Where Your Donation Dollars Go with LENS

A Midyear Update from the Isle of Palms Law Enforcement Neighborhood Support (LENS) Foundation

“It’s fair to ask, where do the funds go? What am I helping to support?” says IOP LENS Foundation Director Ted Kinghorn. “We love answering that question—because behind every dollar is a meaningful impact made possible by our incredible volunteers and generous donors.”

And there’s certainly a lot to share.

As we hit the halfway point of the year, the IOP LENS Foundation has already made significant strides in its mission to support the Isle of Palms Police and Fire Departments, bridging the gap between community generosity and critical departmental needs.

Supporting Our Departments, One Program at a Time

From emergency training to ice cream runs, LENS is deeply integrated into the day-to-day support of IOPFD and IOPPD and neighboring communities. Some of the highlights so far in 2025 include:

• Donating 25 units of SEAL wound treatment to Sullivan’s Island Police Department to ensure officers have access to lifesaving emergency response tools.

• Sponsoring local college interns placed with the IOPPD—giving students career experience while supporting department operations.

• Hosting the Wild Child Youth Triathlon at Wild Dunes, a beloved community event that promotes wellness and youth engagement on the island.

• Organizing the annual May fundraising banquet at Islander 71, which celebrated our first responders with awards and recognition while raising significant funds to continue our mission.

“This year’s banquet was a blast,” says Kinghorn. “The theme was a neighborhood block party, and that’s exactly how it felt—like the whole community showed up to celebrate and support the people who keep us safe. It was also a chance to publicly recognize not only our first responders, but also our dedicated volunteers and community supporters who make our Public Safety Awards program possible”

Stepping In When It Matters Most

Behind the scenes, LENS is also quietly stepping in when unexpected financial hardship strikes the men and women in uniform.

“Did you know that on average, we receive 1 to 2 hardship requests a month?” says Kinghorn. “These are things like help with rent, appliance failure, automotive expenses, or unexpected medical costs. Our board reviews each case and—more often than not—we grant the relief they need.”

Fire Chief Oliverius underscores just how vital that support is:

“Inflation has gone through the roof, and life happens. Firefighters are not immune. Knowing there’s a mechanism like LENS that can step in creatively and nimbly when one of our guys is stuck—it’s a huge asset and blessing.”

Training, Innovation, and Mental Wellness

LENS doesn’t just respond to emergencies—it enables the departments to grow and innovate. This includes wellness training through MUSC, new flood response protocols, and other specialty programs that fall outside the city’s budget.

“These types of training initiatives are essential,” Oliverius continues. “The city didn’t have the budget at the time, but because of LENS we could fund year one, show the value, and then the city picks it up in the operational budget going forward. That’s the kind of forward-thinking LENS empowers.”

Building Morale—One Treat at a Time

And sometimes, it’s the little things that go the longest way.

“We really appreciate the ice cream that gets delivered on holiday weekends,” says Police Chief Kevin Cornett. “It may sound silly, but when it’s hot out and the officers have been working hard, getting a sweet treat on a break lifts morale in a big way.”

LENS has also committed to sponsoring back-to-school gift cards this August for first responders with children—helping to ease what can be a financially stressful time of year. “School supplies can get expensive,” Cornett says. “That kind of support means a lot to our officers and their families.”

Community Engagement at the Heart of It All

LENS also continues to fund and organize large-scale community events that bring residents and first responders together.

• National Night Out, held on October 7 this year, is one of the most beloved events on the island. “That event is all about bringing everyone together—businesses, nonprofits, families—so we can all work together to make Isle of Palms a safe, connected community,” says Chief Cornett.

• The Firefighter Appreciation Night at Islander 71 will return this October 9^th during National Fire Prevention Week.

• The IOPPD Annual Awards Banquet in December, fully sponsored by LENS, will honor the hard work and dedication of our police officers.

• The October 2025 Public Safety Open House, scheduled for October 10^th from 4-6pm at the Public Safety Building, will provide an interactive opportunity for the community to meet first responders, tour the stations, learn safety protocols, and kids will enjoy cotton candy, rock climbing, an inflatable fire house, learn to use a fire hose, and more! 

• The May 2026 Isle of Palms Hurricane Expo, another LENS-supported initiative, will provide crucial preparation tools and resources ahead of hurricane season.

  
  

“These events wouldn’t happen without LENS,” says Cornett. “From the logistics to the funding, they help us make it all possible.”

Beyond the Badge

The support extends past the uniforms. Earlier this year, LENS pledged $15,000 to Sullivan’s Island Elementary School to help fund resources for our youngest learners—because safety and community wellness start early.

Additionally, the LENS Education Scholarship Program continues to provide financial assistance to spouses and school-age children of first responders pursuing educational goals. It’s one more way LENS helps support the long-term wellbeing and growth of the families who serve Isle of Palms every day.

“LENS does so much behind the scenes,” Kinghorn says. “We’ve become an integral part of IOPFD and IOPPD operations, and we love it. Our job is to serve those who serve us. And none of it would be possible without the generosity of our donors and the commitment of our volunteers.”

And the feeling is mutual.

“There are so many reasons we love LENS,” says Fire Chief Oliverius. “They allow us to stay on the cutting edge, to be proactive, to train smarter, and to feel supported by the very community we serve.”

As we look ahead to the rest of the year, one thing is clear: thanks to our generous donors, volunteers, and community partners, LENS will continue to stand shoulder to shoulder with our city’s finest—through every shift, every hardship, and every opportunity to make Isle of Palms stronger, safer, and more connected.