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hat charitable impulse hits a lot of us this time of year. But right in the midst of holiday hustle and bustle, it’s sometimes a challenge to sort out who to give to. One approach is to keep it as local as you can. Charity, after all, begins at home.

In Oriental and Pamlico County, a number of local non-profit groups have become a huge part of what makes our community tick. Some, such as HOPE Clinic and Heartworks, literally improve the health of the community. Other groups make their mark by taking a different approach to boosting the quality of life – Pamlico County Arts Council, the Pamlico Musical Society, the Old Theater and Oriental’s History Museum, among others.

These groups and others can’t do what they do without support from the rest of us, which is why the local organizations listed below especially appreciate your financial — and tax-deductible — contributions. .

So, as you consider giving a helping hand, here is a quick guide to some of the organizations serving Oriental and Pamlico County. You’ll find links and contacts so that you may find out even more.

HOPE Clinic
HOPE Clinic provides free medical care to hundreds of Pamlico County residents who have little or no insurance. The energy of a lot of volunteers and contributors — from the doctors and nurse practicioners to the dentists to Bayboro Pharmacy — make HOPE Clinic work. You can also be part of that effort. Checks may be sent to HOPE Clinic Box 728, Bayboro, NC 28515. And now, you can even donate on-line via Pay Pal at the HOPE Clinic website. or contact the HOPE Clinic Message Center at 745-5760.

Heartworks
For the past decade, HeartWorks has worked to fill in a big gap — the youth center provides many underserved young people in Pamlico County with educational and academic enrichment programs after school as well as life skills development. The non-profit community agency in Bayboro also helps youth — and their families – get the mental and physical health help that they may need. It provides a Safe Harbor – literally, that’s the name of its building on Hwy 55 in Bayboro. To get an idea of what Karen Prince and the others at Heartworks are working on, check out the most recent newsletter. To join the list of donors, send checks, made out to HeartWorks, to PO Box 365, Bayboro NC 28515. Or if you want to be sure to make the December 31 deadline , drop it off at HeartWorks’ Safe Harbor Youth Center at 709 Main Street, Bayboro(aka Hwy 55) And they could use some more volunteers…

Pamlico County Fishes and Loaves Outreach
PCFLO, as it’s called, feeds the hungry in Pamlico County. The need for fishes and loaves – and Fishes and Loaves – has grown a lot in just the past year. Since the federal and state governments have cut back on surplus food deliveries, the number of individuals PCFLO serves has jumped from 240 households in April,2013 to the current number of over 300 households. PCFLO conducts food drives but checks can stretch the food budget even further — with the money from generous donors like you, PCFLO can purchase food at bulk rates from a regional food bank, and help feed that many more families. Your tax-deductible donation – made out to PCFLO – may be sent to PCFLO, 1149 White Farm Road, Oriental, NC, 28571.

Pamlico County Arts Council
This all-volunteer organization works to encourage and promote the arts in our county. Aside from channeling grants from the North Carolina Arts Council to various local arts groups (such as the Pamlico Musical Society and the Old Theater), the Council sponsors the annual Art on the Neuse Art & Music Festival, awards a $1,000 scholarship to a Pamlico High School graduating senior each June, organizes monthly exhibitions featuring local artists at the Library and underwrites a rich array of visiting artist programs in our local schools and for the general public. But for the Pamlico Arts Council to do all that, it needs your support. You can help keep the local arts scene alive and vibrant by contributing – and becoming a member.. Memberships start at just $20 and are tax-deductible. Checks may be sent to PCAC at PO Box 104, Bayboro, NC 28515

Friends of the Pamlico County Library
Read any good books lately? Checked them out from the Pamlico County Library? Friends of the Pamlico County Library says 6500 people visit the library every month and that circulation of books was up again in the past year. The library offers more than books – there are classes and art displays, too. Much of the library’s budget comes from the County. But not all, and in order for head librarian Kat Clowers and her staff to keep up their dynamic work, well, that’s where the Friends of the Pamlico County Library comes in. Supporting local literacy is its goal. It buys books that the library’s budget can’t afford. Its great seasonal book sales raise some funds but the Friends could use some more financial help. Checks, made out to Friends of the Library, may be addressed and sent to Friends of the Pamlico Library, Pamlico County Library, 603 Main Street, Bayboro, NC 28515

Pamlico Community College Foundation
This foundation raises money for scholarships to Pamlico Community College. The money raised by the PCCF helps students who might not otherwise afford it take this first step toward a degree. Some of the county residents are the first persons in their families to attend college at any level. The PCC Foundation says that if it can help just one person get a college education, by starting at PCC then it will have been worth the effort. Your contribution would be much appreciated and can be sent to the: Pamlico Community College Foundation, PO Box 185, Grantsboro, NC 28529

Oriental’s History Museum

For 8 years, Oriental’s History Museum has been putting together a treasure trove of displays and histories to help visitors — and residents — understand more of our town’s story. Not only does Oriental’s History Museum provide a link to the past, it also serves as a Welcome Center for tourists. What’s remarkable is that the museum and its volunteers do all this while relying entirely on donations from the public. (They get nothing from our town’s coffers.) That means it’s up to us — residents and visitors alike — to help pay for those operational costs. You can do that by becoming a member or just by making a donation. Checks may be made payable to: Oriental’s History Museum PO Box 103, Oriental, NC 28571. The museum – on Broad Street – also has a gift shop and sells plaques and markers for houses around town.

