Community Foundation of the Lowcountry

Mitzi Ganelin

A child of the Depression, Mitzi Ganelin grew up in a caring family always knowing she had a center and was loved. "Other children whose home life was not so good often came to our house because of my mother's caring nature," said Mitzi. It is easy to see the results of that caring nature in Mitzi Ganelin. After moving to Hilton Head Island permanently in 1991, she sought out ways to become involved. In her words, "I didn't have a story and needed to create one." She soon became involved with Hospice by first attending a board meeting. Her reasons were personal as her son David suffered from cancer and would all too soon pass away in 2001. She also became involved with Friends of the Library, funding children's books and science fiction writings - her son David's favorite. Other areas of interest includes the high school drama program, Women in Philanthropy, the Hilton Head Choral Society, and literacy programs - all supported through her fund at the Community Foundation of the Lowcountry. "I'm really pleased with what the community foundation has done," said Mitzi, "it invites all kind of people to make a difference in their community." She is constantly reminded of the giving nature of people - her family, friends, and neighbors - like the abundance of the gardens of the Lowcountry. And she, like them, carries her blossoms with her, wherever she is planted.