Executive director of Boys and Girls Club of Bluffton abruptly fired after over 25 years of service

by Aaron Dixon

BLUFFTON, SC. (WTOC) - WTOC is working to get answers about the abrupt firing of the executive director of the Bluffton Boys and Girls Club.

She was let go from the position and has now been joined by community members trying to figure out why.

We talked to her and learned what the organization is saying about the issue.

Lowcountry community rallying behind the former employee

Over 800 community members around the Lowcountry are rallying behind the former employee after she was fired following over 25 years of service to the organization.

For 27 years, Molly Hornbeak worked for the Boys and Girls Club of Bluffton in several roles, including executive director.

“I am proud of the impact we made in the Bluffton community,” said Hornbeak.

From when the club operated out of dilapidated trailers behind town hall to now, when the organization has its very own building.

“If you walked into that club on any day, there was respect, there was dignity to those kids, and there was a love that you really don’t see in something so large,” Former Bluffton Mayor, Lisa Sulka said.

At the end of September, Hornbeak says she was called into a lawyer’s office, where she was given two options.

Either sign a Separation and Release Agreement, which includes a 14-day severance and a gag order, or be terminated immediately.

Hornbeak says they told her her work performance with the club was low, which caught her off guard because she wasn’t given any sort of performance evaluation and, to her knowledge, no one had filed a complaint against her.

WTOC speaks with Hornbeak following her firing

Since that firing, residents have rallied behind Hornbeak and are asking for Hornbeak to receive a public apology from the club, a year’s worth of severance pay, and to be allowed back on the property to visit the club.

“This is not the farewell I had envisioned, but I’m standing proud and I’m holding my head up high for all the deep commitment that we’ve made and the accomplishments we’ve made with the community,” said Hornbeak.

We reached out to the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Lowcountry about this.

The organization declined to comment directly, saying personnel matters are confidential. A spokesperson said they’re aware of the petition and that they’re still committed to club members, families, and the community.