In order to welcome each solder’s family upon arrival and to be certain they get to their Hilton Head Island home without difficulty, we assign a Greeter Family. This family (couple or individual) is asked to make a small time commitment and in return receives tons of gratitude from the soldiers.

The Greeter Family's responsibilities are listed below. If you are interested in giving a little of your time to thank our military men and women for their huge role in helping keep us secure, please complete the application form and email as directed.

Greeter Responsibilities

1. Contact the family to welcome them to Operation R & R and to arrange a time to meet them when they come to the island. The Hilton Head Welcome Center near the north end Crazy Crab on 278 is easy to find and will be on their side of the road after they come over the bridge. Most Greeters have found this convenient, but feel free to choose a spot that suits both you and your family.

Please call your assigned military family within 48 hours of receiving their name and contact information.

Verify that the family has emailed the information required by the rental company. The contract is necessary to be able to cover damages if they occur. No charge is made to the veteran for the lodging however.

Suggest that the family view the Directory provided on our website under APPLY/Directory. SPA appointments must be made in advance. During your call you may need to answer any questions they may have about the island.

2. Contact the rental agency. They will verify the lodging arrangements and tell you when the unit is available.

3. The day before the scheduled arrival date pick up the key to the villa/home at the rental agency. A gate pass should be provided for you. Your family will have a pass in their tote as well. Unfortunately, if your family’s lodging is in Sea Pines, there will be a five dollar charge to the Greeter. (Sea Pines will not bend on this. Sorry.) Be aware also that check in time is 4 PM and check out time is 10 am. Let your soldier know about the check out time. Ask the agency when you will be able to look at the lodging in advance of the soldier’s arrival.

At the same time pick up an Operation R & R gift bag/tote from the property management company which should be placed in the villa/home. It contains food items, maps, Hilton Head information, a grocery gift card, and the Operation R & R directory. The directory includes information that explains the various discounts offered by restaurants and recreational facilities. This will be used frequently during the week by the family as they identify themselves to the participating merchants on the island. Look over the directory so you understand it enough to explain it to the soldier and his/her family. Please provide any additional information that you think would be helpful about the various recreational opportunities and restaurants.

(If your rental company is The Vacation Company or RMC Properties, please call Heidi Daly at 689-6589 to pick up your tote. We are unable to store our totes with these companies.)

A gift card for a grocery store should be in the tote. Point it out to the family, please.

You will find an ID card in the gift tote that we would like you to fill out in advance. The family will need to show this in order to receive discounts as they visit the establishments listed in the Directory. Please write the name of the family and list the specific number of family members. Indicate the dates of their visit as well. Include your name and phone number also. It is helpful to laminate the card. (It costs $1.50 at Staples). Please explain to the family that it will be necessary to show this card to the merchants to receive their discounts.

Also, please point out that there is a thank you note in the tote bag. Make sure that the address of the rental company and the villa number are on the envelope. Ask the soldier to write a note to the homeowner about their experience on Hilton Head and mail it as they leave the island (the rental company will pass it on to the appropriate property owner).

5. The day of arrival meet the family at the chosen location and escort them to the assigned home or villa. You will present them with the gift bag/tote and explain the way the gift program works.

• Please let the family know of special events that will be taking place on the island while visiting.
• Check to see if the literature in the tote is current. Each rental agency has extras if needed.
• If children are involved, let the family know of the opportunities at the Art Café and the Sandbox.
• If the adults want to have a spa treatment while they visit the island, reservations must be made as soon as they arrive on the island (it would be better if they could do it in advance of arrival).

Once the family is settled in their lodging and they understand a bit about how to navigate the island, it is suggested that you exit. The purpose of Operation R & R is to give couples a chance to reconnect. They have, by necessity, become very self sufficient. However, please remain available by phone to give assistance if needed. A follow up phone call before they leave would also be a nice touch.

No Greeter family is required to do any more for the soldier and his/her family. They are most appreciative of what we are providing them here on Hilton Head Island. However, if you so choose, you are welcome to show your appreciation for their service in any other manner you wish.

Click here to Download Greeter Form