CHEC General Manager Susan Flythe presents a check to HICF’s Wendi Munden with daughters Cami & Gwen.

(Reprinted from the Island Free Press)

The Cape Hatteras Electric Cooperative (CHEC) recently presented grants to two local Hatteras Island nonprofit organizations that were made possible through the CoBank Sharing Success Grant Program. CoBank is a national cooperative bank that serves rural areas.

CHEC gave $2,500 to the Hatteras Island Cancer Foundation (HICF), which was met with an additional $2,500 from CoBank, to support the Foundation’s mission of providing financial assistance to cancer patients and their families living on Hatteras Island. HICF is an all-volunteer, non-profit organization that works to raise funds to help with medical bills, prescriptions, and travel expenses.

The cooperative also gave $2,500 to the Outer Banks Buddies, which was met with an additional $2,500 from CoBank. The Outer Banks Buddies is modeled after the national ‘Big Brothers, Big Sisters of America’ program. The group pairs buddies, or volunteers, with youth and elderly residents of Hatteras, to create new connections and encourage participation in local activities. The Outer Banks Buddies hopes to host several fall activities on the island coordinated with Dare County Schools and Dare County Social Services.

These donations were made possible through CoBank’s “Sharing Success” charitable contribution program, which celebrates the vital role that cooperatives play in individual communities across the country.

“Concern for community is a long-standing cooperative principle,” stated CHEC in an announcement about the grant awards. “CHEC is happy to join CoBank in support of these worthy causes, as the cooperative works to provide value to members and support the communities on Hatteras Island.”

From left: Outer Banks Buddies volunteers Ashlee Garcia, Melissa Herman, Jennifer Meekins and Whitney Dempsey with CHEC’s Laura Ertle (middle)

The Hatteras Island Cancer Foundation’s brunch was invaded by a Mrs. Roper Romp. Photo by Jennifer Paddock.

Reprinted from the Island Free Press

The Hatteras Island Cancer Foundation’s St. Patrick’s Day Brunch attracted a colorful crowd of residents, visitors, and a stylish pack of Mrs. Ropers who took a break from their “Three’s Company” world, (and collective husband Stanley Roper), to invade Hatteras Island for the day.

The brunch was a sold-out event that featured live music by Rory Kelleher, mimosas, a full buffet, a Selfie Station, and a Bloody Mary bar, as well as raffles with prizes donated by generous local businesses.

Hatteras Island Cancer Foundation Vice President Donna Barnett said that the March 17 brunch was an extremely successful initiative, raising an estimated $6,500 for the local foundation.

As a result, the St. Patrick’s Day Brunch will become a new annual tradition for the HICF, alongside the many other events that the HICF hosts as fundraisers every year.

The HICF is an all-volunteer and non-profit organization that supports cancer patients and their families living on Hatteras Island. Founded in December 2000, the foundation’s primary goal is to raise funds to provide financial assistance for medical bills, prescriptions, travel expenses, and other needs that might not be taken care of by insurance.

To date, the Hatteras Island Cancer Foundation has assisted over 234 islanders with cancer and their families with grants in excess of $1,000,000.

“We’re delighted with the big turnout, the enthusiasm, and all of the donations raised for the Cancer Foundation at the St. Patrick’s Day Brunch,” said Barnett. “It was definitely an event to be remembered, and we’re grateful for everyone who came and for everyone who continues to support our Hatteras Island community members and neighbors in need.”

Photo courtesy of the Hatteras Island Cancer Foundation

Photo courtesy of the Hatteras Island Cancer Foundation

Photo courtesy of the Hatteras Island Cancer Foundation

Photo courtesy of the Hatteras Island Cancer Foundation

Photo courtesy of the Hatteras Island Cancer Foundation

Photo courtesy of the Hatteras Island Cancer Foundation

Photo courtesy of the Hatteras Island Cancer Foundation

Photo courtesy of the Hatteras Island Cancer Foundation

Kylie Philips – 1st Place, High School

Hatteras Island is full of some amazingly talented artists, especially our students. Hatteras Island Cancer Foundation board members decided to give these artists a chance to be seen.

They started their first student outreach program with the help of Cape Hatteras Secondary School art teacher Justin Paxton. “Artists Creating for a Cause” challenged both middle and high school students to use their creative minds and develop a piece to go along with the theme “a light through the fight.”

The winners receive a cash prize, and their artwork printed on totes is available for purchase through HICF. HICF will be donating 25% of the profits from each bag to the art program at CHSS. When you purchase a tote, you will be supporting both HICF and the art program at CHSS.

So many magnificent pieces were turned in it was difficult to choose. After a meeting of the board members to cast their votes, the winners for the school year 2022-2023 are high school student, Kylie Philips and middle school student Kathrine Boswell.

Kathrine Boswell – 1st Place, Middle School