Lori Opozda

HELPing Hands

story by ERIN WALLACE              photos by CHARLOTTE BERKELEY

Far too many people say they will be there when times get hard, and when they do in fact get hard, oftentimes those same people are nowhere to be seen or heard. Or if help does come, it dissipates as fast as it started. Thankfully, though, Beaufort doesn’t have to worry about this when those trying times arise for our fellow townsfolk because HELP of Beaufort is there to swoop in for whatever need is there, along with Executive Director (ED) of the organization, Lori Opozda. If you were to hop onto HELP’s website, you’d read: “Providing food, clothing, and short-term assistance to our neighbors in need.” They have faithfully provided these resources since the local organization began in 1973 by the women of the First Presbyterian Church of Beaufort (FPCB).Originally started to provide for this town’s residents and seniors needing assistance with at-home meals over time, HELP has grown into an unprecedented establishment that beautifully mirrors the community. In other words, as our community’s needs grow, so do the helping hands of HELP. In 1987, HELP of Beaufort was officially founded and reconstructed, adding the free pantry and free clothing services for the Beaufort community. However, it is important to note that HELP’s aim has always been to partner with local churches, outreach organizations, charitable groups, and grantors to provide the necessities of their clients. These clients involve hungry children, working families, seniors, and Beaufort County communities. Lori says that without the backing of this community and donor base, it would be impossible for their clients to receive the unending aid they’ve received as well as the amazing volunteers who deliver the meals and pantry goods to their clients at home, continuing the legacy of the FPCB women.

Lori is originally from New Bedford, Massachusetts, and made her way to the Lowcountry in 2011 to “start over” essentially. Lori owned a dog grooming and boarding business with her husband, Keith, that they started in 1997. This was a big sacrifice to leave all that they knew and built, but they were ready to behold all that our beloved town has to offer! After one year of living in Beaufort, Lori’s mom and stepdad joined them. Around this same time, Lori became pregnant with her now 10-year-old son, Alex: their miracle. Not soon after moving into town, Lori’s mom, Elaine Pontecelli, was diagnosed with stage four lung cancer. Thus, Elaine was given a year to live. After she passed, Lori was introduced to HELP through a friend of hers at the Baptist Church of Beaufort, when she initially sought out what to do with her mother’s left-behind items.

After donating the items and appreciating all the nonprofit had to offer, Lori happily decided to volunteer at HELP. However, after a couple of years of doing so, she found herself moving up to serve as Pantry Manager. When 2019 came around and the ED was moving home to care for her ill mother, Lori became Interim ED. It would turn out that Lori fit like a glove for the role and was voted in as Executive Director (appointed by the Board over HELP)! But, of course, no surprise there since Lori has always had a heart for others. For Lori, this gig doesn’t feel like a job, and that speaks loud enough. Since Lori officially dropped the “Interim” part of her title in January 2020, she has been coming up with all kinds of ideas for this community: innovating ways to fight for nutrition for the community; creating a garden for clients to come and acquire freshly grown veggies; developing creative fundraisers, like Buy-A-Board, where each board purchased goes directly to the construction labor; and let’s not forget leading HELP to finally gain their permanent fixture after relocating to three different rentals in the last five years.

HELP’s future home doesn’t have a set date to open. It’s hard to know as they have not reached their funding goal yet, but it’s happening, and significant progress has been made. Phase One is complete: clearing out the land, retention pond, culverts, etc. Now they are on to Phase Two, which includes slab, walls, and roof! Phase Three entails the interior, and well, then, HELP will officially have their home. It’s been a long time coming, as you can imagine! All of this could not be made possible without every single person who has given to HELP throughout the years, especially the past year with many massive changes soon to take place. Opportunities to donate range from purchasing an eight-dollar board off of their website for the Buy-A- Board event to giving monetary donations. Over time, any donation amount can go a long way, no matter how big or small. HELP has also experienced an incredible season with two, separate, generous donors contributing $100,000 to a matching campaign for the build, which our community matched both in the past two years. Wow, only in Beaufort do individuals find time to contribute to the betterment of others.

And let’s not forget about the volunteers who selflessly give their time, energy, and skills to support HELP and our community. These unsung heroes, 48 of them, work tirelessly during operating hours and also behind the scenes for those facing food insecurity and needing a helping hand. They embody the true spirit of community service. They often juggle their responsibilities, jobs, and families, yet still find time to contribute to the betterment of others. Their selflessness serves as a reminder that every act of kindness can make a profound difference in someone’s life, no matter how big or small.

Although, the generosity doesn’t end there as a matching campaign is currently going on in memory of one of HELP’s mobile meals drivers’ wives: Diana Lobrano. Fundraisers are second nature around this nonprofit life, and a couple are already happening and there are some to look forward to. In fact, this coming November 16th, HELP will celebrate its 50th anniversary with a grand celebration involving great food, live music, and an auction! Be sure to buy your tickets.

On behalf of HELP of Beaufort, Lori would like to take the time to personally thank specific surrounding businesses for their aid.

Brunson Construction has stepped up and is working in phases with them and with local companies to get the build done. Gasque Surveying donated their services for their survey, Twingi Productions Architecture donated their services, Espy Lumber is donating lumber, East Coast Foam is donating their labor, Southern Carpet and Flooring is donating tile for the two bathroom walls, Wood & Partners donated a landscape rendering, Stanley Automatic Doors is donating two automatic doors at 50% off cost, Winlectric is working with Powell Electric for donations, Anderson Pest Control is donating the new build termite package, and Sea Island Fire Protection is working with HELP for fire needs. If you know of anyone, HELP still needs goods and/or labor for a roofer and roofing, sheetrock, a plumber and plumbing supplies, a painter and paint supplies, and lighting fixtures. Please spread the word! Kindness and generosity seem to have no limits within this remarkable organization, especially for the people who help keep it running through their use of generous resources, whether time or money.

Beaufort is a beautiful place to live, and what makes it even more attractive are the people that inhabit this town. It is easy to forget about our neighbors struggling when life might seem to be going more smoothly for us in our bubble. If you are looking for ways to give back to this community or know anyone needing assistance or support, you can visit www.helpofbeaufort.org. Here’s to another 50 years of HELP of Beaufort continuing to make the Lowcountry a better place to live!