Family Promise of Beaufort County Shines the Spotlight on George Utter

As a volunteer driven organization, we are shining the spotlight each month on one of our dedicated volunteers who are the heart of Family Promise. They work tirelessly and greatly deserve our thanks and recognition!

In July, we shine the Volunteer Spotlight on George Utter, coordinator for Family Promise activities at St. Mark’s Episcopal Church in Port Royal.  George and his volunteers work with those from St. Peter’s Catholic Church and Lady’s Island Baptist Church in support of the host congregation, St. John’s Lutheran, all in the Beaufort area.  Thanks to their combined efforts, these volunteers provide Family Promise guests with meals and a week of overnight stays four times a year.

When asked about his long-time commitment to Family Promise George says, “There is satisfaction in impacting homelessness right here close to home.” St Mark’s, as many churches, supports missions all around the world. However, George believes it’s also important to assist homeless families locally. He adds, “I also enjoy seeing the kiddos react when they get off the Family Promise bus and see a volunteer they have come to know. There are smiles and often some big hugs.”

George and his wife, Judy, (as well as Pete the Pug, their rescue dog, and Mosby, their cat) moved from Chesapeake, Va. to the Low Country in 2013.  After lots of research and many trips to towns across the southeast, they moved from their home of 16 years to Broomfield Creek on Lady’s Island. Prior to living in Chesapeake, they made 23 moves in 41 years as George was in the Army and in industry and with an Other Government Agency (OGA) in and out of Iraq.

Extremely committed to St. Mark’s, George is a lay Eucharist minister, a sacristan, a Gospel bearer and an acolyte. “Yes,” he says, “acolytes are usually younger folks, but at our church age demographics come into play.” As a church leader, George assists in preparing for Sunday services at the current temporary site at the Historic Union Church in Port Royal. “You might say we ourselves are homeless,” he says about St. Mark’s congregation which is in the process of making that site their permanent church home.

George has many interests and participates in a broad spectrum of activities. Three mornings a week you will find him on the water with the Beaufort Rowing Club. He supports by kayak in the YMCA’s Annual River Swim, volunteers for the Spirit of America Summer Boating Camp, and has served on his neighborhood Home Owners Association Board and currently serves on two HOA committees.

George and Judy are proud grandparents.  Their son Jon and his wife Shannon, who live in Alabama, have Connor, their seven year old son. The family is excited about the impending arrival of another grandchild.  Son Matthew and his wife, Barbara, who live in Long Island City, New York, are expecting a baby in July.

George exemplifies the dedicated volunteers who enable Family Promise to provide ongoing assistance to homeless families and their children.  To all of these volunteers we extend our endless thanks!