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October 3, 2019
Children – their education, health, and well-being – are the core of HeartWorks’ mission. Their yearly fundraising weekend, Harborfest for HeartWorks, was the perfect opportunity to remind donors and attendees what the non-profit organization is all about.HeartWorks wanted to represent their children at the gala, so volunteers helped create the HeartWorks ‘Children’. Each one sat at the center of a table, accompanied by toys and a book.Saturday night, nearly every table had a book, a few toys, and to-scale, articulated doll. They’re the HeartWorks Children, dreamt up by Lynn Mattea and Cyndy Little, assembled with the time and talents of a host of volunteers.
There are boys and girls, those with long hair and curly hair, some have glasses or a missing front tooth. Some look happy while others are sad or contemplative. Terry McCotter says they’re indicative of the children HeartWorks serves with their after-school programs, Safe Start Academy, and summer learning programs.
Lynn Mattea, Terry McCotter, and Cyndy Little were all on the decorations committee. ‘The purpose of the Children,’ said Little, ‘was to get the focus of children in front of people’s faces, so they remember that this is what [Harborfest for HeartWorks] is really all about.’HarborFest is two nights: a casual BBQ dinner and live music on Friday night, and a catered dinner with a silent and live auction, and live music on Saturday night.
It will take a week or more to tally up the final results from Harborfest, says director Karen Prince. The proceeds will go to supporting their existing programs as well as helping fund the construction of new classrooms behind their existing building.
Both the Friday night BBQ and Saturday night’s gala took place under a tent at River Dunes.Thank you cards from HeartWorks’ students greeted patrons at the sign-in desk Friday night.On Friday night, Roland’s BBQ Catering served fried chicken, too.Debora Steenson is decorated with one half of the raffle tickets she sold for Friday’s 50/50 raffle.Chris Daniels, Scott Finch, and Mark Hoff of Saltwater Gold took the stage at the Friday night BBQ.At the silent auction, paintings – like this ‘International Street Scene’ – were on the block.A birdhouse and a Blue Crab were also up for bid.Harry and Finola Corbett, Don Henderson and Linda Larson helped out with the silent auction.The faces of the Children were painted by ladies at the Pamlico Senior Center, sewn, stuffed, and assembled by volunteers for HeartWorks.[page]
Debby Hollowell and Wynne Paul at Saturday’s gala.Some decorations drew on beloved books, like Alice in Wonderland.Tweedledee and Tweedeledum begin the tale of The Walrus and The Carpenter.Sam and Heidi Tyler were enjoying sunset at Grace Harbor, waiting for the silent auction to end.The tables were full, patrons done with dinner and waiting for the live auction to begin.Debora Steenson was back in action Saturday night, pointing out bidders in the live auction.Mark Lee, Neha Mehta, and their sons Emmet and Rohen. Mark’s parents, Rod and Dr. Sue Lee, founded HeartWorks in 2002.The Entertainers played Carolina Beach music to get dancers on the floor.Time for a sound check.The Entertainers live up to their name.A crowded dance floor, just what the band asked for.Rusty Huffines, wearing the same stylish pink shorts to the gala year after year, pays for his winning bid at the end of the evening.The ‘Children’ of HeartWorks.