Volunteers organize to help Carolina Beach ‘Santa’

CAROLINA BEACH, NC (WWAY) — Harry Buie is known around the island as Santa, and when his house fell into a desperate need for repair, his fellow islanders came to the rescue.

Tonight volunteers met to set a game plan for the construction process. First they will need to file the proper paperwork to get the permits they need for building. Project manager Bryant Bass said they will also do a fundraiser before beginning the building process. He said that they need to raise between $50,000 and $60,000. But he said it will all be worth it for the man who has become affectionately known as “Santa.”

“There’s so much negativity out there in the world today. To have something that you can give back to and be a part of and to feel the love in this community that has just showed up. This is only our sixth day,” Bass said.

And there is even more good news, Bass said this project could be just the start for volunteers on the island looking to give back. He said is all the permitting goes according to plan, they are hoping to begin construction in about two weeks and they are hoping to have everything finished by Christmas.