Nonprofit Social Calendar

The Greater Wilmington Sports Hall of Fame (GWSHOF) will kick off its weekend festivities with a golf tournament held at the Cape Fear National Golf Course at Brunswick Forest on May 1. Players have a chance to win luxury prizes like a new car on each par three hole if they make a hole-in-one. On May 2 the 2010 inductees Ben Bourgeois Terry Holland Joe Miller and Sherriedale Morgan (posthumously) will be honored in the Greater Wilmington Sports Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony. These individuals have made a significant impact on the caliber of athletics in the Greater Wilmington area. This fifth annual banquet will include the Atlantic Packaging Corporation Reception and Silent Auction beginning at 5 p.m. The Master of Ceremonies will be Kevin Reilly formerly of the Philadelphia Eagles. The golf tournament registration will begin at 9:30 a.m. and tee time is 10 a.m. For more information call (910) 795-1225 visit www.gwshof.com or call Dick Jones at the Wilmington Family YMCA at (910) 251-9622 ext. 228.

In its 9^th year P.A.W.S. (Pets Are Worth Saving) of North Carolina will once again host Paw Jam an all-day event featuring live entertainment pet-related vendors and contests arts crafts and plenty of food and beverages. Several thousand people are expected to attend this always-popular event. Last year more than $15 000 was raised to support local nonprofit animal rescue groups. Entrance fee for humans is $5 from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. All leashed pets get in free. For more information visit www.pawjam.net or call (910) 232-1165.

The 7^th annual Hope Gala for the Wilmington office of the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation (JDRF) is a black-tie event that supports research for finding a cure for diabetes and its complications. Raising $417K last year this years Gala recognizes Paul Brissette with the “Living and Giving” research grant that will be given in his name for battling juvenile diabetes. The largest fundraising Gala in Wilmington this years theme of “Tides: A Movement to a Cure ” is sure to be a hit for both businesses and families alike. WECT news anchor Jon Evans will serve as emcee for the projected 300-plus attendees. The Hope Gala will be held on May 15 at 6 p.m. at the Holiday Inn Resort at Wrightsville Beach. For more information call (910) 509-9899.

The YWCA Women of Achievement Awards is the signature event recognizing and celebrating womens and teens exemplary accomplishments in southeastern North Carolina. Honorees will be recognized for notable achievements in their fields exemplary service to their communities and schools and willingness to take leadership positions on issues that have an impact on the Cape Fear area. Since 1985 this event has honored 208 women and awarded college scholarships to 57 teen leaders in Brunswick Columbus New Hanover and Pender counties. Times: 5 p.m./social; 6 p.m./event. For more information visit www.ywca-lowercapefear.org or call (910) 799-6820 ext. 120.

Cape Fear Community College (CFCC) will host its 6^th annual “Changing Lives Through the Gift of Education” luncheon to raise money for student scholarships. This years luncheon themed “Empowering Students Providing Hope in our Community ” will take place from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. Last year more than 500 donors raised $259 000. These funds helped to provide more than 200 students with scholarships and pushed the 2009 fundraising total to more than $1.3 million. This year guests can look forward to student presentations and a special keynote speaker. For more information and to reserve your seat call (910) 362-7207 or send an email to rsvp@cfcc.edu or visit www.cfcc.edu/foundation.

This years Red Cross Gala will mark the 102nd anniversary of the Cape Fear Chapter of the Red Cross. This “Hurricane Kick-off Gala” will kick off a full night of fun and fundraising and will include live and silent auctions to support disaster relief efforts. For more information visit www.arccapefear.org or call (910) 762-2683. 

For the fourth year in a row this grand black-tie gala will feature food tastings from local chefs and restaurants as well as live and silent auction packages. Culinary awards will be given to participants for best food in different categories. The highest award the Copper Kettle given to the best of the best will proudly be displayed in the winning restaurant. Proceeds from the event will help fund programs for Wilmington children and families in need. Tables of 10 are available for $1 000 and may be purchased in advance by calling event chair Missy Sumrell at (910) 793-6364 ext. 10 or (910) 264-9222 or by calling Regina R. Hawse development officer Methodist Home for Children at (910) 395-5434 or (910) 471-6088.

A fun-filled tradition Cape Fear Literacy Councils (CFLCs) Spelling Bee for Literacy pits three-person spelling teams of adults against each other to win the coveted Bee Trophy to showcase at their office or place of business for a year. Sponsors and team members include area businesses professionals and civic groups throughout the Cape Fear region. Local celebrity emcees encourage good-natured competition and keep the laughs coming. Proceeds benefit CFLCs adult literacy programs. For more information visit www.cfliteracy.org or call (910) 251-0911.

The Secret Garden Tour starts at the Latimer House and continues on to other prominent homes. The tour benefits the Latimer House and gardens headquarters of the Lower Cape Fear Historical Society. The Latimer House located on 3rd Street in Historic Downtown Wilmington was built in 1852. For more information visit www.latimerhouse.org or call (910)762-0492.

This event will feature sample signature dishes from Wilmingtons premier restaurants and chefs as well as live and silent auctions. All proceeds will benefit the March of Dimes mission: preventing birth defects and infant mortality. For more information call (910) 452-1515.

Join us for a night of fabulous entertainment and epicurean delights to benefit DREAMS Center for Arts Education a nationally recognized award-winning nonprofit organization dedicated to providing youth in need with high-quality free-of-charge programming in the creative visual and performing arts. The evening will showcase performances by some of our communitys most gifted entertainers including the young artists who participate in the program. You wont want to miss the fabulous live auction and art sale. Call (910) 772-1501 or email dreamscenter@ec.rr.com for more information.

The CAPP Center annual gala includes dinner and dancing with live music and live and silent auctions. The event raises money to empower families to help ensure healthy environments for our children and our community and find ways to prevent child abuse and neglect. For more information visit www.cappcenter.org or call (910) 791-1057.

Since its inception in 1998 the Pink Ribbon Project has raised more than $1 000 000 to bring comfort and support to women undergoing treatment for cancer by funding projects such as the Pink Ribbon comfort bags and mammograms for uninsured women. The event includes breakfast at 8 a.m. lunch at 11 a.m. and dinner at 6:30 p.m. with a featured speaker at each meal. Last year the event raised $160 000. For more information visit www.nhrmcfoundation.org or call (910) 815-5002. 

Come enjoy friendly competition as Cape Fear Literacy Council (CFLC) hosts the 2^nd annual Golf FORE Literacy Tournament. Businesses and individuals can sign up in teams of four and compete for a variety of great prizes. All proceeds go to CFLCs adult literacy programs. For more information visit www.cfliteracy.org or call (910) 251-0911.

Airlies popular Low Country Oyster Roast benefits the Airlie Garden Environmental Education Programs. The event will again feature popular local band The Imitations and as has become an Airlie Oyster Roast tradition there will be dancing all night long. Enjoy oysters and barbecue while you support environmental education programs at Airlie. Last year was a sold-out event. Tickets are available for $75. For more information visit www.airliegardens.org or call (910) 798-7700.