Ocean Ridge Charities Association Inc.
Serving the Brunswick County Community
2022
Ocean Ridge Charities
Emergency Medical Technician Scholarship
Ocean Ridge Charities Association (ORCA) is proud to announce the establishment of the “Ocean Ridge Charities Emergency Medical Technician Scholarship”, at Brunswick Community College. This scholarship will be awarded to a student pursuing their Emergency Medical Technician (EMT) certification beginning this Fall.
Claudia Piccarelli (Treasurer) and Maggy Schlink (President) presented a check for $8,500 to Elizabeth Wassum, the head of the Brunswick Community College Foundation on behalf of the Ocean Ridge community. The money for this scholarship came from final donations made to Ocean Ridge Charity Association many months after the tornado. At the time of the tornado, many residents benefited from the skills and kindness of our local EMTs.
This scholarship represents an opportunity to invest in the future of emergency medical technicians in Brunswick County. Each semester, a $500 scholarship will be awarded to a student pursuing an EMT certification. ORCA hopes to hold events in the future to add to the total of the donation. Individuals are encouraged to consider donating to this scholarship fund.
This represents the second scholarship that Ocean Ridge Charities Association has at Brunswick Community College. The first was the Ocean Ridge-David Kelly Nursing Endowment, which provides a scholarship to a nursing student each semester. This program has helped many students finish their requirements and receive nursing degrees.
Donation to Hope Harbor in the name of Peggy Rowland
After the recent passing of our dear friend and neighbor, Peggy Rowland, many Ocean Ridge residents chose to send Memorial Contributions to Ocean Ridge Charities Association in her name. These donations were matched up to $100 per household, where applicable.
This resulted in a $2,100 donation to Hope Harbor in Peggy’s memory. Peggy donated a significant amount of time and personal energy to this organization. She helped organize many golf tournaments to benefit the people needing their services and support. Hope Harbor is an organization helping women and their children, who have left unsafe living situations, to get back on their feet.
The generosity of the Ocean Ridge community is greatly appreciated by the staff of Hope Harbor. Peggy’s contributions of her time, talent and monetary support will be missed. Thank you to all who helped to make this donation possible.
Check Presentations
Corey Thurlow, COO, Judy Cunningham, Mary Perno, Brookes Versaggi, BEMC manager, member engagement & communications
Ocean Ridge Charities Association (ORCA), along with the Social Activities Committee, was proud to sponsor the “Annual Kick off to the Holidays in Ocean Ridge.” The following events contributed towards these efforts: the Holiday Crafts Fair, the Holiday Market Place, Luminaries, and the 6th annual Holiday Open House Tour. The proceeds of these events, $10,500, went to BEMC’s Warm Homes, Warm Hearts program, which DOUBLED our contribution to assist in providing heat and electric to Brunswick County residents in need. That’s $21,000! ORCA was the second largest donor to the program.
ORCA Board Member, Mary Perno, and Judy Cunningham presented the $10,500.00 check to BEMC.