Staff reports
Here’s what’s happening around Beaufort and Jasper counties.
AMIKids Executive Director wins Royal Productions Ambassador Award
Matthew Kingdom, Executive Director of AMIKids Beaufort Inc., has been named a recipient of the 2026 Royal Productions Ambassador Award, recognizing his outstanding commitment to community service, leadership, and his continued efforts to inspire growth and positive change.
Following his nomination, Kingdom was selected for this distinguished honor in recognition of his dedication to empowering others, advocating for positive transformation, and making a meaningful difference in the lives of individuals and families throughout the community.
As Executive Director of AMIkids Beaufort Inc., Kingdom has “demonstrated a passion for helping young people overcome challenges, recognize their potential, and create pathways toward brighter futures. His leadership reflects a commitment to mentorship, accountability, personal development, and providing opportunities for those who need guidance and support.”
The Ambassador Award recognizes men all across the nation who go beyond their professional responsibilities to serve as positive influences within their communities. Kingdom’s dedication to fostering growth, encouraging change, and advocating for others exemplifies the spirit and purpose of this recognition.
VillansCon coming to Beaufort for Halloween
VillansCon, a Halloween-themed gaming and pop culture convention, will take place at The Foundry on Saturday, Oct. 31 and Sunday, Nov. 1.
The event will bring together fans of gaming, anime, comics, cosplay, and pop culture, along with Trick-or-Treaters, for a fun-filled weekend. Attendees will also have the opportunity to meet voice actors from Red Dead Redemption 2 in person!
There are vendor booth opportunities available for businesses interested in participating and connecting with attendees. This could be a great opportunity to showcase your restaurant, promote your business, and engage with visitors coming to Beaufort for the event. If you are interested, reach out to Jacob Shodiya: board@athenaclt.org
Admission is $25 per person; kids 12 and under are Free, making it a fun opportunity to experience something new in our community.
Events like VillansCon help bring visitors to Beaufort and create opportunities for our local businesses to connect with new customers. We hope you’ll take advantage of this opportunity and help us spread the word!
City of Beaufort earns Distinguished Budget Presentation Award
The City of Beaufort has received the Distinguished Budget Presentation Award from the Government Finance Officers Association (GFOA) for its FY2027 online budget book, marking the 10th consecutive year the City has earned the recognition.
The award recognizes the City’s commitment to transparency, responsible financial management and effective budgeting. It also reflects the work of City Council and staff to maintain high standards in planning and communicating how public funds are allocated and used.
“I’m proud of our team for earning this recognition for the tenth consecutive year. It takes a lot of hard work and attention to detail to consistently meet these standards, and I appreciate the dedication of our staff to making our budget transparent and accessible to the public,” said Scott Marshall, City Manager.
Friends of Beaufort Library seeking volunteers
The Friends of the Beaufort Library would love help at its annual fall book sale, Nov. 6-8 at the Beaufort Waterfront Pavilion and at other events throughout the year.
Email volunteer3@friendsofthebeaufortlibrary.com for more information and to sign up to help.
Hardeeville hosting Veterans Day Ceremony
The City of Hardeeville invites the community to its 2026 Veterans Day Ceremony 8:30 to 9:30 a.m., on Wednesday, Nov. 11, at Memorial Park at 20 Martin Street in Hardeeville.
This annual ceremony brings the community together to honor the courage, service, and sacrifice of the brave men and women who have served and continue to serve our nation. Veterans, their families, and community members are encouraged to attend.
In preparation for the ceremony, the City of Hardeeville is also seeking photographs of active-duty and retired military personnel to feature in a special Veterans Day recognition.
Photographs should include the veteran’s name, rank, and branch of service and may be submitted by emailing recre8@hardeevillesc.gov.
The ceremony is free and open to the public. All are welcome. For more information, follow the Hardeeville Parks, Recreation & Tourism Department on Facebook.
Salvation Army looking for seasonal bell ringers
The Salvation Army of the Lowcountry is hiring seasonal bell ringers for the upcoming Christmas season, offering community members an opportunity to earn extra income while helping support local individuals and families throughout the year.
Bell ringers will be paid $12 per hour to staff Salvation Army Red Kettle locations during the holiday season. These seasonal positions play an important role in the annual Red Kettle campaign, one of The Salvation Army’s most important fundraising efforts.
While the Red Kettle campaign is a familiar sight during the Christmas season, its impact extends throughout the entire calendar year. Donations collected help fund ongoing programs and services for individuals and families across Beaufort, Jasper, Hampton, and Colleton counties, including food assistance, emergency financial assistance, youth programs, disaster services, and other essential community support.
The Salvation Army encourages interested applicants to learn more about joining this year’s seasonal team. To apply, contact Raequan Brisbane by calling 843-524-3727 or emailing Raequan.Brisbane@uss.salvationarmy.org.
Habitat for Humanity hosting 9th annual Turkey Trot 5K
Habitat for Humanity of the Lowcountry invites runners, walkers, families, and visitors to participate in the 9th annual Turkey Trot 5K on Thanksgiving, Thursday, Nov. 26, 2026, in downtown Beaufort.
This Thanksgiving tradition features awards, a costume contest, and plenty of Thanksgiving spirit. Registration and check-in will take place from 7 to 7:30 a.m., with the race beginning at 8 a.m. Proceeds benefit Habitat for Humanity of the Lowcountry.
Register at https://bit.ly/4jVzMyd