Cape Fear Garden Club awards $84K in grants, scholarships

NEW HANOVER COUNTY, NC (WWAY) — The Cape Fear Garden Club awarded more than $84,000 in grants and scholarships to non-profits and schools in New Hanover County.

More than $73,000 was awarded to 24 organizations including the U.S.S. North Carolina, the Historic Latimer House in downtown Wilmington, the Bellamy Mansion Museum, and the Blue Ribbon Commission for Prevention of Youth Violence among many others.

The Garden Club also awarded standing grants worth $11,800 to Cafe Fear Community College, UNCW, and the North Carolina Audubon Society for Battery Island. Sandra Kittinger with the Cape Fear Garden Club said all of the money is raised from ticket sales during the Azalea Garden tours.

Kittinger said the Cape Fear Garden Club was created around this idea to give back to the community more than 90 years ago.

“It was an idea that just was inspiring,” Kittinger said. “It’s why I joined the Garden Club, because it’s just so wonderful to be able to contribute funds for so many different causes in our community.”

Kittinger said each grant or scholarship is worth a different amount based on the organizations need.