North Brunswick for Community Action: A Small Group with a Big Heart

Story by Heather Lowery

Photography by Logan Wallace

We’ve all heard amazing stories about small communities joining together to help others in times of need. When listening to these incredible reports, we realize the immense power behind a modest number of volunteers. Acts of kindness, even by a few, change countless lives for the better. Others’ good deeds lead to our own inspirations and can energize us to the point that we want to join in these virtuous efforts. Yet, even with good intentions, we sometimes do not know how or where to get started.

Rewarding volunteer opportunities are right here in North BrunswickCounty. One such possibility is a recently formed civic group called North Brunswick for Community Action. This group, which has grown to about 30 members in a short period of time, has already begun making great strides in helping local citizens.

The idea for the group came into being when Leland resident Sharon Collins and her friend Maryanne Fagerquist were campaigning for the recent presidential election.

“As we knocked on doors in the northern part of the county, we discovered the disparity of living,” explains Collins.

In continuance with the spirit of the campaign, all volunteers were encouraged to adopt a local cause.

“I looked online for area events and saw none, so I decided to host an event,” says Collins. “Six people showed up at my home and we shared experiences about what brought us to this area, what needs we saw for the community and how a civic group like this should be formed.”

The six members voted on their group’s name and began researching specific needs for the community. They continued to gather at meetings to discuss plans for how the group should evolve and what their first mission would entail.

“We felt that there were a number of people in the community that fell through the system, that were not necessarily part of a structured source of support,” says Collins. “We believed that we wanted to create a group that had no political or religious affiliations since the common ground was the belief that civic engagement benefits the community.”

The group soon learned that Jayne Mathews, director of the BrunswickCountyVolunteerCenter, was the primary contact for volunteer events, so they asked her to speak at their February meeting. Mathews informed the group that it was a struggle getting volunteers to perform their good works in the Leland area, as they generally tended to gravitate to Wilmington.

After Mathews’ visit, the group, more than ever, felt its purpose was to meet the immediate needs of the northern part of BrunswickCounty. Throughout several months, the group began to grow as it gained publicity and initial members brought along new friends. The group also decided on its first project.

“We adopted the challenge to support a food distribution for Manna Ministries headed by Pastor Jay Merritt, as part of the STOP Hunger campaign,” says Collins. “We coordinated drives in several communities: Liberty Landing, WindsorPark, HighlandShores, Westport and Magnolia Greens.”

The group also collected donations from area businesses, such as Walmart, Harris Teeter, Piggly Wiggly and Food Lion.

The group’s first mission was a huge accomplishment. Their goal was to collect 6,000 pounds of food and $800. As it turned out, they gathered 4,000 pounds of food and overwhelmingly exceeded their monetary aim with a total of $2,600.

“Every dollar purchased ten dollars worth of food,” states Collins. “We were delighted with the group’s effort.” Not only was their drive successful, but they also gained new members along the way.

“During our food drive,” notes Collins, “we identified four folks who wanted to be a part of the cause.”

In July the group was informed about “Christmas in July,” a program in which Brunswick Family Assistance finds sponsors to supply backpacks, school supplies, shoes and clothes for elementary through middle school students at the beginning of the school year. North Brunswick for Community Action adopted 20 students.

North Brunswick for Community Action has another equally important purpose that sets it apart. As well as attracting like-minded individuals who want to help people in the community, the members also wish to act as a support unit for each other. Furthermore, they plan to celebrate their joint successes to keep the group socially active.

“We also hope to identify talents in the group that can springboard into helping each other, as well as the community,” states Collins.

The group plans to meet about every six weeks, especially during a project.

“We want everyone to realize that we are a grassroots group and democratically run,” says Collins. “We want people to know that their level of commitment and time can be based on their driving interest for a particular project. One mission may move an individual to action more than another. Any amount of time makes a big difference.”

North Brunswick for Community Action has begun identifying its next quarterly project to benefit the community; however, the group welcomes project ideas. Various interest groups have already heard of their good works and approached them regarding potential endeavors to benefit the area.

As far as the group’s future plans, it hopes to increase its membership numbers and not only draw the interest of individuals and couples but families with children as well. More volunteers will mean the ability to complete multiple ventures at the same time.

“Our hope is to ignite the community into action so neighbors start helping neighbors,” adds Collins. “We want to tighten the social fabric and create a sense of community within this group, so in turn, that sentiment will overflow to the greater public.”

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