Widow’s Mite Experience offers Valentine’s Day cheer
People across the U.S. take safe water for granted, which makes the Flint, Mich. catastrophe astonishing, but the Center for Disease Control and Prevention states 780 million people worldwide do not have access to safe water.
Widow’s Mite Experience, the nonprofit 401c(3) with headquarters in Shallotte, N.C., has helped alleviate the problem by digging wells around the world.
“We work with ministries,” says Janet Baker of Holden Beach, N.C., founder and president of the faith-based organization. “We ask where the greatest need is.”
Records show the organization has dug 1,300 wells and raised over $3 million since its inception in 2004. It has chapters in 27 countries with five in the U.S.
This humanitarian project started in Brunswick County, N.C., when a group of church women decided to seek a purpose in their lives. After brainstorming, soul-searching and praying, they decided clean water was the answer to not only solving physical ailments but also providing spiritual enlightenment.
To raise money for this ministry, the group decided to ask people for something they treasure to be auctioned off, citing the gospel verse about the poor widow (Luke 21:1-4), who put in all she had to give, two copper coins. The first auction raised $35,000, and the group partnered with World Reach Inc. to dig wells with the agreement that one hundred percent of net proceeds go to the project.
The first well was dug in Niger, but others followed in Kenya, Mozambique, Peru, Philippines, China, Haiti, Guatemala and many other countries. Wells serve 500-1000 people every day. The one in Kenya on the border of Somalia serves 10,000 people every day.
The group supports other projects to bring safe water to people. One of them is “Back the Pack.” A $30 donation buys a backpack women fill with water and carry on their backs in place of carrying a water-filled jar on their heads. The chapter in Guatemala started its own fundraiser by making dolls and sending them to Shallotte where Widow’s Mite Experience sells them at events for $50. Half the money buys supplies to make more dolls, the other half for digging wells.
The group holds several fundraiser-auctions each year, and the next one is Feb. 12 at Sea Trail Conference Center, Sunset Beach, N.C. “This is an unusual Valentine evening,” Baker says, adding a mysterious smile. “We promise lots of fun and surprises.”
The Widow’s Mite Experience story is told at its website: www.WidowsMiteExperience.com.
Contact | jamathews124@gmail.com
What | Widow’s Mite Experience Heart to Heart Valentine’s Day fundraiser-auction
Where | Sea Trail Conference Center Ballroom, 75 Clubhouse Road, Sunset Beach, N.C.
When | 6:30 p.m. Feb. 12
Cost | $25 per person, includes food from around the world, special Valentine desserts. $500 sponsors a table of 10.
Contact | 910-547-4668,
info@WidowsMiteExperience.com,
www.WidowsMiteExperience.com
Details | Live music, silent and live auctions with 12 vacation sites for bidding. Tickets available at 910-754-5526
Other events on the North Strand
AARP TAX AIDES
What | Assistance with tax preparation
Where | Hickmans Crossroads Library, 1040 Calabash Road, Calabash, N.C.
When | 9 a.m. – 1 p.m. Wed., Thurs., Fri. until April 15
Cost | Free
Contact | 910-575-0173, Christi.Iffergan@brunswickcountync.gov
Details | Those coming for the first time, bring photo I.D.
ALASKA TUNDRA ON FIRE!
What | Global warming expert Richard Hilderman discusses the 2015 fires in Alaska
Where | Museum of Coastal Carolina, 21 E. Second St., Ocean Isle Beach, N.C.
When | 11 a.m. Feb. 6
Cost | adults, $9; 62+, $8; 3-12, $7; 2 and under, free
Contact | 910-579-1016; susan@museumnplantarium.org; www.MuseumPlanetarium.org;
Details | Alaska experienced 319 active fires at one time. Hilderman explains why the fires occurred and their impact on the global climate.
WORKING IN THE STUDIO
What | Artist Richard Staat of Oak Island Art Guild leads a watercolor workshop
Where | Oak Island Recreation Center, 3003 E. Oak Island Drive, Oak Island, N.C.
