No Marine Graduates Alone: Gilligan’s Supports the S.A.M. Project

Some Marines graduate Boot Camp without a single person in the crowd cheering for them.

No family. No friends. No familiar face waiting to celebrate one of the biggest accomplishments of their life.

That is the reality for Stand Alone Marines — Marines who graduate Boot Camp at Parris Island without family or friends in attendance, or who return from deployment without support waiting for them. The S.A.M. Project exists to make sure those Marines still feel seen, supported, and celebrated.

At Gilligan’s Seafood Restaurant, we are proud to support the S.A.M. Project donation drive for Stand Alone Marines in partnership with the Military Overseas Package Project, also known as M.O.P.P.

This guide explains what the S.A.M. Project is, what items are needed, and how you can donate at Gilligan’s through June 30.

From May 16 through June 30, donation bins are available at all Gilligan’s locations. Guests and community members can drop off individually sized, air-travel-safe items that will be packed into goodie bags for Stand Alone Marines at Parris Island.

What Is the S.A.M. Project?

S.A.M. stands for Stand Alone Marine.

The S.A.M. Project is part of the Military Overseas Package Project, a nonprofit founded in 2008 by the wife of a local Parris Island Marine Drill Instructor. Its mission is simple but powerful: to make sure no Marine graduates from Parris Island without feeling celebrated.

Through community donations, M.O.P.P. volunteers assemble goodie bags filled with snacks, hygiene items, games, gift cards, and handwritten notes. Each bag is a reminder that even if a Marine does not have loved ones in the crowd, their community is still proud of them.

Why Gilligan’s Is Supporting the S.A.M. Project

Parris Island is part of the Lowcountry community. The Marines who train and graduate there are not strangers to us. They are part of the place we call home.

That is why this donation drive matters.

A small item may not feel like much when you drop it into a bin. But to a Marine receiving it on graduation day, it can mean something much bigger. It can say:

You are seen.
You are appreciated.
You are not alone.

Gilligan’s is helping make it easier for the community to participate by placing donation bins at all Gilligan’s locations through June 30.

What to Donate for the S.A.M. Project

If you are looking for military care package ideas or wondering what to bring, here are the approved donation items listed for the S.A.M. Project.

All items must be individually sized and air-travel safe so they can be packed separately into goodie bags.

Snacks and Drinks

• Beef jerky
• Chips
• Cookies
• Candy or fudge
• Trail mix
• Granola or power bars
• Tuna packets
• Gum or mints
• Bottled water
• Gatorade

Entertainment and Activities

• Puzzle books
• Playing cards
• Travel games
• Paperback books
• Disposable cameras
• Pens and stationery

Hygiene and Travel Essentials

• Travel-size toothbrushes and toothpaste
• Deodorant
• Hand sanitizer
• Tissues
• Other travel-size hygiene items
• Drawstring bags

Special Items

• Fast food gift cards
• Handwritten congratulation notes
• Homemade goodies, if individually packed and approved for donation

The campaign materials also highlight snacks, hygiene items, games, gift cards, and handwritten notes as key items used in the goodie bags for Stand Alone Marines.

The Donation That Costs Nothing but Means Everything

One of the most meaningful things you can donate does not cost anything.

A handwritten note.

For a Marine graduating without family or friends in the stands, a simple message from a stranger can make a powerful difference. It does not need to be long or perfect. It just needs to be real.

You can write something as simple as:

“We are proud of you, Marine.”

“Congratulations. You did it.”

“Thank you for your service.”

“Welcome home.”

The campaign materials specifically highlight handwritten notes as one of the most emotional and shareable ways to support a Stand Alone Marine because they cost $0 but can mean everything.

Bring your note to any Gilligan’s location and drop it in the S.A.M. Project donation bin. Gilligan’s will help make sure it gets to M.O.P.P. and into the hands of a Marine who needs it.

How to Donate at Gilligan’s

Supporting the S.A.M. Project is simple.

1. Visit any Gilligan’s location.
2. Look for the S.A.M. Project donation bin.
3. Drop off individually sized, air-travel-safe donation items.
4. Gilligan’s collects and delivers the donations to M.O.P.P.
5. M.O.P.P. volunteers assemble the goodie bags for Stand Alone Marines at Parris Island.

Every snack, gift card, hygiene item, and handwritten note helps fill a bag with community love.

One item. One Marine. Huge difference.

How You Can Help Today

The S.A.M. Project donation drive for Stand Alone Marines runs through June 30 at all Gilligan’s locations.

Here are simple ways you can help:

• Bring individually sized snacks, drinks, or hygiene items.
• Donate a fast food gift card.
• Write a handwritten note of encouragement.
• Share this Gilligan’s blog post with someone who may want to help.
• Invite your family to bring one item the next time you visit Gilligan’s.

If you are dining with your family, this can be a meaningful way to teach children about gratitude, service, and supporting the people who serve our country. Before or after dropping off donations, you can also view the Gilligan’s menu and make it part of your next family meal.

Help Us Make Sure No Marine Graduates Alone

The mission of the S.A.M. Project is simple: no Marine graduates without feeling celebrated.

Gilligan’s is honored to help support that mission, and we invite our community to be part of it.

Stop by any Gilligan’s location before June 30, bring one approved donation item, write a note, or help spread the word.

Together, we can help remind every Stand Alone Marine that their community is proud of them.

Come see us. Bring something. Write a note. Help us make sure no Marine graduates alone.

Questions About the Donation Drive?

For questions about Gilligan’s locations or general information, please contact Gilligan’s.

Donate at Any Gilligan’s Location Through June 30

Support the S.A.M. Project donation drive for Stand Alone Marines by dropping off individually sized, air-travel-safe items at any Gilligan’s location.

Bring snacks, hygiene items, fast food gift cards, travel essentials, or a handwritten note.

One item. One Marine. Huge difference.