Missions Opportunities

Local Organizations  Supported by St. Paul’s Mission Budget

St. Paul’s Waccamaw Methodist Church is a small congregation with a big heart. Since its beginning in the mid-1980s, the people of St. Paul’s have looked to the needs of the community. We have been strong in our faith and faithful in our work to follow Jesus’ command, “Love your neighbor as yourself.” This is so important that it’s found eight times in the Bible. 

God’s work on earth depends upon us. We have been blessed with the opportunity to assist several wonderful organizations that help people in need. Our purpose is to share the love that we have received with others; to serve and to bring a little bit of heaven to earth by extending the hand of God to others. We are grateful for the opportunities and thankful for the resources that have allowed us to positively impact other people’s lives. Our focus is local missions which are critical to the survival of many people in our community, to building better stronger lives and to giving a hand up not a handout. 

• A Father’s Place—The only local organization focused on building better fathers and strengthening families. Their mission is to ensure every child has a father who is actively engaged in their life. Offers education and services tailored for fathers trying to rebuild their lives by enabling men to develop the knowledge, confidence and parenting skills to become responsible fathers and co-parents. Locations in Conway, Georgetown and Myrtle Beach. When fathers are involved, their children are: 2 times more likely to go to college, 80% less likely to spend time in jail, 75% less likely to experience teen pregnancy. Expanded to include spouses and young men in middle and HS. In 2021/2022 period, had 214 fathers, 153 Middle and HS males, impacted 261 children; helped 107 men gain jobs. Support includes training, coaching, support groups. 
• Adult and Teen Challenge—Helps teens and young adults live a drug-free life. Its recovery program has a documented success rate of over 80% nationally. The Georgetown location helps over 100 families per year. Active in helping with the local opioid epidemic. Large expansion of study and dorm areas due to gifts. 
• Back Pack Buddies—Food for weekends for children who get free breakfast and lunch at school. This is an outreach of St. Peter’s Lutheran Church, but needs additional funding. In addition to donated food, need $54/child/year. Serve 500 children in 5 schools in Georgetown County + I child development center.
• Baskervill Food Pantry—St. Paul’s is one of several local churches contributing food to the pantry. We currently provide some peanut butter and 24 dozen 12.5 oz. cans of chicken each month (most of which we purchase from donations). For additional information, see the section on the Pantry.
• Canine Angels Service Dogs—Service dogs for wounded and disabled veterans on the Grand Strand (Wilmington, NC to Georgetown, SC) at no cost to the vet (there are 10,000 disabled vets in the Grand Strand area). Average 20-30 dogs/year. All are trainable dogs from local shelters. Service includes training of recipients. 
• Family Justice Center—SC ranks 6^th in the USA for states with the highest level of domestic violence. Law enforcement officers in Georgetown County, respond to an average of 250 domestic violence calls each year (only 20% of the total). Sole provider of coordinated services to victims of domestic violence in Georgetown and Horry Counties (70% of those helped). The Georgetown Safe-Shelter has 9 beds. Land donated for 18-bed shelter in Horry Co.; not yet built and behind anticipated late 2023 opening. In 2021, helped 1,110 women, children and men. Working with 47 partnering agencies, the FJC is based on a nationally and internationally established “best practice” model for service delivery in the domestic violence field. 
• Friendship Place—A Christian organization feeding and helping the hungry and homeless in Georgetown County. In 2022, served 7,700 meals (>200,000 since 1/2020). Have helped 68 people secure jobs; employment coaches help them stay employed; collaborative effort with local mental health counselors. In 2023, started after school reading program. Because of deterioration of St. Cyprian’s, raised funds to buy and rehab former funeral home at 1423 Front St. $50 = 10 meals.
• Good Friends of Georgetown County—Begun 2001 to support people in our community who face a temporary financial crisis that threatens basic human needs. Have helped >10,000 individuals with food, shelter, medical expenses, etc. Recipients don’t qualify for state or federal assistance, and exhausted help from Helping Hands of Georgetown, so they have nowhere else to turn. Their annual fundraising luncheon no longer covers the need so their board approached churches for additional help. Each recipient can receive a maximum of $300/year (paying the need directly, not given to the individual). 
• Helping Hands of Georgetown—Its “Compassionate care program,” provides basic needs of food, utilities, and dental care. In 2023, helped 1,323 households with food (plus 971 bags food in Andrews); 349 Thanksgiving meals; 714 households with heat/utilities; 850 people for dental care. In addition, offer employment counseling; career path, and youth empowerment programs designed to support individuals and families move out of poverty.
• JOY School—A 6-week (free) summer day program for up to 54 children and young adults with Intellectual Disabilities including Down’s Syndrome, Cerebral Palsy, Autism, Mental Retardation, and developmental delays. Located at Pawleys Island Presbyterian Church during June and July. Classes in music, art, academics, adaptive P.E. drama and swimming are taught by highly trained and experienced staff. The program provides an important bridge for children during the summer months to maintain progress from the school and stimulate a positive social environment to engage with other kids. 
• Mingo Creek Academy—utilizing now defunct Tara Hall facilities offering high-quality pre-k education for rural Georgetown County (only early education in the area) so children start school with a solid foundation. Started 2021. Have 32 kids; licensed for 44. State-approved curriculum. Not state-funded. Grants for buses. Parent involvement. Need funds for lunch, books, transportation, salaries. 
• St. Christopher’s Children—Begun December 2007 in Pawleys Island to provide clothing (often emergency winter clothing and shoes), eye glasses and dental care for the abandoned, abused and economically disadvantaged children whose needs cannot be met by existing social services or government agencies. The effort is now throughout Georgetown County. 80% volunteer. Since inception, helped >4,700 children. In 2023: $126,762 invested in children; 250 with new clothing and 22 orthodontic care (plus 205 winter coats). Most are identified by school nurses and known only to them to maintain privacy.
• Smith Medical Clinic—medical clinic meeting the needs of low-income individuals and families, free of charge. Treat 2,100 annually with over 200 volunteer physicians, nurses and a small, part-time staff. 37% of Georgetown County residents do not have health insurance. Every $1 donates generates > $10 in health care service at Smith Medical Clinic. $250 provides complete medical and prescription help for one individual. St. Paul’s is a “Patient Partner.”
• Students in the Word—off-site elective Bible studies for students to learn the Bible and establish a personal relationship with Jesus Christ; many are unchurched. Begun in 2009 with WHS (which meets at All Saints). In the Fall 2014, the Middle School (7^th and 8^th graders) began using St. Paul’s. With the addition of 6^th grade spring 2022, there are now 120 students enrolled here (3 classes of 20 each for fall and spring). Since 2018 we have been providing personal Bibles and study guides for each student.
• Teach My People—After-school program for at-risk children with 173 students enrolled (133 in Pawleys Island, grades 1-12; 50 in Georgetown, grades 1-5). Plans to set up in Andrews. Students are mentored year-round throughout their elementary, middle and high school years with high quality, organized programs that are based on Christian principles and values. School year grades: 15% “A” average; 41% “B” average. Provide dinner every night. 80% of children go home on Friday with a Back-Pack Buddy. In the past year, 34 of 36 graduated HS on time; 9 alumni graduated college; 10 others attending college; 3 serving in US military.
• The Outreach Farm—In 2003, began providing beef for local nonprofits. Its business model changed from raising cattle to slaughter (expensive) to simply raising funds to purchase food (buying as low as $1.35/lb.). 100% volunteer organization. Provide 2,000 lb./month beef, chicken and pork to 20 organizations (TMP, food kitchens, etc.). Surpassed one million pounds.

Together, we can make a difference!