A Good Friend of Wilmington

Good Friends of Wilmington board president Kelly Pittman (left) and board member and luncheon chairperson Joy Skinner

While most folks are gearing up for a holiday season filled with family and friends, KELLY PITTMAN, leader of Good Friends of Wilmington, is preparing to host the nonprofit’s 27th annual luncheon for about 500 women. The luncheon is the organization’s annual fundraiser, and all of the contributions collected go to individuals and families in need.

“When you join me at the luncheon, your check, for whatever amount it is, goes directly back out into the community,” says Pittman.

Good Friends is unique in that it helps those who often don’t qualify for assistance anywhere else. The money raised helps cover everything from medical expenses to rental deposits to car repairs to furniture to helping mothers and children leave an abusive relationship.

Good Friends works closely with the New Hanover County Department of Social Services to identify those who meet the organization’s guidelines for aid and to distribute funds. Financial assistance is usually limited to $500 per individual or family. However, if the recipient’s needs exceed that amount, Good Friends may collaborate with other nonprofits to fill the gap.

Another factor that makes Good Friends stand out is that, except for one part-time administrative assistant, the organization is entirely run by volunteers. The $60 membership fee is used to pay for the luncheon and operating costs.

“We have no CEO or executive, just volunteers dedicating their time and resources to assist the community,” Pittman says.

Pittman became involved with Good Friends when she attended her first luncheon years ago. After hearing the stories of how the organization helps community members, she wanted to support its mission.

“I wanted to be a bigger part of it,” she says. “I wanted to dig in and serve on a deeper level and be part of something bigger than my family.”

Pittman became a member, then in 2020, she joined the organization’s board of directors. She became president of the board of directors in 2024.

Pittman brings her love of service and her experience as the YMCA’s resource development director to the role, which includes developing strategy, overseeing committees, and working with the DSS liaison to identify and provide funding to the needy and finding sponsorships. And, of course, ensuring the luncheon goes off without a hitch and draws a big crowd.

It isn’t the free lunch – a sandwich, chips, a cookie – that draws women to the event, according to Pittman. It’s the opportunity to help.

When attendees learn how Good Friends come to the aid of so many in the community, they often do more than put a check in the buckets jolly Santas pass around, Pittman explains. Many scrounge in their purses, looking for extra change to add to their donation, she adds.

It all adds up. For example, in 2022, luncheon attendees donated $90,000 – every cent of which was poured into the community in 2023, Pittman says.

Pittman hopes the Good Friends can do even more in the future. She plans to double the nonprofit’s membership, obtain more sponsorships that support the luncheon, grow the organization’s marketing strategy, and hire a part-time liaison for the Department of Health and Human Services.

Though serving as Good Friend’s president can take on aspects of a full-time job, Pittman wouldn’t have it any other way.

“I’ve been in community service since I was a kid,” Pittman says. “It’s who I am.”

The Good Friends of Wilmington 2024 luncheon takes place 11:30 a.m. Dec. 11 at the Wilmington Convention Center. Attendance is free.

To view more of photographer Aris Harding’s work, go to arisharding.com.

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