“We’re very organized, and we have a small army of friends and neighbors who are quite giving of their time and money, and who love doing the work,” said Mary Perno, president of the ORCA Board of Directors. “We have a lot of fun too, coming up with creative ways to raise funds, everything from trivia championships and fashion shows to our annual arts and craft fair and holiday home tours. The dozens of organizations we help range from Brunswick Family Assistance (BFA) and Matthews Ministry to the Brunswick County Literacy Council and the Veterans Welcome Home Center.”

The Mens Grilled Dinner Group (MGDG) and ORCA recently raised over $19,000 to help build a tiny house for a homeless veteran, and ORCA will help sustain him in the house for the next three years. Last March, a fashion show at Le Volte in Ocean Isle Beach raised more than $5,000 for The Rose House, a part of Christian Recovery Centers, Inc. For the first time this year, ORCA adopted an animal charity called Paws Pantry; they distribute dog and cat food for the BFA food insecure clients who have a pet. 

“One hundred percent of the funds we raise are spent locally,” continues Mary. “We can’t help everyone, but we do our best to take care of the charities we do support. The trivia night we held in June raised $5,000 to paint the inside of a home that Habitat for Humanity is building, and the MGDG is raising money for a roof for another Habitat house. We know that when an event is tied to a specific outcome, it’s so much more fun to work on and support, and it is deeply gratifying when we make or exceed a specific goal.”

ORCA donates annually to BEMC’s Warm Homes, Warm Hearts campaign, this year presenting an amazingly generous check for $13,100, raised through their Christmas events. BEMC matched the donation, which provides utility assistance to our neighbors in need.

“Our Ocean Ridge residents really believe in what we do, and we are so fortunate that they always come through for us,” Mary concludes. “Our fall appeal last year brought in $30,000, the largest amount in our history! We really are just a bunch of friends and neighbors coming together, trying to help our community, and I think we all believe it is an honor to do so.”