Nonprofit Social Calendar

St. Stans 14th annual Polish Festival

St. Stanislaus Catholic Church will host its 14th annual Polish Festival from 11 a.m. to 5 p.m. on Saturday November 5. The event has always attracted thousands of visitors who come to enjoy authentic Polish foods drinks and a vast assortment of desserts while listening and dancing to the Polka Plus Band of Raleigh. There will be a craft sale a variety of entertainment for children and a raffle. The grand prize will be $1 500 in cash with second and third prizes of $1 000 and $500 respectively. The event is free and there is plenty of parking available in the churchs lot. For more information contact the churchs main office at (910) 675-2336 or visit the website at www.ststanspolishfestival.org.

Join Elderhaus Inc. as it celebrates 30 years of service to seniors and their families. The Reflections Benefit and Banquet offers the public the unique opportunity to participate in a wonderful evening of celebration in the company of some of the areas most prominent business and political leaders. Semi-formal and business attire cash bar cocktail hour 6-7 pm dinner 7 pm. Tickets $60 per person. Visit www.elderhaus.com or phone 910-343-8209.

The Wilmington Interfaith Hospitality Network (WIHN) Gala is a black-tie optional dinner with music magic live and silent auctions. “Many voices; One spirit” is the theme for the gala this year with all proceeds going toward WIHNs programs which help needy and homeless families in the Wilmington area transition to independence. In the past the event has raised almost $20 000. Doors open at 6:30 p.m. at the Country Club of Landfall. Tickets are $100 each and sponsorship is available. For more information contact WIHN at (910) 762-0339 or visit www.wihn.net.

V.O.C.A.L. is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving local seniors and the New Hanover County Senior Resource Center. V.O.C.A.L. raises and donates funds as well as provides guidance for many projects that benefit the seniors of New Hanover County through the Senior Resource Center. Stop by for this one-stop holiday shopping event. Pick up unique one-of-a-kind holiday gifts from local arts and crafts vendors and participate in all the fun raffles from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. Contact coordinator Debbie Randall at (910) 617-9845 or the Senior Resource Center at (910) 798-6400.

On Friday November 25 from 7 to 11 p.m. the North Carolina Flotilla will kick off its 28th annual party honoring the flotillas boat captains and sponsors. With a live performance by The Central Park Band guests will ring in the fun-filled weekend while enjoying great music drinks and heavy hors doeuvres. The festivities will continue on Saturday with the Festival in the Park (at Wrightsville Beach Municipal Park) followed by the magnificent lighted boat procession and fireworks on Banks Channel. Tickets are $35 and will be available at the flotilla office on Wrightsville Beach or at the event itself. For more information call (910) 256-2120 or visit www.ncholidayflotilla.org.

In April 2001 Willie Stargell beloved Hall of Fame Pittsburgh Pirates first baseman passed away after a lengthy battle with kidney disease. In his honor Stargells wife Margaret Weller-Stargell established the nonprofit Willie Stargell Foundation in 2003. Each year the foundation hosts a golf tournament and auction dinner to benefit those affected by kidney disease. Stargells teammates notable sports figures (including Wake Forest Baseball Coach Tom Walter) and friends will gather again to remember Willie and to raise money for kidney related projects and programs. For the weekends scheduled events or to reserve tickets visit the foundations website at www.williestargellfoundation.org.

The 6th Annual Wilmington Fur Ball a black tie red carpet fundraising event to be held 7-11 p.m. on December 3 features lavish hors doeuvres champagne and other spirits dancing to the musical stylings of the 360 Degrees band psychic entertainment silent and live auctions including several works generously donated by internationally exhibited artist George Pocheptsov. Visit the website at www.wilmingtonfurball.com for the scoop on this years fabulous new venue. Tickets are $85 each and will be available through Pay Pal. For more information contact (910) 279-5530.

Since 1997 Good Friends of Wilmington has gathered in December to raise money for disadvantaged individuals and families in New Hanover County whose needs are not being satisfied by other organizations. Last year more than 600 women attended. The goal is to reach as many families and individuals as possible. All of the money raised goes directly to those in need. The doors open at 11:30 a.m. with lunch beginning at noon. The event is open to the public but reservations are appreciated. To save a seat contact Louise McColl at (910) 350-1211.

