As Christmas is quickly approaching, families are putting up their decorations, gathering for the season, and wrapping presents. However, there are some families who are less fortunate but their children still deserve the Christmas spirit and Brunswick Family Assistance is just the place for it.
Founded in 1981, the Brunswick Family Assistance has been helping out families in Brunswick county who may be less fortunate. They have several programs. Year round, they have a food, housing, utility, and prescription program to help pay a small percentage for each once or twice a year. They also have an emergency shelter fund; due to the storm, it is empty.
Brunswick Family Assistance works with a fundraiser called Bucks for Bikes that gifts children bicycles. They have also worked with other programs outside Brunswick Family Assistance such as Birthday Wishes, Toys for Tots, and Pawsibility.
The seasonal programs are Christmas in July, Summer Food, Fill the Sleigh, and the Christmas Project. The Christmas Project, started in the late 1990s, aids children 0-12 and adults 60+. Each individual gets 3 wishes (under $30) and a bike from the Bucks for Bikes Program. Applications for the program run from September-November 4. Donations are accepted from November-December 2. Until December 10, volunteers are quickly packing boxes for each of the applicants. Then, December 10-12, distribution of the boxes occur. For family boxes, a Food Lion gift card and a turkey are bundled with it. Fill the Sleigh is very similar to the Christmas Project, but it aids 13-18 year olds.
There are several locations both in Leland, Ocean Isle/Calabash/Shallotte, and Southport/Bolivia to donate toys, clothes, toiletries, etc. to Brunswick Family Assistance. This year alone, they have had 1700 people who have helped, 1200 of which helped with the Christmas Project.
The volunteers mainly consist of retirees. Occasionally, there are students for group projects that come in to help as well. To become a volunteer, you must fill out an application and undergo an orientation to be kept in the process. Currently, Brunswick Family Assistance has over 200 consistent volunteers. They also have 14 long-term staff members in total at the Bolivia and Leland locations.
The Executive Director in charge of Brunswick Family Assistance is Kyle Abrams. I had the pleasure of interviewing him and walking around their Bolivia warehouse where the magic happens. Though he has been there for a short period of time, he has guided and helped the organization in numerous ways. He has goals to expand their social media presence as well to increase awareness. He believes for any non-profit organization to happen, it takes a community effort. “It is remarkable how many people get involved. [At Brunswick Family Assistance] it feels like family. People that come in are greeted by name…It is a warm and welcoming place.”
Kyle Abrams thinks highly of the Christmas Project as well. “I think it’s hard to be left out of Christmas…You want kids and seniors to have that normalcy…it tugs at your heart strings.” Christmas is a time that is for love and giving. Some families may be struggling financially or are unable to buy their children the wants they have asked for. Every child deserves a Christmas and every senior deserves to be remembered for Christmas. To some, it may not look like much, but to those who are helped, they will forever be grateful.
This year, Brunswick Family Assistance has raised over 1.3 million dollars and has aided 39,774 people. These numbers go up every day. Overall, their numbers decrease each year. COVID-19 was the height of their donations and help. As a non-profit organization, it is hard to maintain the numbers. Every donation counts. Small contributions can make waves in these types of programs.
Visit https://brunswickfamily.org/ to donate, volunteer, or apply for assistance.
Bolivia office phone number: 910-754-4766
Leland office phone number: 910-408-1700
Bolivia office phone number: 910-754-4766
Leland office phone number: 910-408-1700
