New Hanover County family holds yard sale to raise money for scholarships in son’s name

WILMINGTON, NC (WWAY) — A family in Wilmington is trying to channel their grief into something positive by raising money to support aspiring chefs in the Cape Fear.

Bernard and Deborah Brunson hosted a yard sale at their home on Saturday, Sept. 2, to raise money in memory of their son, Darius, who died in December of 2022 following a five-year battle with leukemia.

After graduating from Cape Fear Community College with a degree in Culinary Arts, Darius worked as a line cook at several restaurants in Wilmington and Charlotte, and he also had his own food business.

All proceeds from the yard sale will go to fund two, $500 scholarships in CFCC’s Culinary Arts program.

Bernard Brunson said it’s been heartwarming to see how the community has supported his family.

“Everyone we come across, we give them a card that has his information on it that is similar to the one you have here,” Brunson said. “A lot of people have just gone online and contributed because they realized it’s nice to pay it forward to help other people.”

As of now, the Brunsons have raised more than $9,200 towards their $10,000 goal that will support scholarships at the College for the next ten years.

Click here to make a donation to the “Darius R. Brunson Memorial Scholarship.”