The Old Theater

How many times a year do you find yourself in Oriental’s Old Theater hearing music, seeing performances, watching a movie? It started life as a movie theater, but today is the go-to place in town for concerts, plays, movies, children’s programs and a variety of civic, business, club and charity events. It is a town jewel and it’s the volunteers with the Old Theater Corporation who keep the venue going so that it’s always ready for an audience. Memberships start at $30 — which is a deal, because it gets you a discount on many events at the theater. For a membership form, go to www.OldTheater.org. Send checks to the Old Theater Corporation, PO Box 521, Oriental, NC 28571. You can also support the Old Theater with the purchase of a courtyard brick engraved with your name or message. Email oldtheater@gmail.com on how to order.

One place to make your mark: donate to the Old Theater and get your name in the brick outside the stage door.

North Carolina Coastal Federation

The N.C. Coastal Federation focuses on restoring and protecting the coast. Its offices are in Ocean, in Carteret County but its work runs up and down the coast and water fronts. Here in Pamlico County, it was the NC Coastal Federation that drew attention late this summer to the possible loss of wetlands at the Atlas Tract in Florence and Merritt, a story that continues to play out. Among NCCF’s other missions: environmental education, coastal habitat restoration and strengthening environmental standards. Every spring they hold a pretty cool native plant sale, too. Tax-deductible donations may be sent to NC Coastal Federation at 3609 NC 24 (Ocean), Newport, NC 28570. More info – and options for giving – at their website, nccoast.org

Neuse RiverKeeper Foundation
One pleasure of life in Oriental is how we can take a five minute walk from anywhere and be looking out on the Neuse River or one of its tributaries. That serenity is something we may take for granted. Not so the Neuse Riverkeepers which works to protect the river from polluters, and to bring more people to have a stake in doing so. To learn more, click here. where they have a PayPal option. Or send your checks to Lower Neuse Riverkeepers,P.O. Box 15451, New Bern, NC 28561

Girls On The Run
This mentoring organization works with girls in grades 3-8 to help them make healthy choice as they head in to adolescence. The afterschool program trains them for a 5K run but goes beyond that to build self confidence. Contributions from donors help to offset the costs the girls would pay to be part of the GOTR program. Your tax-deductible donation made out to Girls On The Run may be mailed to 6019 Falcon Road, Oriental, NC 28571. For more info on the organization and on how to volunteer, contact Elizabeth McDonald at gotrpamlico@gmail.com or Jean Chastang at chastang45@gmail.com. There is also info at their website, gotrpamlico.org.

One girl, on the run, in the Girls on the Run of Pamlico County’s 5K race in spring of 2012. The organization says it “envisions a world where every girl knows and activates her limitless potential and is free to boldly pursue her dreams.”

Pamlico Musical Society
This all-volunteer group pulls off some great events, bringing performers to the Old Theater who simply would otherwise not come all the way here to our village at the end of NC Hwy 55. Some of those artists visit the schools, too and share the music with younger ears. Pamlico Musical Society has kept the ticket prices affordable thanks to a combo of grants and donations. Thing is, much of the grant money has dried up, so your contribution is ever more important.

Membership in the PaMuSo has its rewards, too. You can get early access to buying tickets for shows you especially want to see, and at some levels of giving, invites to the artist receptions. In the larger scheme of things, though, the more funds that Pamlico Musical Society receives from all of us, the higher caliber performers it can put on our stage. If you haven’t become a member of the Pamlico Music Society, this is your chance. (Another way to give: becoming a sponsor for a particular show.)

PAWS – Pamlico Animal Welfare Society
PAWS looks out for the dogs and cats that need new homes. Those rescues take an effort and some money. They also work to reduce the need for rescues through a pragmatic spaying and neutering program. You can help out PAWS by sending your tax-deductible check to PAWS at PO Box 888, Oriental, NC 28571.

Hospice of Pamlico County
The Hospice of Pamlico County provides comfort and care for the terminally ill. Your donation can help them do the important work of offering that kind of comfort. Send your check to Hospice of Pamlico County, PO Box 95, Bayboro, NC 28515 (You can also help Hospice by bringing your no-longer-wanted clothing and household items to their thrift shop in Bayboro/Alliance — and by finding and buying some treasures there.)

Public Radio East
Many of us intentionally sought out a life here in this remote corner of eastern NC. But at the same time, we come to appreciate links to the world beyond Pamlico County. That’s where Public Radio East comes in — and why you hear it on radios all over town. Like the internet, PRE gives you ties to the larger world, while at the same time making you feel part of a community.

PRE brings you NPR news, Prairie Home Companion, Car Talk and music…. and then, in an odd way to do business, asks you to pay what you want for it. About one in ten listeners contribute. If you appreciate public radio’s discussion of issues without all that shouting, you’ll appreciate this quiet request that you become part of that 10 percent who pays to keep it going. PRE says that per capita, folks here in the Oriental area make up one of the station’s strongest areas of support. It happens one supporter at a time… Click here for a pledge form from Public Radio East. (And even if you are here only part of the time and give to a station somewhere else, why not support PRE, too, for making your time in Oriental that much better?)

Thanks for contributing to these organizations that contribute so much.

You can give in your name, or, as a gift to someone else, in their name. That charitable giving may help ease your tax burden, but no matter your motivation, your financial contribution is much appreciated.

Posted Monday December 16, 2013 by Melinda Penkava