NEWS AND EVENTS
Darling Daughter Dance 2025
The Darling Daughter Dance 2025 was another resounding success!
We are thrilled to announce that the event raised $13,000 for children in foster care and other challenging circumstances in Brunswick County. Dads and father figures escorted their girls to a memorable evening filled with delicious food, face painting, and cherished moments. Thank you to all who supported this incredible cause and made a lasting impact on our community!
Brunswick County Social Services Thanks WAVES 4 K.I.D.S.
Darling Daughter Dance raises $11,000 to benefit WAVES 4. K.I.D.S.
In a heartwarming display of community spirit, the Darling Daughter Dance hosted an unforgettable evening on February 4 at the Southport Community Center, in Southport, NC. The event saw 150 fathers, grandfathers, special friends and daughters come together to raise money for WAVES 4 K.I.D.S.
The highlight of the evening was not just the delightful dance moves but the overwhelming generosity displayed by the community. Through ticket sales, donations, and auctions, the event raised an impressive $11,000 for WAVES 4 K.I.D.S. which helps children and teens under the care of the Brunswick County Department of Social Services.
The event atmosphere was filled with delight, excitement, twirls, and laughter as everyone donned their finest attire, hit the dance floor, and made some very special memories while helping make a difference in the lives of others. "The community support for this event was huge. It was a special evening for a great cause, we are so thankful to all that participated," Jennfer Henry, Dance Committee Member.
The Darling Daughter Dance Committee and WAVES 4 K.I.D.S. extend their heartfelt gratitude to everyone who contributed to the success of the event. "Together, we can continue to spread love, hope, and joy to those who need it most. The event served as a reminder that a simple act can ripple outward, touching others and transforming lives in profound ways," commented Melissa White, WAVES 4 K.I.D.S. Board Member and Dance Committee Member.
Ocean Ridge Charities Association Helps WAVES 4 K.I.D.S.
Ocean Ridge Charities Association (ORCA) has donated $2,600 to WAVES 4 K.I.D.S. to purchase supplies needed for their Kids Kloset.
“ORCA has been a repeating supporter of our mission, and this donation is another indication of how they assist WAVES to help children and families under the care of the Brunswick County Department of Social Services,” emphasizes John Waters, WAVES president.
“We help Brunswick County social workers who have identified needs for children under their care” explains Karen Bowman, WAVES chair of Kids Kloset.
“Kids Kloset can provide car seats, Pack-N-Plays, diapers and infant and hygiene supplies for emergency placements,” Bowman explained. She added Kids Kloset also addresses special needs such as purchasing beds and mattresses for two children placed with a relative who did not have any extra beds or mattresses
Significant support also is provided by Kids Kloset to In-Home services families who are working to make needed changes in order to safely maintain the child in the home. “Car seats are expensive and need to be replaced often so we recently provided car seats for a family with three children,” Bowman commented.
In addition to Kids Kloset, WAVES4 K.I.D.S. funds programs such as summer camps, sports participation, backpacks and supplies to start the school year and home safety needs. Gift cards are provided for emergency gas, food and clothing needs. WAVES also provides scholarships for education studies beyond high school.
Visit waves4kids.org for more information about WAVES and how you can help support their important programs.
Peninsula Neighborhood in Brunswick Forest
Donates $1000 To Waves 4 K.I.D.S.
From left to right: Jeanne Linhart, Janet Petrillo, Joan Johnson, John Waters, Elyse Sherman, and Lynn Miller.
A New Year’s Eve Luminaries sale and display held by the neighborhood Social Committee in The Peninsula at Brunswick Forest has donated $1000 to WAVES 4 K.I.D.S.
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“We are very grateful to receive this donation which is even more impressive as fewer than half of the planned 94 homes were currently occupied,” explains John Waters, WAVES President.
“Through the efforts of the Social Committee, the entire community came together. In addition to current residents, homeowners in the process of building and those who hadn’t even started building joined in buying Luminaries and in some cases donating money,” commented Joan Johnson, the chair of that committee. Joan went on to say that WAVES 4 K.I.D.S. was chosen to be the recipient of the fundraiser because “we wanted to support an organization that helps vulnerable children and teens”.
Local builders who have model homes in the community also contributed to the Luminaries sale. These include Trusst, Bill Clark Homes, Liberty, Atlantic Homes, Bell Custom Homes and Kent Homes.
WAVES 4 K.I.D.S. (Kids In Difficult Situations) helps children and teens under the care of the Brunswick County Department of Social Services by providing resources and services not available through public funds.
