Let’s talk about a legacy, Ida Martin’s legacy. If I could leave half of a legacy as this special woman, I would be so humbled. Who was Ida Martin? Mrs. Martin was a wife, a mother, a daughter and a creator. She saw a need and she filled it. In 1987, Mrs. Martin started Bluffton Self Help, a non-profit organization, to assist working families and elderly people in the Lowcountry with food, clothing, shelter and emergency services. Bluffton Self Help started where most great ideas do, in her garage. It is now located in a 6,500 square foot building in Bluffton, South Carolina.
Mrs. Martin’s spirit of servitude even reached the ears of President Barack Obama. In 2011, he invited Mrs. Martin to the White House to award her with the Presidential Citizens Medal in honor of her work assisting families, disabled and elderly residents in her community. What an honor!
In 2012, Mrs. Martin founded the Bluffton Community Soup Kitchen. The soup kitchen serves hot meals twice a week, while also providing the community with fresh produce, meats and other food items to last throughout the week. Anyone who is in need can come and be served at Bluffton Community Soup Kitchen, no questions asked. Though the soup kitchen was started by Mrs. Martin, since her passing, it is ran by her daughter, Constance Martin-Witter.
How does the community, whose lives have been changed and uplifted by such a remarkable woman, honor her? They give her a day. A day to remember all the kindness Mrs. Martin spread in the world and to encourage others to live by her example. April 4th is Ida Martin Day. How else does the community honor Mrs. Martin along with her husband, Jacob Martin? They named a park after them. It is a really nice park that host the Farmer’s Market weekly, the town’s Christmas tree (as see above) and even wedding ceremonies.
Mrs. Ida Martin isn’t just a name, she is a legacy. She left behind two organizations that continue to serve the community and to grow with each passing year. Now, that is the type of legacy I want to leave! It’s not about having your own day or your name on a park, it is about the lives you touch, people you help and the uplifting of people’s spirits. Mrs. Martin knew her God given mission and she stepped into it wholeheartedly.
Unfortunately, I did not get the opportunity to meet Mrs. Martin, but I continue to hear all of the wonderful stories about her. I also get to help out occasionally at the Bluffton Community Soup Kitchen, snapping green beans, peeling potatoes and Covid testing. I am happy to assist and help keep Mrs. Martin’s legacy alive. You can read more about Ida Martin at these links.
https://www.hiltonheadmonthly.com/people/intriguing-people/826-intriguing-people-ida-martin
Spread love and kindness on April 4th, just as Mrs. Martin did every day. And if you are in Bluffton, South Carolina, attend the festivities for Ida Martin Day. Here is a link with all the details.
Be well and whole. Much Love 🧡💚