Eastern North Carolina roundup

Published on May 23, 2006

School grants total $6,000

A presentation by teachers showed the results of grants from the Elizabeth City-Pasquotank Public Schools Foundation, the Elizabeth City Daily Advance reported May 12.

The grants, valued at $6,000, were awarded for projects that included purchasing acoustic guitars, Spanish books and computer equipment used for quizzes.

The grant money was provided by area businesses. The foundation has presented more than $40,000 in recent years and organizers hope to raise an endowment of $500,000.

Northeast Partnership halted

The Northeast Partnership, a nonprofit in Edenton, no longer has funding from the Northeastern Regional Economic Development Commission, the Washington Daily News reported May 18.

Stopping public funding was among the actions the commission adopted in response to a state auditor’s report that criticized the nonprofit.

The partnership was established to support economic development in 16 northeastern counties from Halifax to Beaufort. It received state and private funding.

Neighborhood project hits snag

The Hugh Cale Neighborhood Revitalization project suffered another setback when a city official determined the nonprofit agency misused funds, the Elizabeth City Daily Advance reported May 9.

The nonprofit allegedly used profits from the sale of a house, rehabilitated with grant funds, to repay payroll taxes to the IRS.

The Elizabeth City Neighborhood Corp., operating as agent for the project, accrued thousands of dollars in debt and unpaid payroll taxes. It has been reorganized to serve the goal of facilitating housing for low-to-moderate-income residents and senior citizens.

March of Dimes holds walk

About 750 turned out the annual March of Dimes “Walk America” fund-raiser in Fayetteville, the Fayetteville Observer reported May 14.

The event’s goal was $80,000 by June 13.

The campaign hoped to raise money to prevent premature births, birth defects and infant deaths. Premature birth is the top cause of infant mortality in the U.S., causing about 470,000 deaths a year.

Relay for Life concludes in eastern N.C.

The Wayne County Relay for Life fund-raiser for the American Cancer Society was set to take place May 19-20 with a goal of $550,000 and more than $370,000 already collected, the Goldsboro News-Argus reported May 14.

In Plymouth, the Washington County Relay for Life all-night walk raised $155,089, the Washington Daily News reported May 19. The event included more than 100 cancer survivors, with 800 memorial luminaries.

Last year, the Washington County event raised the most money per capita of any in the southeast, and was second-highest in the U.S.. with $147,000.

In Tarboro, Edgecombe County walkers brought in $202,000 during the Relay for Life, the Rocky Mount Telegram reported May 14.

The 18-hour event included 35 teams raising money for the American Cancer Society. Volunteers also provided dance lessons, miniature golf, a dance contest and food for sale.

In Wilson, bad weather stalled the walk, the Wilson Daily Times reported May 8.

Thunderstorms shortened the event, which still raised $151,360, with an additional $7,300 raised through the Kids' Walk

Greenville pool wins grant

A $500,000 grant from the Parks and Recreation Trust Fund was awarded to repair the Aquatics and Fitness Center in Greenville, the Daily Reflector reported May 15.

The funds, known as a PARTF grant, will help refloor the gym, repair the pool and improve the ventilation system.

Of 86 applicants, 41 grants were awarded. City officials had threatened to close the center without the grant.

A matching donation was provided by the Eastern Carolina Vocational Center, which owns the building housing the aquatics center. It agreed to give the property, valued at $1 million, to the city.  The General Assembly created the trust fund in 1994 to help improve local parks.

Rocky Mount hosts NBA player

A benefit for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Nash and Edgecombe counties featured Rocky Mount native and NBA basketball standout Buck Williams, the Rocky Mount Telegram reported May 17.

The fundraising goal for the event was $57,000, which will support after-school and summer programs for children ages 5 to 18. The club served more than 1,500 children in the area, a 41 percent increase from the year before.

‘Crabs on the Move’ fundraiser

A community group in Washington is selling large fiberglass crabs to benefit local charities, the Washington Daily News reported May 19.

The Crabs on the Move project was initiated by the Pine Needles Garden Club to help raise money for the Zion Shelter, Boys & Girls Clubs and domestic violence prevention programs, among others.

Sponsors can buy a crab for $1,500. The creative blue crabs will be on view throughout the waterfront community.

ALS volunteer honored

Kim Hebert of Emerald Isle was honored by the Swansboro Rotary Club for raising awareness of and funds for Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis, the Tideland News reported May 17.  She received the Outstanding Public Citizen Award and was named a Paul Harris Fellow.

-- Compiled by Marion Blackburn

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