They fund programs such as backpacks and supplies to start the school year, supplies for emergency placements through Kids Kloset, home safety needs so children do not have to go into foster care and paying for summer camps and sports participation. Gift cards are also provided for emergency gas, food and clothing needs.
WAVES 4 K.I.D.S. Provides Christmas Gifts for children in foster care
From Left: WAVES Board members Dean Mason and Jan Britt deliver Christmas cards that include two $25 gift cards for Brunswick County children in foster care, to Rich Ohmer, Social Services Deputy Director; Michelle Mills, Foster Care Supervisor and Seanetta Kea, Foster Care Social Worker.
Children and teens in foster care in Brunswick County received an early Christmas gift from WAVES 4 K.I.D.S. thanks to the generosity of Winding River Plantation, Oak Island Elks Lodge 2759 and By the Beach Décor.
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Their donations purchased two $25 gift cards that were sent to 150 children in foster care, in a Christmas card from WAVES 4 K.I.D.S.
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The Winding River Trivia Night fundraising event donated $4100 and the Oak Island Elks Lodge provided 60 gift cards using a North Carolina Charitable Trust Endowment grant.
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Tangela Moss, owner of By the Beach Décor on Oak Island, raised enough money at her annual Christmas Kickoff to purchase 150 gift cards.
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“We are very grateful for these wonderful donations which will help make Christmas a little brighter for these children,” said Jan Britt, WAVES board member who is heading the Christmas project.
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WAVES 4 K.I.D.S. (Kids In Difficult Situations) helps children and teens under the care of the Brunswick County Department of Social Services by providing resources and services not available through public funds.
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They fund programs such as summer camps, sports participation, backpacks and supplies to start the school year, supplies for emergency placements through Kids Kloset and home safety needs so children do not have to go into foster care.
By The Beach Décor Fundraiser
Provides Gift Cards For Foster Children
WAVES 4 K.I.D.S. board members meet with Tangela Moss to thank her for her Christmas gifts for foster children.
Front row from left: Karen Bowman and Mary Snead
Back row from left: Jan Britt and By the Beach Decor owner Tangela Moss
Christmas will come a little early for Brunswick County foster children. Thanks to the efforts of Tangela Moss, owner of By the Beach Décor on Oak Island, her annual Christmas Kickoff raised enough money to purchase $25 gift cards for 150 Brunswick County foster children.
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“I have supported WAVES 4 K.I.D.S. personally and professionally for a few years now because it is such a great organization. This year I decided to add a fundraiser for them to my annual Christmas Kickoff,” Moss explained.
“This would not have been possible without the generosity of every single person that contributed in any capacity. We are so very blessed to be a part of this wonderful community,” emphasized Moss.
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“Waves 4 K.I.D.S. is very fortunate to have such a dedicated supporter as Tangela who is helping to make Christmas a little brighter for these foster children,” explains Jan Britt, who is heading WAVES Christmas project which will include the gift in the Christmas cards they are mailing to the foster children and teens.
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Moss had 3 different ways for people to contribute including gift cards, a 50/50 drawing and a “Local Basket” filled with gift cards from businesses.
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The “Local Basket” totaled over $1200 in gift cards and raised over $1800. The winners of the 50/50 drawing, Pete & Marjo Marley of Pete’s Golf Carts, donated their winnings back to the fundraiser.
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Local businesses that donated gift cards included:
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By the Beach Home Decor and Gift Shop Beachin Day Spa
Tranquil Harbor Coastal Charm
The Deli & Pub Seaside Framing
Oak Island Fitness (Chris Nifong) Strands Outfitters
Inergy Market Fuel Chiropractic
Joseph’s Italian Bistro Back to Shuckers
Island Jo Coffee & Café BBQ House
49th Street Bar & Grill Pescado Y Amor Gallery
WAVES 4 K.I.D.S. Receives Donation from
St. James Pickleball and St. James Tennis Associations
Noel Nadol- Vice President, Dawn Piper - Board Member, John Waters - President, Diana Kelly - Board Member and manager of the St. James Pickleball and Tennis Associations' fundraiser, Jeff Maidment - Secretary.
The St. James Pickleball and St. James Tennis Associations have donated $1,016 to WAVES 4 K.I.D.S. They raised the money by soliciting for and collecting sneakers of any type and condition. Their efforts resulted in collecting over 1,600 pairs. The collected sneakers were then sent to a company called GotSneakers. They in turn donate the usable ones to needy people and the others are ground up and the material recycled so no sneakers go into a landfill.
