Southport Magazine

Lower Cape Fear LifeCare’s annual end-of-summer gala, Last Chance for White Pants, will feature a twist this year, in light of COVID-19, and to help protect the health and safety of participants. The gala is the local nonprofit’s largest fundraiser of the year.

Reimagined as the Last Chance for White Pants: House Party Edition, the fundraiser will include most of the pieces that attendees have long enjoyed, but this year in small groups, with hosts holding mini gatherings with close friends and family to raise much-needed funds to support the nonprofit healthcare provider. The event will also feature a virtual silent auction open to the entire community.  

“With the social distancing and gathering size restrictions that are currently in place and looking at the current projections from state and federal experts, we had concerns about hosting more than 500 people at our long-time presenting sponsor, Audi Cape Fear, for the 2020 gala,” said Terrie Priest, LCFL Foundation Manager. 

“We made the difficult decision to change the way the 2020 Last Chance for White Pants Gala, originally scheduled for Aug. 29, would be hosted, but we didn’t want the weekend to pass without a chance to celebrate the end of summer and to celebrate LCFL. Spreading out the event across many locations over an entire weekend will allow us to still enjoy all the fun and festivities of Last Chance for White Pants from the comfort of our homes, while limiting crowd size and allowing for social distancing.”

Especially during its 40th anniversary year and the recent public health emergency, the nonprofit’s administration hopes that it can continue to count on its long-standing support from the communities it serves in being able to raise the funds it needs to ensure no one in our area is ever refused care when living with a serious or life-limiting illness.

Between Thursday, Aug. 27 and Sunday, Aug. 30, hosts will hold dinner parties, brunch parties, wine tastings and everything in between, while smaller numbers will ensure gatherings stay in line with CDC recommendations to limit guests’ potential exposure. 

Event Toolkits will help hosts plan a memorable White Pants House Party with room to add their own touch and flair. LCFL is currently recruiting hosts for the house parties; those interested in hosting a party or making a donation should visit WhitePants.org.

“With so many changes in the world and in our community right now, there are two things that don’t change and that won’t change. One is the gift of giving back to people who need help, and the second is that there are people here who desperately need help,” said Ana Brown, 2020 Last Chance for White Pants Co-Chair.

“This year we are honored to be able to have small group parties for the people who have always given back to still give back and raise money for those who need the services of Lower Cape Fear LifeCare. We’re fortunate to be able to get together with friends and use it as a way to help people. Hosts can reach out to their circle of friends or neighbors and create an event that you would like to hold.”

“It doesn’t have to be a formal dinner; there don’t have to be any set boundaries,” added Co-Chair Mike Brown. “It’s anything folks feel comfortable with.”

In addition to dinners, Mike and Ana Brown said, hosts could host bingo nights, picnics, cul-de-sac dinners, or get-togethers with tennis teams and book clubs that are already meeting virtually or in small groups. Hosts select their own guest lists, so they can choose group sizes and event set ups with which they feel comfortable.

All proceeds from Last Chance for White Pants stay local, providing care for individuals and families in our community. Each year, Lower Cape Fear LifeCare provides more than $1 million in care and support to local families, ensuring that everyone has access to the highest quality of care at a time when they need it most. Despite the changes and challenges presented by COVID-19, LCFL continues to provide care to more than 950 patients and their loved ones each day.

Funds raised also help support programs and services, including Lower Cape Fear LifeCare’s extensive grief care offerings for adults and children, palliative care for those undergoing treatment for a serious illness, dementia caregiver support, healing arts programs, and community education with topics including advanced care planning, compassionate care workshops and caregiver resources and support. 

For more information about Last Chance for White Pants: House Party Edition, or to get information on how to host your own party, please call 910-796-7985 or visit WhitePants.org.

Lower Cape Fear LifeCare is a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing access to the highest quality LifeCare, education, and supportive services to our patients, their families, and the communities we serve. For more information, visit lifecare.org.