Hello there Facebook land. Many of you know, or I hope so, the story of Jeffery that helps people out at the boat landing at the oyster factory in Bluffton. Well today of course he was there helping and as always helped me get my boat out of the water. Anyway, he seemed out of breath and he stated that running back and forth to the parking lot was killing him. So of course I asked what he needed. Jeffery said he’d love to have a gas powered golf cart to get back and forth to the factory and up and down the hill. I’m not made of money as I assume most of you aren’t but is there any way we can make his wish come true? Let’s all come together for Jeffery as he does for us every day when we are down at the ramp!
Additional comments:
Article written by: Paul Tollefson
Jeffery, he stutters as he slowly tells me his name. If you are lucky enough to live in Bluffton, and own a watercraft, you have crossed paths with Jeffery.
Jeffery is here at the boat landing, it’s 7:12 am and I casually strike up a conversation. I’ve met Jeffery many times, and it’s usually under the same circumstances. We are both down here trying to clear our mind, as we stare at the salty May, small ripples of waves tell us that the dolphins are feeding.
I’m down here, listening to Jimmy Buffett, I ask him his favorite music. He glances up, as if to calculate a response, “anything but that heavy metal” he slowly replies
Jeffery doesn’t receive a paycheck, nor benefits, Jeffery works from sun up to sun down, as a deck hand. He is employed by no one, yet tells me he is helping Mr. Toomer and the town of Bluffton. Jeffery works for tips and asks nothing from anyone. He tells me that yesterday he made $80 and a few beers
Jeffery is from Columbia SC and yes he is a gamecock fan through and through. He tells me his story of his father and aunt, who cared for him passing away, and now lives with his uncle on Myrtle island . He is up early, as to not wake his uncle, he jumps on his bike and treks the 2.5 miles over to the oyster factory launch, as Toomers salty shrimp boat “daddy’s girls” softly sways to the current.
As I’m writing this, Mr. Toomer, a Bluffton native and huge influence on this town, a man I’ve been lucky enough to hunt with,pulls up. I quickly give him a southern nod and tell him I’m writing this. His words “ Jeffery is a positive for our growing community, he does nothing wrong and greets people with a smiling face”
Unfortunately I’ve seen the ugly side of this quaint town. Many of occasions I’ve seen people yell and cuss at Jeffery, “get your hands off my boat” . My fighting days are gone, but that gets the old blood flowing. Jeffery quietly walks away, flips his towel over his shoulder and continues to direct traffic and boats as they come in.
I ask Jeffery about his youth. Again he glances up, apologies to the lord and says “ I’ve been to two high schools because a lot of people were assholes,but I graduated from Brookland Cacye high school. “He says this with a smile as he changes his phone radio to Travis tritt. “I like a few of his songs”
I slowly ask Jeffery questions, gaining his trust. I ask him about his love for football and his love for country music. I ask him if he likes it here, he replies “ clouds are gonna go away, gonna be a nice day”
A toothless smile appears as I ask Jeffery if I can take his picture, as I’m writing a short blurb about him. He slings his dirty towel over his shoulder, pulls his worn out under armour shirt over his small belly and smiles like he’s the happiest man on earth.
This is Jeffery, this is Bluffton. Be nice
Any additional proceeds will be donated to Jeffery.
Thank you for all your support and to Corey Chumney for having this special and well received idea!! #jefferystrong
Additional comments:
Article written by: Paul Tollefson
Jeffery, he stutters as he slowly tells me his name. If you are lucky enough to live in Bluffton, and own a watercraft, you have crossed paths with Jeffery.
Jeffery is here at the boat landing, it’s 7:12 am and I casually strike up a conversation. I’ve met Jeffery many times, and it’s usually under the same circumstances. We are both down here trying to clear our mind, as we stare at the salty May, small ripples of waves tell us that the dolphins are feeding.
I’m down here, listening to Jimmy Buffett, I ask him his favorite music. He glances up, as if to calculate a response, “anything but that heavy metal” he slowly replies
Jeffery doesn’t receive a paycheck, nor benefits, Jeffery works from sun up to sun down, as a deck hand. He is employed by no one, yet tells me he is helping Mr. Toomer and the town of Bluffton. Jeffery works for tips and asks nothing from anyone. He tells me that yesterday he made $80 and a few beers
Jeffery is from Columbia SC and yes he is a gamecock fan through and through. He tells me his story of his father and aunt, who cared for him passing away, and now lives with his uncle on Myrtle island . He is up early, as to not wake his uncle, he jumps on his bike and treks the 2.5 miles over to the oyster factory launch, as Toomers salty shrimp boat “daddy’s girls” softly sways to the current.
As I’m writing this, Mr. Toomer, a Bluffton native and huge influence on this town, a man I’ve been lucky enough to hunt with,pulls up. I quickly give him a southern nod and tell him I’m writing this. His words “ Jeffery is a positive for our growing community, he does nothing wrong and greets people with a smiling face”
Unfortunately I’ve seen the ugly side of this quaint town. Many of occasions I’ve seen people yell and cuss at Jeffery, “get your hands off my boat” . My fighting days are gone, but that gets the old blood flowing. Jeffery quietly walks away, flips his towel over his shoulder and continues to direct traffic and boats as they come in.
I ask Jeffery about his youth. Again he glances up, apologies to the lord and says “ I’ve been to two high schools because a lot of people were assholes,but I graduated from Brookland Cacye high school. “He says this with a smile as he changes his phone radio to Travis tritt. “I like a few of his songs”
I slowly ask Jeffery questions, gaining his trust. I ask him about his love for football and his love for country music. I ask him if he likes it here, he replies “ clouds are gonna go away, gonna be a nice day”
A toothless smile appears as I ask Jeffery if I can take his picture, as I’m writing a short blurb about him. He slings his dirty towel over his shoulder, pulls his worn out under armour shirt over his small belly and smiles like he’s the happiest man on earth.
This is Jeffery, this is Bluffton. Be nice
Any additional proceeds will be donated to Jeffery.
Thank you for all your support and to Corey Chumney for having this special and well received idea!! #jefferystrong