Community gives back to Coast Guard families during shutdown

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — Southeastern North Carolina’s large Coast Guard community must continue to work without receiving a paycheck.

Now, others in the community are stepping up to give these families a helping hand.

Unlike other branches of the military, members of the Coast Guard are not being paid during the shutdown.

Those who live month to month are having to pick up second jobs, apply for government programs, or rely on help from the community.

Less than two miles from the Oak Island Coast Guard Station is the Oak Island Golf Club. General manager Steve Isley says the chief of Caswell Beach Police came to him with an idea to help these families in need.

“We got a lot of commercial fishermen that live here. And our resources, we depend on our guys being able to get out in the ocean and take care of their livelihood. And the Coast Guard is always there for them, they were here for us during Hurricane Florence,” said Isley.

Isley says because military members cannot accept large gifts, he asks the community to donate gift cards of $20 or less to gas stations, grocery stores, or other necessities.

Coast Guard spouses like Mary Charpek are grateful for the support.

“It’s just so joyous to see the community coming together to support us,” Charpek said. “We’re such a small branch, and not a lot of people know what’s going on with the Coast Guard not being paid, and to see the community, the mayor, the golf course, the fire department, the police station coming out to help is just so heartwarming and it’s amazing to see.”

Isley says after all the Coast Guard did for Oak Island during Hurricane Florence, he wants them to know how much the community appreciates them.

“The Coast Guard is a small branch, but we’re a family, and it’s been really nice to see the community come together and be additional family for us all,” said Coast Guard spouse Katherine York.

Any gift cards or other donations worth $20 or less can be brought to the Oak Island Golf Club and then will be distributed to Coast Guard families. They will later be distributed to the families.