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On October 19, the Outer Banks Seafood Festival continued its tradition of celebrating and supporting the local fishing industry. Proceeds from the festival benefit the Outer Banks Seafood Festival Fund, managed by the Outer Banks Community Foundation. This fund supports vital initiatives, including a recent grant to North Carolina Watermen United (NCWU), which advocates for commercial and recreational watermen along North Carolina’s coast.

North Carolina Watermen United (NCWU) stands as a voice advocating for those who work the water every day, representing members of the charter-for-hire, head boat, commercial and recreational sectors across North Carolina’s coast.

“We reinforce our mission by participating in community events, such as the Outer Banks Seafood Festival, with interactive presentations and educational activities,” said Woody Joyner, president of NCWU. “A generous grant from the Outer Banks Seafood Festival’s Fund at the Outer Banks Community Foundation has provided the NCWU with the funds to assist our fishing communities. Our Foundation Relief Fund also allows us to receive monetary donations for a specific cause from the surrounding fishing communities and disperse those funds to the deserving families.”

“The Outer Banks Seafood Festival was founded to promote and support our commercial fishing industry, a cornerstone of our community,” said Richard Hess, chairman of the Outer Banks Seafood Festival Board. “We are proud to steward the proceeds for the benefit of our working watermen and their families.”

The festival fund was also instrumental in assisting the families of Capt. Charlie Griffin and mate Chad Dunn, who tragically lost their lives in a boating accident. “Making this donation was close to our hearts,” said Karen Brown, president/CEO of the Outer Banks Chamber of Commerce. “We did it out of kindness and love.”

The full Outer Banks Community Foundation story by Sam Walker about Outer Banks Seafood Festival Fund can be found online at obcf.org/seafood-festival-fund.

“The maritime industry is a cornerstone and key economic driver of our Outer Banks,” said Community Foundation president and CEO Chris Sawin. “This is the first fund established at the Community Foundation to specifically support the hard-working members of this industry, and we couldn’t be more grateful to The Outer Banks Seafood Festival for their generous efforts.”

Go to outerbanksseafoodfestival.org for more information.

At the Outer Banks Community Foundation, there are many ways to get involved in philanthropy. For more information, go to OBCF.org.

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