Tom Dean, owner of Coastal Carolina Cutting Boards located in Holly Ridge, is rising to fame with his signature cutting boards made from various different woods. Celebrity chefs Emeril Lagasse, Giada De Laurentiis and most recently, Guy Fieri were presented with their very own custom-designed cutting boards when visiting Wilmington for GLOW (Girls Leadership Academy of Wilmington) fundraisers.
Giada Visits Wilmington and GLOW – 2017
Three events were scheduled: a dinner for no more than fifteen couples in a private home, and public breakfast and lunch events which were held at the Country Club of Landfall. Chef Giada curated an italian inspired menu and worked with locally-sourced Wilmington chefs for breakfast and lunch. Chef Bobby Zimmerman, owner of True Blue Butcher and Table, sourced the ingredients and led the culinary team over several days.
Giada will share stories from behind the scenes of her celebrated career, memories of early years in Italy, and inspirations for travel and entertaining. The breakfast event was featured on Food Networks Facebook live broadcast. The lunch event concluded with a record setting live auction. Cutting boards by Coastal Carolina Cutting Boards were on hand with signature cutting boards for sale.
Phillip L. Clark of OmniStar Financial Group said the event was a huge success. He chaired the first event in 2016 which featured Emeril and chaired the culinary committee for Giada. “we set new records while educating the public about GLOW”. “We are already working on 2018” said Clark, which he says will be “over the top”.
A celebrity chef in the Port City for a good cause
Celebrity chef Emeril Lagasse spent less than 48 hours in Wilmington. However, he made the most of this short period by hosting three distinct culinary experiences including, a private dinner on the evening of January 28th followed by breakfast and lunch on Friday, Jan. 29. The legendary chef’s visit was about one thing, raising money for the non-profit foundation behind the Girls Leadership Academy of Wilmington (GLOW), scheduled to open in August, 2016. It is the first all-girl charter school in North Carolina.
2015 Cape Fear Heart Ball
OmniStar Financial Group is a proud sponsor of the 2015 Cape Fear “Daisy” Heart Ball. This years ball is in honor of Daisy Hopkins, who passed away far too early from a heart attack. Ms. Hopkins was the mother of this years chair, Jimmy Hopkins.
“Everything I do for the American Heart Association, I am doing in honor of my incredible Mom, Daisy Hopkins; who was taken far too soon at the age of 57 by heart disease. Please do all that you can to support the 2015 Cape Fear “Daisy” Heart Ball so that others won’t experience the loss of a loved one far too soon.”- Jimmy Hopkins
Together, we can create awareness and a deeper understanding of the nation’s deadliest killer. We will inspire and unite our community toward a better future.
The Cape Fear Heart Ball is one of the region’s premier black-tie events. For over 16 years, the Heart Ball has attracted the city’s largest companies and most recognized corporate, healthcare and social leaders. It is a unique evening designed to celebrate the success of our year-round campaign and generosity of individuals in our community.
With over $150,000 raised in 2014 and over 400 in attendance, our 2015 Cape Fear Heart Ball seeks to exceed standards of funding and community participation. Guests will enjoy Silent & Live Auctions along with a seated dinner and live music & dancing.
By attending, you have the opportunity to become a critical part of our mission, of building healthier lives free of cardiovascular disease and stroke.
For more information visit
Community Boys and Girls Club Annual Dinner Success!!
Congratulations to the Community Boys and Girls Club of Wilmington. This year’s annual dinner was a huge success raising more than $108,000 through ticket sales, silent and live auctions, and general donations from the night. The event committee, chaired by our very own Phil Clark, worked with a small budget of just under $10,000 and donated items to create an elegant night with incredible food, drinks, auction items and a dynamic guest speaker, Verron Haynes, former NFL star athlete. The emcee for the night was Frances Weller from WECT and several children from the club sang their hearts out to a crowd of over 280 people.
Everything about the night was awesome but one of the highlights was when Jim Wallace, President and CEO of Intracoastal Wilmington was presented with The Dan Cameron Award. Cedric Dickerson, Board Chair and Hilda Cameron Dill presented the award to Mr. Wallace. Few people earn the right to receive such an esteemed honor. Jim’s service to the Community Boys and Girls Club of Wilmington spans more than 20 years. Way to go Jim! Congratulations.