When | 9:30 a.m. Feb. 12
Cost | Free, public invited
Contact | joannstaat@gmail.com
Details | Bring watercolor paper, paints (all mediums), photo or sketch to work from
THE GREAT BACKYARD BIRD COUNT
What | Birding enthusiast Kurt Hugelmeyer describes how the GBBC works and how to participate.
Where | Museum of Coastal Carolina, 21 E. Second St., Ocean Isle Beach, N.C.
When | 11 a.m. Feb. 13
Cost | adults, $9; 62+, $8; 3-12, $7; 2 and under, free
Contact | 910-579-1016; susan@museumnplantarium.org; www.MuseumPlanetarium.org;
Details | Hugelmeyer presents a slide show of local birds and how to identify and count them.
LOVE IS IN THE STARS
What | Will Snyder, manager of Ingram Planetarium, discusses the love stories immortalized in the Constellations
Where | Ingram Planetarium, 7625 High Market St. (off Sunset Blvd., behind Food Lion), Sunset, Beach, N.C.
When | 7 p.m. Feb. 13
Cost | Adults, $9; 62+, $8; 3-12, $7; 2 and under, free
Contact | 910-575-0033, www.MuseumPlanetarium.org, susan@museumplanetarium.org
Details | Hear about Perseus rescuing Andromeda, the escape of Aphrodite and Eros and more
MENSA GAME CHALLENGES
What | Education coordinator Maria Knapik presents Mensa-style activities to teach children and adults about animal classification.
Where | Museum of Coastal Carolina, 21 E. Second St., Ocean Isle Beach, N.C.
When | 11 a.m. Feb. 20
Cost | adults, $9; 62+, $8; 3-12, $7; 2 and under, free
Contact | 910-579-1016; susan@museumnplantarium.org; www.MuseumPlanetarium.org;
Details | Focus is on local animals, their habitats, behavior and appearance
FIFTH ANNUAL COLLECTORS’ EVENT
What | Fundraiser for Burroughs-Chapin Art Museum
Where | Collector’s Café & Gallery, 740 N. Kings Hwy., Myrtle Beach
When | 4-5 p.m. art preview, 5-7 p.m. Event, Feb. 21
Cost | $100 for two people
Contact | 238-2510 or http://myrtlebeachartmuseum.myshopify.com/products/5th-annual-collectors-event
ADULT COLORING SESSION
Where | Hickmans Crossroads Library, 1040 Calabash Road, Calabash, N.C.
When | 10 a.m. every Tuesday
Cost | Free
Contact | 910-575-0173, email: Christi.Iffergan@brunswickcountync.gov
Details | Library supplies coloring sheets and colors, but people can bring their own
CAREGIVER & COFFEE CLINIC
What | Support group and conversations
Where | SECU Hospice House of Brunswick, 955 Mercy Lane, Bolivia, N.C.
When | 3rd Monday of month
Cost | 0mFree
Contact | Haylie Long, 910-515-5038, email: Haylie.long@lcfh.org
Details | Offers caregivers encouragement and support; those attending share experiences
COASTAL SHAG CLUB DANCE
What | Monthly Shag Club dance, includes shag and line dancing and other dances, 50/50 raffle
Where | Shallotte Moose Lodge, 253 Holden Beach Road, Shallotte, N.C.
When | 6:30-10 p.m. Feb. 20
Cost | $5 for members of any shag club, $8, guests. If you mention BOGO (buy one/get one), one gets in free
Contact | boyd_pat@yahoo.com, www.Coastalshagclub.org
Details | Club meetings are 1st Thursday of the month at 6 p.m., Shallotte Moose Lodge. Dances are 3rd Saturday of the month at 6:30 p.m.
SUPPORT GROUP FOR STROKE SURVIVORS AND CAREGIVERS
What | The public is invited to attend the group with Karol Asbjornsonas facilitator
Where | Seaside United Methodist Church, 1300 Seaside Road, Sunset Beach, N.C.
When | 1:30 p.m. 2nd Thursday of each month
Cost | Free, no reservations required
Contact | Karol, 910-575-2452
This story was originally published February 10, 2016 at 11:00 PM with the headline "Widow’s Mite Experience offers Valentine’s Day cheer."