Gregg Russell

Come Away Home, written by Kat Shehata, is a Benjamin Franklin Award winner. It is a film about a girl named Annie that is forced to stay with her grandfather on Hilton Head Island one summer. The movie was filmed exclusively on Hilton Head Island during the summer of 2004 and was released in 2005.[6] Russell made his debut as a performer who lost his family in a tragic accident and befriends Annie. Through their friendship, they find the feeling of belonging, and overcome some similar tragedies in their family situations.[7] This film was made by American Family Movies, Stephen M. Zakman Productions and was directed by Doug McKeon.[6] Most of the reviews were negative, with a minority of positive reviews. One of the many reviews on Flixster.com was, "Sweet movie about realizing what you have and not squandering it. A touching movie the classic coming of age city girl in the country realizing there is more to the world than malls and city fun."[8] Another review on the movie Come Away Home, is found in the Atlanta Journal-Constitution, "Some of the acting was unprofessional but otherwise a great family movie to watch with your kids."[9]

Russell stars as the camp counselor in the movie production of Camp Tanglefoot. He not only had a star role in the movie, he also produced it. Camp Tanglefoot was filmed at Camp Highlander in North Carolina and was released in 1999. The film went on to win Best Children's Live Action video in 2000.[10] According to Russell's official website, greggrussell.com, "It shocked dozens when the video sold out in four days." The video "went gold" in the initial release, which indicates a million dollar in sales. It has numerous children's songs written and performed exclusively by Gregg Russell himself.[11] According to a review on Amazon.com, "The message of the video brings families heartwarming drama and good, clean entertainment."[12]

Russell is cofounder and president of Hilton Head Heroes, a nonprofit charitable organization.[2] His wife, Lindy Russell, is the other cofounder and the executive director.[13] This philanthropic venture was started in 1998. As reported by hhheroes.com, "Gregg was traveling around the country entertaining, and after his performances he would go to local hospitals in the area and sing for the sick children there."[14] Gregg and Lindy adored the children and knew what a great time the kids would have if they could have a week at the beach away from the hospitals with their families; this is how Hilton Head Heroes was born.[15] The reported mission is to help families with children ages 4–18 who suffer from serious illnesses, by providing them with a weeklong vacation away from doctors and hospital stays.[2][16] Hilton Head Heroes spends approximately 1,500 dollars per family to help with lodging, meals, gas money, gift certificates, many family activities, and day camps, such as, miniature golf, boating, beach toys, and many more. The families are housed in the Hilton Head Island HERO house located in Sea Pines Resort.[17] Donations from businesses and individuals keep this project running. Lindy Russell searches for potential children and their families through the Medical University of South Carolina and Backus Children's Hospital in Savannah, Georgia. They narrow it down by choosing families that can not afford a vacation.[18]

Lids for Kids are another program that was started as an extension of Hilton Head Heroes. Over the past few years, this program distributed over 1,000 baseball style hats to children that had chemotherapy treatments.[5]