It was an honor to be a part of such a wonderful event this year as a gold sponsor. OmniStar Financial Group will continue to support this worthy cause and it is our hope that this event and the support of the club will continue to grow in the years to come. Be sure to check out the Community Boys and Girls Club of Wilmington’s website for more information or how to get involved. https://www.cbgcw.org
Willie Stargell Foundation Celebrity Golf Tournament
OmniStar Financial Group is sponsoring The Willie Stargell Celebrity Golf Tournament for the second year. The tournament is an awesome weekend of fun and friends, but more importantly, it raises money to help patients fighting kidney disease. Monies raised have helped purchase new kidney dialysis machines, connect patients with doctors, and even helped with patient at-home emergencies.
The Willie Stargell Foundation is honored to have awarded $60,000 in grants to fight kidney disease and support patient care through funds raised at its 11th Annual Willie Stargell Celebrity Golf Tournament in 2013. The organizations awarded grants include: Willie “Pops” Stargell Kidney Dialysis Center at NHRMC, UNC-Chapel Hill Kidney Transplant Program, Duke University Kidney Transplant Program, and DaVita Dialysis.
This year’s event is being held on November 7th thru the 9th. Be sure to visit https://www.williestargellfoundation.org or https://www.facebook.com/WillieStargellFoundation for more details or learn how you can be involved.
Community Boys And Girls Club of Wilmington
We are Proud Supporter of:
Community Boy & Girls Club is part of a nationwide affiliation of local, autonomous organizations that work to help young people of all backgrounds develop the qualities they need to become responsible, caring, productive citizens. The Club is facility-based and employs paid professional staff members, supplemented by part-time staff and volunteers.
Today, more than 1000 under served and at-risk boys and girls are taking advantage of the programs, activities and services provided by the Boys & Girls Club of Wilmington. They benefit from trained, caring, professional staff and volunteers who help them take control of their lives, envision productive futures and achieve their goals.
As you might imagine, an organization like this needs significant resources to maintain operations. OmniStar Financial Group is proud to be a Gold Sponsor for the Great Futures 19th Annual Children’s Fundraiser Dinner held on November 20, 2014. This annual event will host guest speakers such as former NFL star, Verron Haynes and incredible live auction items that are guaranteed to help raise the money that this terrific organization needs. It is our honor to be a part of this event. If you are also interested in getting involved please visit www.cbgcw.org or on Facebook at https://www.facebook.com/cbgcwilm for more information.
Bob Boyd Invitational Raises Money in spite of the weather…
Pamela Boyd recently hosted the 3rd Annual Bob Boyd Invitational at Pine Valley Country Club on October 8th. “We raised over $40,000 and everyone had a great time in spite of the weather.” Through the generosity of each participant and sponsor, we will continue to help UNC-Lineberger Cancer Hospital as well as the SECU Family House and The Bone Marrow Registry. These organizations continue their great works by saving lives and assisting families diagnosed with Leukemia.
PGA Senior Tour Professionals Larry Mize and Roger Chapman came in to join the efforts of many professionals of the Carolinas host a another wonderful event for a great cause.. Helping the “Big Pro” continue giving back means so much to everyone who knew him. Bob was an amazing man as well an established golfer that will be honored in May as one of the new Inductees of the Greater Wilmington Sports Hall of Fame. It is an honor to continue his legacy by helping those who are fighting this disease; Leukemia. His spirit will live on and we will all be forever changed for having known him and what he stood for. Many thanks to all of our sponsors and players for supporting us in giving back to the charities he came to know on his short journey that touched so many.
Louis Wetmore appointed to the NC DOT Board of Directors
OmniStar Financial Group is honored to announce Louis S. Wetmore, of our Hickory, NC office, has been appointed to the North Carolina Department of Transportation Board of Directors. Wetmore will be the Board representative for Division 12 which is composed of Catawba, Cleveland, Alexander, Gaston, Iredell and Lincoln counties. The Department of Transportation Board comprises 19 members; 14 of whom represent specific divisions with 5 at-large members. The board is responsible for overseeing the allocation of funds and resources for all of North Carolina’s transportation facilities including highways (construction and maintenence) rail, ferry, aviation and bicycle and pedestrian facilities.
After being appointed by Governor Pat McCrory in June of 2013, Wetmore was sworn in on July 19, 2013 by state Supreme Court Judge, Paul Newby.
As a division 12 board representative, Wetmore will also serve on three MPO’s (Metropolitan Planning Organizations). Each of these MPO’s boast a professional staff whose responsibilities include short and long range planning of all transportation projects that are proposed to the full DOT board for evaluation and action. Wetmore will work with these staff members and local elected officials to prioritize those transportation projects that benefit the highest number of our citizens and represent the most efficient use of the DOT’s budgeted funds.