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The Arts

Some of the organizations listed in The Arts chapter also appreciate volunteers.

Cameron Art Museum
3201 S. 17th St., Wilmington
(910) 395-5999

This extraordinarily fine museum of visual arts needs volunteers to work in many capacities. Things are always happening at this lively center, and volunteers are needed to serve as docents, work the information desk, handle publicity and run the gift shop. The museum constantly has new projects underway, such as exhibitions, educational and children's outreach programs and special events. If you love the visual arts, this is a wonderful place to offer your volunteer services.ZH 04-30-08
 

Brunswick County Arts Council
Supply
(910) 575-0003

Established in 1981, this nonprofit volunteer organization is Brunswick County's primary arts information and funding source. Nonprofit arts funding is channeled to this group from the North Carolina Arts Council. With money received each year, the Brunswick Arts Council provides financial assistance to approximately 18 local nonprofit arts groups through Grassroots Arts Program grants; sponsors community events such as Concert by the Sea; and publishes a directory of Brunswick County artists and art groups as well as sponsoring the Brunswick County Arts Council Art Show. The council also raises funds privately through its annual Miniature Masterpiece Gala. This funding provides assistance to individual artists and arts related groups. Recently, the council partnered with the Brunswick County Board of Education to help introduce arts-integrated programs to all county schools. This valuable resource for local arts information is available through the organization, the Southport-Oak Island Chamber of Commerce, (910) 457-6964, and the Brunswick Chamber of Commerce, (800) 426-6644. Membership in the council is open to all interested citizens. The Brunswick Arts Council offers a range of programs, including cultural symposiums, programs for the classroom, bus trips to regional art venues, and more. Brunswick Arts Council's president, Gary Halberstadt, has established four distinct operating divisions as a means to broaden its footprint throughout Brunswick County: Student Art Education/Appreciation, Performing Arts, Literary Arts, and Visual Arts. Halberstadt invites anyone interested in participating in an operating division to contact him in writing or to attend a council meeting which is held on the second Monday of every month at 5:30 PM at the Administration Building of Brunswick Community College. Public attendance is invited as well.RP 01-29-08
 

Historic Preservation and Community Development

Brunswick County Habitat for Humanity
4255 Long Beach Rd., Southport
(910) 454-0007

As of November 2007, Brunswick County Habitat for Humanity was in the process of completing its 20th house for a deserving family in need of housing. The homes are built by volunteers, and no interest loans are extended to partner families who meet minimum income requirements. Qualified homeowners provide their own sweat equity in the form of helping to build their own home or volunteering in other ways to serve the community. Committees needing volunteer participation include family selection, volunteer coordination, church relations, family support, construction, site selection, fund-raising and working in the resale store.RP 01-29-08

Cape Fear Habitat for Humanity
1208 S. Third St., Wilmington
(910) 762-4744

Founded in 1987, Cape Fear Habitat for Humanity serves New Hanover County, northeastern Brunswick County and Pender County by creating affordable homes for qualified families to purchase. To date, nearly 80 homes have been built, making home ownership a reality for many families who might not have been able to own their home otherwise. Volunteers are part of the essence of this group and aid the overall organization by creating fund-raising events, working in the HomeStore or with the Family Selection Committee or simply by providing on site labor. If you’re older than 16 and want to help improve your community, Habitat is a great place to begin.ZH 04-30-08

Friends of the Oak Island Lighthouse
1100 Caswell Beach Rd., Caswell Beach
(910) 278-5471

Friends of the Oak Island Lighthouse was formed to preserve the lighthouse, which, along with five acres of beachfront property, was gifted to the Town of Caswell Beach by the federal government. Volunteers with expertise in education, fund-raising, retailing, special events and more are needed to assist with the preservation, promotion and maintenance of these properties. Lighthouse tours are conducted every Wednesday and Saturday from 10 AM to 2 PM during the summer season and upon request year round. Volunteers are needed to conduct these tours as well. All inquiries should be made through the website, www.oakislandlighthouse.org.RP 01-29-08

Historic Wilmington Foundation
516 N. Fourth St., Wilmington
(910) 762-2511

Volunteers interested in preserving the architectural heritage of the region are invited to work in these areas: public relations, membership, office work, events, photography, education, preservation action and urban properties. There is a yearly gala, the primary fund raiser, that relies on lots of volunteers for logistics, publicity, entertainment, food and everything else required to throw a major party and auction. The organization sponsors a home tour during Azalea Festival in April, a Repair Affair in spring and a 5K run in September.ZH 04-30-08

