55.1 F
Wrightsville Beach
Thursday, March 28, 2024

Masonboro supporters party, raise funds for conservation mission

Must read

Bluegrass trio Masonboro Sound played under a white tent as 160 adults and children enjoyed a buffet-style dinner at Bradley Creek Marina during a fundraiser for Masonboro.org. The June 11 event raised $6,500 for the organization’s preservation and conservation mission.

“The weather was wonderful. It couldn’t have been more perfect,” said Jack Kilbourne, Masonboro.org’s co-founder.

Kilbourne started the organization with Richard Johnson in 2009 after learning Masonboro Island’s stewards considered closing the uninhabited island to the public because of the amount of litter visitors were leaving behind.

Kilbourne and Johnson organized their first Masonboro Island trash pick-up for July 4, 2010.

“We decided on the end of the day there would not be a bottle cap left on the beach,” Kilbourne said. “By the time the sun set that day, the island was cleaner than it was the day before.”

Forty volunteers participated in the first annual trash cleanup. In 2014, 75 volunteers participated.

“That’s all we needed,” Kilbourne said.

Paul and Sandy Mazzola have volunteered each year since 2010.

“I don’t remember how we heard about it, but we’re awfully glad we did. … The first year, we signed up for two hours and ended up being out there all day,” Sandy said. “Every year, we volunteer morning until late afternoon.”

During this year’s July Fourth cleanup, the Mazzolas will volunteer for their first evening shift.

“We run three shifts,” Kilbourne explained.

The fundraiser gave new and veteran volunteers an opportunity to sign up for shifts for this year’s trash pick-up. Attendees could also learn more about Masonboro.org by visiting information stations — booths where volunteers described the organization’s history and purpose.

“We have a three-pronged mission statement: protecting public access of Masonboro Island, promoting responsible use — which is where our trash cleanup fits in — and preserving the tradition of Masonboro Island, which is inviting new people,” Kilbourne said.

Johnson and Kilbourne invite new people to the island by organizing field trips for elementary school students.

“We have started a program for New Hanover County fifth graders called Masonboro Island Explorer,” Kilbourne said. “We take approximately 300 students in 12 trips.”

Supported by grants from Duke Energy and the Landfall Foundation, Masonboro.org will be able to send 700 fifth graders to the island during the 2015-16 school year.

“Within three years, we hope to take all 1,900 fifth graders in New Hanover County,” Kilbourne said.

The trip’s curriculum was developed by Cissie Brooks, Wrightsville Beach School’s marine science coordinator.

“It’s an educational field trip that has three separate learning stations,” Kilbourne said.

Masonboro.org also focuses on educating adults about the island. During the fundraiser, attendees could participate in a scavenger hunt by visiting the information stations and gathering facts about the organization’s history. The name of each person who completed a scavenger hunt card was entered into a raffle drawing. One winner, Roy Talus, won a 54-quart cooler.

Attendees participated in live and silent auctions. Prizes included a stand-up paddleboard that sold for $1,250, an amethyst and diamond ring from Reeds Jewelers, and a vintage bike from Bike Cycles.

email [email protected]

Previous article
Next article
- Advertisement -spot_img

More articles

- Advertisement -spot_img

Latest articles