Southport Magazine

… of Hope
The beaches of our community have long been a place of respite and rejuvenation for many generations of travelers.  This month, a special group will return for the fifth year to our area for a week.  Little Pink Houses of Hope is an organization that provides week long vacations for breast cancer patients and their families.  Eleven families (about 60 people) will be coming to Oak Island from September 13-19th, 2015.

Jeanine Patten-Coble, herself a breast cancer survivor, started this organization. Diagnosed in June, 2009 on her way to a family vacation, she developed the idea leading to the mission statement of the organization to “promote breast cancer recovery by offering opportunities for survivors to reconnect and celebrate life”.  She continues the efforts with what her co-worker calls a “heart for serving”.

This tax-exempt 501 (c) 3 organization realizes that a cancer diagnosis impacts both the person and their family. The beach retreat, currently offered in NC, SC, AL, DE, FL and CA, helps families who live under the same roof to relax, reconnect and rejuvenate during their journey.  Participants must currently be undergoing some type of treatment or have recently completed treatment. While not an opportunity for an extended family reunion, the immediate family benefits while only sharing the financial burden of the travel. The majority of funding comes from private donations although some grants have been received in the past.

Oak Island Accommodations has been instrumental, in our area, by contacting home owners who are willing to donate their homes for families.  In addition, they provide the linens and cleaning services to both the families and volunteers who come to assist the program.

Amy Matthews, one of two employees of this organization, shared very positive comments related to the support of local businesses, churches and organizations in our area over the past 5 years. The retreat includes morning local activities arranged to the desires of the participants but based on local community donations. These may include paddle boarding, golf, jewelry making, kayaking, a trip to Fort Fisher Aquarium etc. Lunch is typically a donated meal provided by one of our local restaurants or church group. Each house is stocked with breakfast foods and drinks.  Lunches and dinners are held as a common meal but you are welcome to decline participation to be with your family unit. Matthews notes that the final night of the retreat is a very special and structured evening activity to allow sharing among the group as well as closure to the event.

As this program continues to grow, so does the need for assistance. Matthews eagerly yearns for a community to develop a committee in each area to plan and run the respective retreats. Although the Little Pink Houses of Hope Family Center in Alamance County holds 2 fund raisers each year, she feels it would be beneficial for our area to also host our own fundraiser.  If you are interested in becoming involved, there are many opportunities on all levels. The following are needed:

1. Tax deductible donations of cash
2. Tax deductible donations of supplies such as Paper towels, toilet paper, sunscreen, water etc. Please see the ad running in this magazine.
3. Gifts for children and adult participants.
4. Gift cards for shopping at local merchants to stock the beach houses.
5. Groups or businesses to provide meals for lunch and dinner.
6. Businesses or individuals to donate services for activities.
7. Community members to provide leadership in forming a steering group for 2016.

Please contact Amy Matthews at 336-932-0176 if you can provide assistance for this year or next. Donations are currently being accepted by Southport Magazine. Please see the ad run in the August issue as well as this current issue. More information on this incredible organization of recovery can be found at www.littlepink.org.  Let’s rally Southport to show this group how our Happiest Seaside Town can impact their lives!