As well as providing monetary support for a variety of organizations and charities in the area through our Parish Outreach, St. Thomas parishioners are actively involved volunteering their time and expertise assisting local groups.
Hope Clinic
Hope Clinic, which began in 1998 as an outreach ministry of St. Thomas Episcopal Church, is enthusiastically supported by our parishioners. Our own Becky Whittemore, who chairs St. Thomas's Finance and Outreach Committees, is Board Chair of Hope Clinic. Our Senior Warden, Janet Simpson, is a board member and is Chair of the annual Hope Regala, the clinic's largest fundraiser.
Pamlico County Fishes & Loaves
St. Thomas Church is a drop-off point for food donations that support our local food pantry's Food of the Month program. Once a month, these donations are transported to PCFLO's headquarters, where they are distributed to clients. Additionally, once a month Rich Preble, a volunteer from our parish, drives to Grantsboro and picks up large donations of food from WalMart and Food Lion. These donations are then transported to PCFLO.
Rotary Club of Oriental
Several members of our congregation are actively involved in Oriental's Rotary Club, which provides scholarships to Pamlico County children, volunteers over 1,000 hours a year getting their hands dirty building wheelchair ramps and playgrounds, runs fundraising projects, and supporting Pamlico County charities.
HeartWorks
HeartWorks is a nonprofit community service agency whose mission is to address the underserved mental and physical health needs of youth and their families in Pamlico County and surrounding areas. In addition to supporting HeartWorks financially, several St. Thomas's parishioners volunteer their time to help some of the over 150 kindergarten through eighth grade students who attend their after-school and summer programs.
Hospice of Pamlico County
Hospice of Pamlico County provides end-of-life care and support services for patients, their families, and caregivers. St. Thomas congregant Chuck LaPlaca is a hospice volunteer and chaplain.
New Leash on Life
St. Thomas parishioner Jackie Schmidt, a long time animal-rights advocate, founded New Leash on Life programs at the Craven Correctional Institution and the Pamlico Correctional Institution. New Leash on Life is a prison dog training program in which offenders train dogs from local shelters and animal welfare agencies facing possible euthanasia to make them more adoptable.
Pamlico County Animal Welfare Society (PAWS)
PAWS is a nonprofit agency that aims to provide a better life for local animals by assisting with the costs of spaying and neutering, food, supplies and medical attention for animals in need. Jackie Schmidt (left) is president of PAWS and has worked tirelessly for the society for many years. She often brings her dogs to local nursing homes to visit with the residents.
Pamlico County Public Library
The library is located north of Oriental, but sends a Book/Tech Mobile down to the village on a regular basis. The library offers programs for both adults and youths and many of our parishioners are actively involved.
