S H O R T S H O R T S • •
16
WBM march 2020 WBM FILE PHOTOS
IN THE PINK OF HEALTH
The Pink Ribbon Project Annual Luncheon
OVER 600 supporters of breast cancer research and patient care are expected to attend the
22nd annual Pink Ribbon Project Luncheon on Thursday, March 12, 2020, at the Wilmington
Convention Center. Many guests will have dyed pink hair or wigs as a sign of support.
The New Hanover Regional Medical Center Foundation (NHRMC) and The Pink Ribbon
Project provide Wilmington-area patients who have little or no insurance the opportunity to have 3D
mammography screenings. Each year they provide care to over 1,000 eligible patients, as well as counsel-ing
and comfort bags to those newly diagnosed with breast cancer.
Philanthropic support enables NHRMC’s Zimmer Cancer Center to offer various programs at
no cost to patients. Programs include cancer support groups, healing arts therapy, nutrition
education and financial literacy. Funds also support patient and caregiver needs at additional
NHRMC oncology treatment centers located throughout New Hanover and Brunswick counties.
“The Pink Ribbon Project means optimism and hope; hope that one day we will never have
to say goodbye to loved ones because of this awful disease,” says event chair Kristin Hufham
in the event sponsorship packet.
Numerous local businesses participated in Pink Ribbon fundraising events in 2019. Fall
events were sponsored by The Steel Magnolias Golf Association, Wilmington Brewing
Company, Island Passage Lumina, and Porters Neck Country Club. The foundation reported
that 14 community-led Pink Ribbon events raised more than $51,000 in 2019.
— Christine Gonzalez
The Pink Ribbon Project Annual Luncheon at the Wilmington Convention Center will include a silent auction and patient stories from
local survivors Randy Aldridge and Sheila Boles. Attendees gather in the ballroom for lunch where a tribute banner in several shades
of pink honors those who have battled breast cancer.
TAX HELP IS AVAILABLE
Volunteers Provide No-Cost Assistance
IT’S tax season. Those words can cause some of us to break out in a
cold sweat. The thought of filling in the forms, navigating the com-plex
IRS laws, the fear of not getting the refund we’re entitled to, or
of paying too much, can be intimidating.
But fear not, because help is at hand.
New Hanover County offers free tax preparation assistance to res-idents
through the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program.
From February through mid-April, trained and IRS-certified volunteers
are on hand at the New Hanover County Senior Resource Center, the
Main Library in downtown Wilmington, and the town of Carolina Beach.
“Last year we filed more than 5,000 federal and state returns, totaling
more than $2.5 million in refunds for our residents,” New Hanover
County Senior Resource Center Director Amber Smith says. “Our
certified tax preparers can answer questions and help prepare per-sonal
income taxes. The VITA program is a great resource for our
Mark Gettys (left) of the Volunteer Income Tax
Assistance program helps Bud Sneeden file
his returns at the New Hanover County Senior
Resource Center in 2019.
ALLISON POTTER
community.”
People can sign up in person for a time slot beginning at 8 a.m. each morning. After signing up, they can leave and return
20 minutes before their scheduled time slot. They should have photo I.D., Social Security card, a copy of last year’s income tax return,
and all income documents.
Volunteers cannot assist with rental income, clergy returns, casualty or theft losses or returns with inherited property.
— Simon Gonzalez