Mission
Our mission is to raise proceeds for local not-for-profit organizations through our annual Tiger Bass 5k, 10k Race and our 1 Mile Fun Run, a running and walking event held each October in Hampton Lake.
History
What is the Annual Hampton Lake Tiger Bass Race/Walk Event and the Hampton Lake Tiger Bass Race Charitable Fund?
The Annual Hampton Lake Tiger Bass Race/Walk Event originated in 2008. At that time there were approximately 40 homes in Hampton Lake and a group of residents organized a committee to conduct a 5K road race through the community with the specific purpose of creating a social and fun event which would develop a sense of “community” within the newly established development and hopefully generate funds that would be donated to a local charity. The initial race had approximately 50 participants who completed the course on a wet and soggy day. Over the years, not only has the resident population of Hampton Lake grown, but, significantly the resident involvement as race participants, volunteers, and sponsor contributors to the level where the 13th Annual Hampton Lake Tiger Bass Race/Walk Event conducted in October 2019 had over 300 race participants, 100 volunteers and over 50 sponsors which made it the most successful event to date. Due to the virus Pandemic, an abbreviated Event was conducted in 2020 for only Hampton Lake residents – over 100 Hampton Lake residents participated in a 5K walk and raised over $4,000 for a local charity.
The Hampton Lake Tiger Bass Race Committee (The Committee) is comprised of a group of residents, both running and non-running enthusiasts, who have guided the event to the level it is today.
Each year, the Committee has selected local charities to be the beneficiary of the net proceeds generated by the Race/Walk Event. From 2008 to 2020, over $205,000 has been donated to the various selected beneficiary charities.
In 2015, the Committee decided to expand the scope of the Event, and in doing so. designated two local charities to be the beneficiary charities of the Event. Each charity received an equal (50/50) amount of the net proceeds. In addition to being a local charity, the Committee required that a Hampton Lake resident had to be actively involved with the charity and also agree to be actively involved with the Committee for the period the charity was a designated beneficiary. A designated beneficiary had a maximum term of two years to be a beneficiary. At the end of the two year period, it could be considered to be a beneficiary in a future Race/Walk Event.
In 2015, the Committee also decided to formalize the financial and legal structure of the Annual Hampton Lake Tiger Bass Race/Walk Event and create a charitable fund – “The Hampton Lake Tiger Bass Race Charitable Fund.” In conjunction with the new structure, the Committee also decided to associate with the Community Foundation of the Low Country (CFLC), a fully tax exempt organization as described under Section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. CFLC administers all of the financial transactions of the Event and provides investment options for fund balances retained and significant opportunities for potential donors living and working in the Low Country to make contributions to our fund since it appears on CFLC’s menu of charitable organizations in their marketing publications and website.
In 2018, the Committee decided to initiate a grant application process, whereby charitable organizations that assist residents living in the Bluffton area could submit grant applications to the Hampton Lake Tiger Bass Race Charitable Fund Committee to be considered for a grant that would benefit the general Bluffton Community. Submission of a grant application with supporting documentation would be reviewed by the Committee and grants would be approved based on the needs of the charity, diversity of programs to be selected and the amount generated by the Event. Eligible organizations must be focused on health, education, social services, community services, ecology, animal care and other services that benefit the general Bluffton Community.
The 14th Annual Hampton Lake Tiger Bass Race/Walk Event is scheduled for Saturday, October 29, 2022 at 9 AM. The Event consists of a 5K Race/Walk, a 10K Race and a 1 Mile Fun Run/Walk for the younger children and adults who wish to participate in a shorter distance. The Committee’s goal for this year’s Event is to generate $35,000 to be shared with various local charities.
WE NEED YOUR HELP TO REACH OUR GOAL
Please consider making a generous contribution to this Event. It is the largest and primary charitable outreach program of Hampton Lake to make a significant contribution to the less fortunate residents within the Bluffton Community.
