The committee organizing Wrightsville Beach’s annual holiday boat parade is closer to being able to include students from a New Hanover County school located in a high poverty and crime zone.
The Holiday Flotilla Committee has secured Wilmington-based Castle Branch as a sponsor for the D.C. Virgo Preparatory Academy’s entry into the 32nd Annual Holiday Flotilla, committee members said during a Monday, July 27 meeting.
Castle Branch, a screening and compliance management service company, will donate at least $3,000 to fund the academy’s science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) students’ participation in the parade, said committee member Jane Martin. The D.C. Virgo Preparatory Academy, located at 813 Nixon St. in Wilmington, has some of the lowest-income student enrollment in the area, with more than 87 percent of students qualifying for free or reduced school lunch.
Martin added Castle Branch will also supply volunteer involvement which could include decorating the boat and/or riding on the boat.
During a prior committee meeting, chairman Pres Davenport said there are many ways students from the school can participate in the flotilla, including decorating a boat, designing a boat or simply riding on one.
The flotilla features lighted, decorated boats, each with a theme. The event occurs the Saturday night after Thanksgiving.
In 2014, Castle Branch participated in the flotilla by decorating an entry to the parade with a Peter Pan theme.
“It looked like Captain Hook’s boat. We had pirate flags going up the side. We had the Jolly Roger on one of the sails. The other flag was the Castle Branch banner,” said Colby Danforth, Castle Branch’s senior accounts manager. “We ended up having an individual here volunteer to give us his boat.”
Danforth dressed up as Peter Pan and his colleagues dressed as Tinker Bell, Wendy and Captain Hook. He said Castle Branch donated the time and money to allow them to spend two weeks decorating the boat.
Danforth said when the Castle Branch entry won one of the categories judged in the parade, they donated the cash prize to D.C. Virgo’s STEM program.
During the meeting, committee members also discussed how to improve the organization’s fundraising abilities.
Martin said by becoming a tax-exempt 501(c)(3) organization, the flotilla committee could attract more corporate donations from companies.
Davenport has spoken with attorneys about the process of becoming a 501(c)(3).
“Now that we’re taking a more active philanthropic role, we can apply to become a (c)(3),” he said. “It’s a long and difficult process. There could be some significant legal fees, and we may ultimately determine it’s not worth it. We’re still in the exploratory phase.”
Davenport also mentioned the prizes that will be offered to the captains of award-winning boats. Awards are given in seven categories, including Best in Show. Davenport said the prizes should be boating products, such as marine coolers.
“The idea is to get creative things to give to people,” he said. “That would be as appealing as cash to the boaters.”
The committee also welcomed a new treasurer, Katherine Dodd. Prior to joining the flotilla committee, Dodd served as parish administrator for St. Andrew’s On-the-Sound Episcopal Church for 15 years.
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