Working closely with The Department of Social Services (DSS) in Brunswick County, WAVES 4 K.I.D.S. provides financial support for needed goods and services not available through public funds for children and teens in foster care. WAVES 4 K.I.D.S. also helps prevent children from being placed in foster homes by supporting families under the care of the In-Home Services division of DSS.
“Foster children struggle in many ways that most of us cannot imagine. The St. James Pickleball Association and the St. James Tennis Association joined together to prove that they understand the struggles of the foster child world. Through their hard work and generous donation to WAVES 4 K.I.D.S. children in Brunswick County living in very difficult situations under the care of the Department of Social Services will experience a better life. The board of directors and the families we serve are grateful for your generosity,” said John Waters, President, WAVES 4 K.I.D.S.
On a monthly basis, DSS typically receives 150 - 180 reports of suspected child abuse and has around 160 children in Foster Care. Another 45 to 55 families receive In- Home Services.
Oak Island Elks Lodge 2759 Donates $1500 to WAVES 4 K.I.D.S.
Children and teens in foster care will receive a $25 VISA gift card this December thanks to the generous donation of the Oak Island Elks Lodge 2759.
The Oak Island Elks Lodge has partnered with WAVES 4 K.I.D.S. using a North Carolina Charitable Trust Endowment grant to provide 60 gift cards.
WAVES 4 K.I.D.S. (Kids In Difficult Situations) helps children and teens under the care of the Brunswick County Department of Social Services by providing resources and services not available through public funds.
They fund programs such as summer camps, sports participation, backpacks and supplies to start the school year, supplies for emergency placements through Kids Kloset and home safety needs so children do not have to go into foster care.
Elks member Glenda Dennis gives the box of gift cards to Jan Britt (WAVES).

From left: Chuck Sherman, Cheryl Sherman (Elks), Dave Tien (WAVES), Jan Britt (WAVES), Glenda Dennis, Linden Hill, Carol Ciullo (Elks), John Waters (WAVES),
Bob Ciullo, Terry O'Toole (Elks)
St James Service Club Donates $17,000 to WAVES 4 K.I.D.S.
$5,000 Grant Supports Children and Teens
The St. James Service Club has donated $5,000 for WAVES programs supporting children and teens under the supervision of the Brunswick County Department of Social Services. These include summer camps, sports participation, school backpacks, supplies for emergency placements through Kids Kloset and home safety needs.
$12,000 Scholarship Grant For Junior and Senior Years
Thanks to their generous $12,000 grant, Thomas Bost, UNC Charlotte, and Rachel Kemp, Queens University of Charlotte, will receive $3000 for both their junior and senior years. As part of the WAVES Scholarship program for Brunswick County students, the St. James Service Club also provided $3,000 a year for their freshman and sophomore years.
Rachel Kemp
Queens University of Charlotte
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Thomas Bost
UNC Charlotte
2023 Backpacks 4 K.I.D.S.
WAVES 4 K.I.D.S. Provides New Backpacks and School Supplies
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Over 200 Brunswick County children and teens being served through the Department of Social Services will receive new Land’s End Backpacks and school supplies from WAVES 4 K.I.D.S.
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Focus Broadband provided $2500 and Brunswick Electric contributed $2000 with the remaining money donated by individuals and WAVES Summertime Fun event.
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“We know how important it is for kids to feel good at school and not be embarrassed by their backpacks or lack of school supplies,” explains Noel Nadol, WAVES vice president and chair of the backpack program.
“Our backpacks vary in color and style depending on the different age groups. They are filled with supplies to start the school year based on grade level needs”, he continued.
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Thanks to the generosity of donors, WAVES provides a range of supplies from crayons for younger children to calculators for high school students.
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Visit waves4kids.org for more information about how they support children under the care of the Brunswick County Department of Social Services and other K.I.D.S. In Difficult Situations in Brunswick County.
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Go to Donors to see the list of our great Donors, Grantors and Sponsors.
2023 Summertime Fun Fundraiser Raised Over $21,000
The success of 2023 Summertime Fun Fundraising Event helps us continue our partnership with the Brunswick County Department of Social Services, supporting children in foster care and children living in difficult situations.
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In addition to raising funds to help K.I.D.S., a great time was had by everyone who attended, from listening and dancing to Band of Oz, to enjoying the great food, to participating in exciting and fun auctions!
We could not do this without the generous contributions from sponsors, donors and guests.
Thank you.
WAVES 4 K.I.D.S. Summer Newsletter 2022
Update on what's happening with WAVES 4 K.I.D.S.
To receive future newsletters, please email us at: waves4kidsbc@gmail.com
