By Cindy Killian
Day4Hope was started 14 years ago by Pam Hawn and they are currently out of Bradenton, FL, according to their website. Our own, Diane Hennesey, wrote and received a grant for local churches to host this event here in Brunswick County, NC, on August 10, 2024 at the Moose Lodge Long Beach Road in Southport.
Day4Hope provides “back-to-school supplies and services for homeless or disadvantaged children so they may start the school year with dignity.” Students and families may be recommended or may apply for the event, but there is paperwork to complete upon arrival. Each guest family is provided a guide for assistance to each station with a bookmark they get stamped on each stop.
While I didn’t count the volunteers or services provided, these are some provided that day:
- Medical exam, help with Medicaid and other medical paperwork (local MDs and RNs)
- Vision screening (Lions Club)
- Hearing screening
- Dental cleaning instructions and information – Coastal Pediatric Cosmetic Dentistry
- Real ID – Safe Surfin’ (Free digital ID scan)
- Haircuts (GreatClips)
- Bookbags with supplies
- Books labeled by age group!
- Homemade pillowcases and pillow
- Birthday cake, and information about the Birthday Wishes Ministry (BWM)
- Gift cards for clothes and shoes (multiple donors)
- Lunch for guest families
- Breakfast for volunteers!
- Prayer time with bracelets
- Fresh vegetables (Local Motive – feastdowneast.org)
- Boxed food from SOIICF
- Brunswick Family Assistance (BFA)
- Arts and crafts time for guests and siblings
While I signed up for food distribution, they said they didn’t need me…I was a rudder without a ship! So instead I became a roving reporter. Here are notes from conversations I had with specific stations:
The Lions Club was situated in the back, dark corner of the pool hall at the Moose Lodge. I had to check out their set-up! Once the student checked in, they walked a few more steps to a man with a strange looking machine, who kindly asked their name and age. He entered their information into his small machine and the students sat in a chair facing the machine and the man. Next, he simply took a photo of them and this machine provided details about their eye health – their vision – their specifics about each eye – for free! This informational card could then be used for eye wear. Imagine knowing from the beginning of the school year why things were blurry or hard to understand. I asked the ‘eye man’ if he was a retired optometrist. He chuckled and said, “Nope, I was a chemistry professor!” Just read about Ben Carson and his story.
I meandered to the dental health area where Dr. Cecilia Lu, from Coastal Pediatric Cosmetic Dentistry, and several assistants were waiting for guests. On the table were oversized jaws and toothbrushes used to demonstrate correct brushing techniques. Each spoke about the importance of good oral health as a basis for overall health, yet it can be costly and difficult to find a dentist who can work with children at a discounted rate. Dental insurance can be considered a luxury. Many dentists do not accept Medicaid; some are not trained specifically for small mouths. (Brunswick County, the sixth largest county in the state, 18.4 % of our children live in poverty). I found a website, InsureKidsNow.gov that can provide families with directions for their children’s dental health. East Carolina’s Dental school also has a campus at Brunswick Novant Medical Center for children and adults. Sadly, I believe dental health is far down on the list of worries of most parents in disadvantaged situations.
It was hard to miss the bright balloons or pass by the birthday cake without getting the facts, so of course I asked! Birthday Wishes Ministry (BWM) founded by Jill Leach, partnered with Brunswick Family Assistance (BFA), 40+ years in our county, and several other food pantries, so that students receive a voucher to be redeemed prior to their birthday month, for a wrapped, educational birthday gift. Leach, while helping with a Christmas ministry, was asked about a birthday present for a child where the family couldn’t provide one. So, she went in this direction in 2021. This ministry is funded by direct donations and, get this, dropping off gently used women’s accessories to Another Woman’s Treasures located within Crossroads, a Gathering Place, right over the bridge on Oak Island! I heard Crossroads has provided a drop off place just within the building.
One exceptional stop was the St. James Quilters, who had pillows and handmade pillow cases for every kid. One child was SO excited! He said he’d never had his own pillow before, and this was the best day of his life!
As guests walked around in the steamy parking lot, it was a typical August Saturday after all, they found the coolest place around – the GreatClips tent, complete with A/C, vents, chairs, mirrors, a mini salon! Stylists provided free haircuts for guys and dolls, for the first day of school! There were at least five stations and others there to help direct and schedule. Truly, I was astounded GreatClips folks took time from their day to provide services for free! My opinion of this business grew immensely because of this service to the community.
Also braving the parking lot heat were two food resources: Local Motive, a mobile farmer’s market and SOIICF, our local food pantry. According to conversations and signs, the mobile farmer’s market accepts multiple means of payment AND excellent instructions on how to use the product. Food insecurity exists for many Brunswick County families, not just those with school-age children. These two crucial resources were present at Day4Hope to ensure families with growing children know where fresh food and necessary staples can be found.
SOIICF (Southport Oak Island Interchurch Fellowship Food Pantry) is located at 249 W. Boiling Spring Rd and is open Tuesday and Saturday mornings, and Thursday afternoon. St. Peter Lutheran is one of 17 churches that participate and support this ministry. Our own Giving Garden volunteers harvest Mondays and Fridays and donate fresh produce to the pantry for Tuesdays and Saturdays!
It would have been easy to pass by the table labeled Safe Surfin’ because as a retired educator, I am against students surfin’ for information. However, I stopped and asked what they were all about and well, they offer this critical information for free AND these were volunteers at this table. Basically, this is like those cards you filled out with fingerprints and information (way back when). Parents share their children’s information with Safe Surfin’ and this is stored on a USB thumb drive which the parents keep in a safe place. Should anything ever happen with the child, the parent simply shares the drive with authorities who now possess all needed information about the missing child. Free ID Scan? YES!
