Youth Program
Beaufort Memorial Hospital is accepting applications for its “Rising Stars” summer youth volunteer program:
- Application Deadline: April 4, 2025
- Session Dates: June 9-20 and July 7-18
- Participants will complete 60 volunteer hours and receive certifications in Basic Life Support and Stop the Bleed.
- Eligibility: High school sophomores, juniors, or seniors, aged 15 years by June 9, 2025, and fully vaccinated.
Local Tax Updates
New local sales and use taxes will be implemented in five South Carolina counties starting on May 1, 2025. The changes include:
- A statewide sales tax of 6%.
- A potential local sales tax of 1%, pending voter approval.
Academic Achievements
- Rosy Almazan from Bluffton has been named to Washington University’s Dean’s List for Fall 2024 with a GPA of 3.6 or above.
- John Crousore and Charles Desrosiers from Bluffton are recognized on the Dean’s List for the University of Minnesota Twin Cities for Fall 2024.
- Tanner Smith and Shenkliay Shepherd, both at Ohio University, earned a place on the Fall 2024 Provost’s List for achieving a GPA of 3.5 or higher.
- Lisa Sanchez, a freshman nursing student from Okatie, SC, made the Dean’s List at the University of Pittsburgh at Bradford for Fall 2024 with a GPA of 3.5 or above.
Town of Bluffton Initiatives
The Town of Bluffton is collaborating with Palmetto Animal League to enhance employee morale and encourage pet adoptions:
- Quarterly visits with adoptable animals are part of the initiative.
- PAL educates the community on its no-kill approach, caring for around 200 pets awaiting adoption.
Two successful sessions featuring kittens and puppies have already been held at the Bluffton town office to promote adoption and socialization.
National Human Trafficking Hotline
For those seeking assistance or wishing to report incidents related to human trafficking, the National Human Trafficking Hotline operates 24/7, offering confidential support.
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Additional Resources
- Bluffton Today: News from Around the Lowcountry
- Bluffton Today: Town of Bluffton’s Adoption Partnership
- WSAV: Clear the Shelters 2024 Participating Shelters
- Island Packet: Local Holiday Events
- Savannah Now: Lowcountry Shelters’ Hurricane Preparedness
- Wikipedia: Human Trafficking in the United States
- Google Search: South Carolina Human Trafficking
- Google Scholar: Animal Adoption Programs
- Encyclopedia Britannica: Animal Shelter
- Google News: Bluffton South Carolina
