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
Coins for Cancer at Cape Hatteras Elementary brings in more than $3,200 in donations
(Reprinted from the Island Free Press)
Every year in November, Cape Hatteras Elementary School (CHES) students bring in handfuls of spare change, bills, and checks in order to raise money for the Hatteras Island Cancer Foundation, and in 2024, the students came together to raise a staggering $3,225.52 for their local friends and neighbors.
The Hatteras Island Cancer Foundation (HICF) is a non-profit, all-volunteer organization that assists Hatteras Island community members with medical bills not covered by insurance, and travel expenses for cancer treatments. Since it was founded in 2000, the HICF has assisted hundreds of islanders with cancer and their families, with grants in excess of $1,000,000.
The annual “Coins for Cancer” event is a school-wide venture and competition that rewards the winning class (or the class that raises the most funds) with a cupcake party. This year, Kim Martin of KM Creations donated the cupcakes.
In 2024, Ms. Johanna Hernandez’s 5th grade class took home the first-place honor – and the cupcakes – by raising a total of $483.85 for HICF.
Second place went to Mrs. Jillian Willis’ 2nd grade class with $401.10 in donations, and third place went to Karla Willis’ kindergarten class with a total of $367.50.
“Every year, the children look forward to this special event,” stated Donna Barnett of HICF in an update on this year’s Coins for Cancer event. “We visit each class to share what HICF stands for and explain our mission of raising funds to support members in our community affected by cancer. We feel truly privileged that Cape Hatteras Elementary opens its doors to us, allowing us not only to raise money but also to teach empathy to the children.
“Our hope is that this experience will leave a lasting impression on them,” added Barnett. “This fundraiser is my favorite HICF fundraiser because it gives us the chance to help instill the importance of community service in young minds. And the children really grasp the concept.”
The Coins for Cancer event was held during the week November 18-22, with the winning cupcake party held on December 6.
For more information about the Hatteras Island Cancer Foundation, (and to make a donation in time for the holidays), please visit their website at www.hicf.org.
HICF founding member Donna Peele honored at annual 5K Race… WITH SLIDESHOW
CHEC awards Sharing Success Grants to Hatteras Island Cancer Foundation and Outer Banks Buddies
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)
HICF Chowder Cookoff raises over $2,700
Winner of HICF 50/50 raffle donates $1,200 of winnings back to foundation
Wayne Crisco won the HICF 50/50 raffle at the 2024 Hatteras Village Offshore Open and donated $1,200 of his winnings back to the Hatteras Island Cancer Foundation.
Paddle Palooza will be held in June to benefit the HICF
Sponsors for the popular annual event are currently being accepted, and businesses and individuals can learn more about sponsorship packages by clicking here or by emailing Wendi Munden.
More details about the June Paddle Palooza and how folks can sign up for the race and festivities will be available soon.
HI Cancer Foundation’s St. Patrick’s Day Brunch attracts a sold-out crowd…and a wild pack of Mrs. Ropers
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
20th Annual HICF 5K draws a colorful crowd… WITH SLIDESHOW
Hatteras Island Cancer Foundation and local students team up for Creating for a Cause
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
HICF rings in 2023 with a successful New Year’s Eve dance
The Hatteras Island Civic Center was decorated with the soft glow of white lights and candles, small pine tree forests, and palm leaves. The décor was in shades of black, white, gold, and silver. It was the first dance hosted by HICF since the Coronavirus pandemic. The dance floor glittered as many showed up to celebrate the approaching new year and dance the night away to the sounds of DJ John Harper from 99.1 The Sound. The guests were welcomed with tantalizing heavy hor d’oeuvres from a menu created by the talented Dee Callahan. There was a silent auction where guests had the opportunity to bid on some very enticing prizes. The hit of the night was the selfie station where guests could use props and make some memories. At the closing of the night, 2023 was rung in by a champagne toast. The dance was a fun time had by all thanks to the wonderful sponsors on the island.
We have many sponsors to thank for the contributions that made the dance a success. We would like to send a huge thank you to our platinum sponsor Midgett Realty, our gold sponsors Scratchmade Snackery and Napa Buxton Auto and Marine, our silver sponsor The Inn on Pamlico Sound and Café Pamlico, and our bronze sponsor Cape Hatteras Electric Cooperative. We also need to thank Island Hopper Shuttle and Hatteras Island Transportation for providing safe modes of transportation. Thank you to all the other businesses on the island that helped everything come together or donated to our silent auction. Last but definitely not least, a huge thank you to all the dance attendees.