Helping children in crisis, when no one else is there

A Three‑Part Series on St. Christopher’s Children

For nearly two decades, St. Christopher’s Children has worked quietly to support underserved children across Georgetown County, providing new clothing and critical orthodontic care to students living in crisis. This three‑part series explores the organization’s mission and origins, the resale store that helps fund its work, and the community partnerships and fundraising efforts — including the upcoming Palmetto Giving Day — that allow St. Christopher’s Children to continue stepping in when no one else is there.

By Karen Owens, Publisher

On a cold winter morning, Robert Pelletier noticed a child walking into school wearing tattered clothes and flip‑flops — despite the winter weather. It was a simple but troubling moment that revealed a reality many in Georgetown County rarely see. That moment became the catalyst for St. Christopher’s Children.

Founded in 2007, St. Christopher’s Children exists to support students living in crisis by providing two essential services that directly affect a child’s ability to learn and thrive: new clothing and critical orthodontic care. Working initially through Precious Blood of Christ Church, Pelletier and early volunteers began collecting clothing for children who lacked even the most basic necessities. Nearly two decades later, the nonprofit continues to address needs that often fall through the cracks of traditional assistance programs.

“It is difficult to grasp the essential truth that there are kids in our community for whom basic clothing is almost a luxury,” said Rev. Tiffany Slaughter Knight, executive director of St. Christopher’s Children.

On average, it costs between $150 and $175 to clothe one child with essentials such as shoes, socks, underwear, pants, and seasonal clothing. For families already struggling, those costs can be insurmountable.

A cornerstone of St. Christopher’s success is its close partnership with school nurses throughout Georgetown County. Nurses identify students in distress and discreetly relay lists of urgent needs — whether winter coats, basic clothing, or shoes. In some schools, the organization maintains clothing supplies on site so children who become sick or have an accident during the day can change clothes and return to class, rather than going home embarrassed and missing instruction.

“That ability to change and go back to learning matters more than people realize,” Knight said.

Seasonal initiatives further extend the organization’s reach. Through a partnership with the Knights of Columbus, St. Christopher’s collected and distributed winter coats to 426 children this past year alone. Volunteer shoppers are given funds to purchase children’s items locally, and an Amazon wish list allows donors to directly supply requested items for school distribution. 

In addition to clothing, St. Christopher’s Children operates an orthodontic care program for students with severe dental needs — services not covered by South Carolina Medicaid. The program helps address issues that can affect speech, confidence, classroom participation, and overall health. Recently, a $64,800 Jones Cripps Grant awarded through the Frances P. Bunnelle Foundation allowed the nonprofit to expand the number of children in the orthodontic program from 24 to 36 students.

Sustainability, however, remains an ongoing challenge.

“Our goal is to make these programs self‑sustaining over the long term,” Knight said. “That’s why fundraising is so critical.”

One of the organization’s most important upcoming fundraising opportunities is Palmetto Giving Day, a 36‑hour online giving campaign orchestrated by the Bunnelle Foundation. This year’s event runs from May 5 at 6 a.m. through May 6 at 6 p.m., and St. Christopher’s Children will be one of 83 nonprofits competing for community support during that narrow window.

Now in its eighth year participating, St. Christopher’s is striving to stand out by emphasizing its hyper‑local impact: every dollar raised stays in Georgetown County and directly supports children identified by local schools.

  “The need here is real, and it’s ongoing,” Knight said. “Palmetto Giving Day gives us a chance to tell that story when people are deciding where their support will make the biggest difference.”

Additional fundraising efforts throughout the year include private events hosted by community groups, donations of clothing and hygiene items, and a Giving Tuesday campaign that raised nearly $18,000 last year.

Knight, who has been with St. Christopher’s Children just over a year, has worked to deepen the organization’s community ties by participating in the Georgetown County Chamber of Commerce’s Leadership Georgetown program. Alongside two staff members, a dedicated board of directors, volunteers, and community partners, she continues to advance the organization’s mission.

“Our focus has always been on the children,” Knight said. “When no one else is there, that’s when we step in.”