“I am humbled by the open hearts of others.” “Even though the businesses and restaurants were so hard hit these past two years, they have been as generous as possible, and even a little apologetic that they couldn’t do more,” Kelly says. Each family’s home was gifted a tote filled with memorabilia donated by individual local businesses including Boo & Roo’s, Cat on a Whisk and the Christmas House, while Uncorked by the Sea hosted a wine-tasting fundraiser donating proceeds to the retreat. Team Pink organized neighborhood supply drives for paper products, cleaning supplies, beach towels and gift cards. For some of the 19 adults and 12 children who hailed from New York, Virginia, Minnesota and North Carolina, the retreat was the first time experiencing the thrill of paddleboarding and kayaking.
Activities were sponsored by Ocean Cure, Oak Island Parks & Recreation and the North Carolina Maritime Museum at Southport and included kayaking, standup paddleboarding and a visit to the North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher. Local volunteer Lori Boyer made desserts, and Barb Sauter decorated the Fellowship Hall at First Baptist Church of Oak Island with a beach-theme for the opening and closing dinners. Domino’s Pizza donated a complete meal for the families, and Intercoastal Realty donated Jersey Mike’s subs for lunch on the beach. Team Pink garnered meals from Shagger Jacks, Southport Smoke House, Gourmet to Go & Catered Affairs LLC and Kate’s Pancake House. Little Pink Houses of Hope secured housing for each family donated by clients of Oak Island Accommodations and private owners.
“Last year when I heard Marianne and Connie talking about Little Pink, I knew I wanted to be a part of it.” “Both my parents were devoted volunteers all their lives and I always wanted to follow in their footsteps,” she says. I do this in her honor.” Newcom had a different reason to volunteer. She would have loved a chance to spend precious time with her family in this way. “I immediately thought of my lifelong friend, Joy, who passed away from breast cancer in early 2020. “When Marianne asked me if I wanted to help with Little Pink, I didn’t hesitate to jump right in,” Kelly says. When I relocated to this area from Pennsylvania, she asked me to team up with her to work with Little Pink for Oak Island.”Īs an experienced Team Pink leader, Lawruk coached Newcom and Kelly, who joined the team this year. Lawruk, who has been involved with the organization for five years, says, “In 2012, my sister-in-law lost her battle with breast cancer. Her daughter, my niece, who lived in North Carolina at that time, was involved with Little Pink. Marianne Lawruk, Nancy Newcom and Connie Kelly, local volunteers referred to as Team Pink, made preparations for the families’ arrivals. The retreat would not have been possible without the incredible support of the community. In 2021 the organization was named National Breast Cancer Non-Profit of the Year. Jeanine Patten-Coble, a ten-year breast cancer survivor, started Little Pink Houses after noticing the gap in services for families of survivors.
Little Pink Houses promotes breast cancer recovery through opportunities for survivors to celebrate life through the belief that a cancer diagnosis affects the entire family.
LITTLE PINK HOUSES OF HOPE FREE
Local businesses and churches provided housing and all activities, services and meals free of charge so that the families could focus on spending quality time together. Little Pink Houses of Hope, a national 501(c)3 nonprofit headquartered in Burlington, North Carolina, has sponsored retreats since 2011 at various locations across the country including Emerald Isle, North Carolina Key West, Florida Gulf Shores, Alabama and our own charming Oak Island. Seven families impacted by breast cancer visited the island for a week of relaxation, rejuvenation and escape from reality. Little Pink Houses of Hope returned to Oak Island this September. The local community steps up to support Little Pink Houses of Hope and families impacted by breast cancer.
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