Being Bruce -: National Make a Difference Week Volunteer Awareness Fair

Tuesday, October 20, 2009

National Make a Difference Week Volunteer Awareness Fair

Monday night was a big night in Wilmington, NC for volunteerism. Hosted by Si Cantwell of the Wilmington Star-News promoted by Sarah Barbee of Fussbudget Promotions and Hands on Network, the third annual National Make a Difference Week Volunteer Awareness Fair was held on the third floor (aka the Beam Room) of Front Street Brewery. A dozen Greater Wilmington area organizations were set up in the room to talk about their missions and their need for and use of volunteers and to meet each other.

Si Cantwell, who organized the event has also established a local social networking site called Conscience Online where people can "learn how to give back to the community." Check it out.

Below are Si and Della Quinn-Carter of CAAP.

The central downtown Wilmington location, large open space, and convivial atmosphere of Front Street Brewery's Beam Room made it a great place for this event.


Autum Mihm, Community Partnership Consultant for the Cape Fear Chapter of the American Red Cross.

Si talking with Natasha Davis and Halley Thompson of CIS (Communities in Schools).

Pastor Jay Merritt of Leland's Victory Free Will Baptist Church and active organizer for Manna Ministries talking with Gayle Tabor of Glynne's Soaps, who volunteers with the Rape Crisis Center of Coastal Horizons Center, Inc.

Becca Jones of Penderlea School and Jennifer Caslin of the NC Food Bank.

Board Member Robin Coles and Presdient Kristin Howell of The Ruffian Foundation, feral cat sanctuary.
Billie Blackwell, General Retail Manager, and Jan Lewis, Manager, of Vintage Values retail stores, a fund-raising and community service program of Domestic Violence Shelter & Services, Inc.

Advisory Board member Mary Anne Russo, Founder and Clinical Director Celine Adair, and Founder and Executive Director Zac Adair of Panacea Adventures, a "wilderness therapy organization committed to fostering interpersonal development, individual empowerment and improved quality of life."
Gayle Tabor, Amanda Register, and Hal Campell, Rape Survivor Advocates with Coastal Horizons Center Rape Crisis Center. Sign up for Walk a Mile in Her Shoes, The Men's March to Stop Rape, Sexual Assault, and Gender Violence on Noovember 14th at 8:45am. For info, contact larledge@coastalhorizons.org or call 910-392-6936.

Sheila Osann, President, and Fred Osann (Sheila's driver - no joke, that's what they both said), of Assistance League of Greater Wilmington. The Assistance League is holding a "huge indoor rummage sale" this Saturday froom 8am to 2pm at St. James Parish Gym on Dock Street.


Halley Thompson of Americae Vista and Natasha Davis, Financial Manager, both representing Cape Fear Communities in Schools. Communities in Schools i s sponsoring a Trick-or-Treat TROT 5K and 1 Mile Fun Run this Saturday, October 24th starting at 9AM at 20 North Forth Street. Register online at www.active.com.


Annie Anthony, Director of the Cape Fear Volunteer Center and Charlon Turner, Public Relations for Outside the Walls.

Della Quinn-Carter of CAAP, Child Advocacy and Parenting Place, Exchange Club Center, Inc.

Thanks to Si, Sarah, Front Street Brewery, and all the folks who organized and attended this significant event for Wilmington area community service volunteerism.