Lower Cape Fear Historical Society
126 S. Third St., Wilmington
(910) 762-0492

Volunteers are needed for publicity, fund raising, membership drives and planning at this venerable organization, which seeks to accurately preserve the history of the area. Volunteers also work as docents and archivists in the society's home, the Latimer House. The society sponsors the annual Olde Wilmington by Candlelight Tour of Homes and the Secret Garden Tour.ZH 04-30-08

North Carolina Maritime Museum at Southport
 116 N. Howe St., Southport
(910) 457-0003

The North Carolina Maritime Museum at Southport displays fascinating artifacts related to the maritime history of the Cape Fear Area (see our Attractions chapter). Volunteers are needed for building exhibits and conducting tours, summer programs and monthly adult programs.RP 01-29-08

Smith Island Museum of History
101 Lighthouse Wynd, Bald Head Island
(910) 457-7481

Run by the Old Baldy Foundation, the Smith Island Museum is a replica of the historic light-keepers cottage. The $3 fee for touring the lighthouse is collected here, and the building houses artifacts and small items for sale. Volunteers are needed to staff the museum, to help with fund-raising and to give lectures and educational programs.RP 01-04-08

Southport Visitors Center
113 W. Moore St., Southport
(910) 457-7927, (800) 388-9635

The Southport Visitors Center is a great place to stop and rest in the rockers on the porch. Inside is a fascinating wall display of the history of the area and included in the decor are historical artifacts. There are also films shown here. The center has ongoing recruitment for volunteers to work seasonal hours. These volunteers answer questions, provide visitors with brochures and maps of the self-guided walking tour, and sometimes sit in the rockers and shoot the breeze with folks eager to hear the old stories about the town of Southport.RP 01-29-08

Wilmington Downtown, Inc.
225 Water St., Wilmington
(910) 763-7349

Providing guidance and fostering smart development in historic downtown Wilmington, this nonprofit organization grew out of the effort years ago to revitalize the formerly flagging section of town. Now that downtown is booming, the group advocates planned economic growth and development in downtown. They also allow community members to get involved in keeping this historic portion of our community from the many pitfalls that come with a population explosion. From the Cape Fear Riverwalk to the burgeoning NOFO neighborhood, this group has their sights set on helping the Port City grow at a reasonable and prudent pace. Each year they host a Black and White Ball, for which volunteers are always welcome.ZH 04-30-08
 

Animal Welfare

North Carolina Aquarium at Fort Fisher
900 Loggerhead Rd., Kure Beach
(910) 458-8257

The aquarium utilizes volunteers in numerous ways, from giving guided tours to helping with on-site tasks. Volunteers can give talks by the touch tank for kids who want to get their hands on some smaller aquatic life. They can also assist in diving tasks, provided they're certified and in good health. Other volunteer opportunities include cleaning tanks, diet preparation and animal feeding, among other things. The major requirement for these positions is a positive attitude and a love of marine life.ZH 04-30-08

Karen Beasley Sea Turtle Rescue and Rehabilitation Center
822 Carolina Blvd., Topsail Beach
(910) 328-3377
www.seaturtlehospital.org

This sea turtle rescue and rehabilitation center does a tremendous job caring for sick and injured sea turtles. The center has cared for and released dozens of sea turtles back into the sea. The all-volunteer staff is responsible for the feeding and daily care of the resident patients. Volunteers also monitor the Topsail Island beaches every day during the summer nesting season.KW 03-26-08

Operation Topcat
Topsail Island

Operation Topcat provides free spaying and neutering for Topsail Island stray and feral cats. Since 1995, their bi-weekly clinic has treated more than a thousand cats and has placed hundreds of cats into loving homes. For volunteer information email Operation Topcat at otopcatnc@aol.com.KW 04-30-08

Topsail Humane Society
Hampstead
(910) 270-2660

Eastern Pender County’s no-kill shelter has placed hundreds of pets in loving adoptive homes. Volunteers are always needed to walk, feed and play with the animals. The shelter is open seven days a week from 9 AM to noon and 4 to 5:30 PM.KW 04-30-08