The
Hilton Head Sun
PRSRT STD ECRWSS US POSTAGE PAID BLUFFTON, SC PERMIT NO. 135 POSTAL CUSTOMER
April 8, 2026 • Volume 29, Issue 4 • Complimentary • HiltonHeadSun.com
Five residents honored for service to Hilton Head community By Sasha Sweeney
Ford’s Shell Ring Park
Editor
The work often happens quietly, without recognition or attention. It takes place in repair projects, classrooms, clinics and community groups. This month, five Hilton Head Island residents were recognized for that kind of service. Chris Shively, Linda Ferguson, Don Hendrickson, Dr. William Bilek and Bernie Riedel were named recipients of the Mayor’s Honored Islander Award, which recognizes residents who give their time and talents to improve the community without compensation or public recognition. “These residents – honored Islanders – are people I love to brag about,” Mayor Alan Perry said. “They spend countless hours giving back to our community and serving others without asking for anything in return. They have big hearts, and this is our way of thanking them for what they do.” The group was recognized at a luncheon hosted by the mayor and sponsored by Hudson’s Seafood House on the Docks. Each honoree represents a different part of the community, but their work shares a common thread: service. Shively, a retired commercial contractor, leads the volunteer home repair team at Deep Well, where he serves as construction supervisor. Since joining in 2020, he has helped oversee projects that allow homeowners to remain safe in their homes. He also played a role in expanding the organization’s office facilities. Ferguson, a longtime educator who retired from the Beaufort County School District in 2015, has remained deeply involved in youth programs and education. She serves as a trustee and youth
RBC Heritage Special Section advisor at Central Oak Grove Missionary Baptist Church and works with the Gullah Museum of Hilton Head Island to connect young people with local history and culture. Her volunteer work also includes roles with the Boys & Girls Club, Habitat for Humanity of the Lowcountry and scholarship fundraising efforts. Hendrickson has focused his efforts on education, health and business development. Through the Neighborhood Outreach Connection, he supports programs aimed at workforce development and wellness. He also tutors adults in English through Bluffton Self Help and mentors small business owners through SCORE. Dr. Bilek has spent nearly two decades volunteering at the Volunteers in Medicine Clinic, where he provides care to women who may not otherwise have access to health services. The clinic offers preventive care and screenings, including mammograms and lab testing,
with a focus on long-term health. Riedel’s service spans more than 30 years with the Rotary Club of Hilton Head Island. His work has included leadership roles at the club and district levels, along with international efforts to eradicate polio. He currently serves as a regional coordinator supporting Rotary’s global health initiatives. The Mayor’s Honored Islander Award is awarded through a nomination process, with candidates reviewed by a committee appointed by the mayor. Anyone or any organization may nominate individuals for the award through the Town’s website hiltonheadislandsc.gov Together, the recipients reflect the breadth of volunteerism on Hilton Head Island, from housing and health care to education and global outreach. Their contributions often happen behind the scenes, but their impact is felt across the community.
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Monitoring Shore Birds During Beach Renourishment 43A
25th Annual Art Market 45A