This year marks the 26th anniversary of Domestic Violence Shelters and Services Inc. which has served as the sole domestic violence shelter in Wilmington and New Hanover County since 1986. The annual meeting at the University of North Carolinas Madeline Suites celebrates the community support received throughout the year and highlights the success of the programs and services offered by the shelter in the past year. The meeting begins at 8 a.m. and includes a breakfast buffet. Admission is free. For more information call Diane Lomax at (910) 343-9969.

As one of the main fundraisers for the North Carolina Azalea Festival the pre-festival party kicks off the 2012 Azalea Festival with food fun and music by the band Sleeping Booty. Last year the event was sold out! The party begins at 7 p.m. and will continue to midnight. Ticket prices are still undetermined. For more information call (910) 794-4650 or visit www.ncazaleafestival.org.

As the official kick-off event for Wilmingtons social season the Founders Gala is the premiere black tie event in the area. The Annual Founders Gala features epicurean delights from Wilmingtons best chefs and the music of Party On the Moon. In 2011 due to the generosity of many the Founders Gala provided funding for a pediatric isolette for the medical centers smallest patients. Proceeds from the event will benefit the Pediatric Endowment at Betty H. Cameron Womens and Childrens Hospital at New Hanover Regional Medical Center. Attendees include the New Hanover Regional Medical Center Foundation family of physicians managed care partners corporate business partners and donors as well as community leaders. To RSVP contact Jamie Thompson at (910) 815-5042.

Each year nearly half a million women die from cardiovascular disease. As stated by Robin Harper RNthe founder of the NHRMC Red Dress event “Women cant afford to wait until symptoms appear. They need to be empowered with knowledge early on so they can protect themselves against this deadly disease.” Proceeds are used to provide free cholesterol screenings and heart disease education to help women identify risk factors so they can be proactive in their health. Ms. Chelsea Cooley Altman Miss USA 2005 will emcee. This annual event is held on national Red Dress Day in an effort to raise awareness about women and heart disease. A trunk show will be added this year in addition to the heart-warming fashion show. To RSVP contact Jamie Thompson at (910) 815-5042.

Every 35 seconds someone dies from cardiovascular disease. The Heart Ball is an annual black-tie event that funds research and raises awareness for cardiovascular disease and stroke the number one cause of death among both men and women. The event begins at 6 p.m. with dinner and cocktails live music from Jack Jack 180 and dancing. In the past the event has raised more than $100 000 for the American Heart Association the American Stroke Associations research and education programs. For more information contact Ashley Miller at (910) 538-9270 or email ashleymiller@heart.org.

Cape Fear Literacy Council commemorates its 27th year with its annual 2012 gala from 7-11 p.m. on March 3 at the Air Wilmington Hangar. This years theme is “Casablanca.” There will be liquid refreshments live music by Blivet casino-style games with funny money for raffle prizes (no real gambling) and auction items ranging from vacations to local art and gift certificates. Gala proceeds provide crucial financial support to CFLCs local adult and family literacy programs. For more information phone CFLC at (910) 251-0911 or visit www.cfliteracy.org.

Since 1966 the Historic Wilmington Foundation has successfully saved hundreds of historic properties from demolition. One of its most successful fundraisers is the Home Tour. During the last several years the foundation has included houses from a range of different architectural styles time periods and locales. The tour begins at 1 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday. Tickets are $30 the day of the tours but a discounted price of $25 will be given to those who purchase in advance or online. All proceeds will benefit the Historic Wilmington Foundations efforts to protect and preserve buildings in Wilmington and the Lower Cape Fear Region. Tickets are available online at historicwilmington.org wilmingtontickets.com and at the following locations around town: Azalea Festival Office Harris Teeter stores The Fishermans Wife The Ivy Cottage The Sterling House The Transplanted Garden and any of the participating homes on the day of the tour. For more information contact Laura Trivett at (910) 762-2511 trivett@historicwilmington.org or visit www.historicwilmington.org.

One of the Domestic Violence Shelters largest fundraising events is staged at the Hilton Wilmington Riverside. Two fashion shows feature pieces from the DVS Vintage Values resale shops. Celebrity models live and silent auctions and seated lunch and dinner pack the house during this pair of frequently sold-out events. All proceeds fund the foundations shelter and services. For more information call Diane Lomax at (910) 343-9969.

If your 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization has an event you would like WBM to include in the May 2012 issues Nonprofit Social Calendar please email details to marimar@luminanews.com. Dates and locations are subject to change. Please check with the organizations closer to the event date for confirmation. Copyright 2011 Wrightsville Beach Magazine. May not be reproduced in any format without written permission from the publisher.