BURGAW, NC (WECT) - The kids might not want to hear it, but school is right around the corner. 

So, it's time to start thinking about school supplies. Two local groups in Pender County are doing just thought.

"A Change Starts With Us" and "Visionaries" are hosting a school supply drive now through mid-August.

The supplies will be given out at the "I Praise Thee Gospel Open Mic" in Burgaw, which is scheduled for August 18 at the American Legion.

To donate, call any of these three numbers in the 910 area code: 538-6385, 231-2784 or 352-8897. They can come to pick up the supplies or meet you at a mutual location.

Copyright 2012 WECT. All rights reserved.

PENDER COUNTY, NC (WECT) – Over $8 million was awarded to over 600 fire departments across the state recently through the 2012 Volunteer Fire Department Fund.

The Fund was created in 1988 to provide dollar-for-dollar matching grants to assist volunteer fire departments, according to a news release from Insurance Commissioner and State Fire Marshall Wayne Goodwin. A total of $8,717,495.18 was awarded to 644 departments and some of that money is going to Pender County. Here’s the list of local grants:

• Atkinson Fire Department, $15,000
• Long Creek Grady Volunteer Fire & Rescue, Inc., $18,083.88
• Maple Hill V.F.D., Inc., $20,606.40
• Penderlea Fire Department, $3,111
• Rocky Point Volunteer Fire Department, Inc., $14,138.88
• Shiloh-Columbia V.F.D., Inc., $30,000
• Surf City V.F.D., Inc., $9,763.27
• Topsail Beach Fire Department, $9,729.09

“I’m proud that so many fire departments are taking advantage of this important grant program. These grants help our volunteer fire departments stretch their budgets to better serve our communities,” stated Goodwin in a news release.

Copyright 2012 WECT. All rights reserved.

WILMINGTON, NC (WECT) –To promote businesses, entrepreneurs and higher-paying jobs in the area, UNCW’s Entrepreneurship Center and the Greater Wilmington Business Journal will be presenting the Coastal Entrepreneur Awards this spring, according to a release from a Business Journal spokesperson.

Any company, new or old, in New Hanover, Brunswick, and Pender counties is eligible, and according to a statement, businesses submitted for consideration “…Must be actively engaged in entrepreneurial activity – creating new products or services for people in the Wilmington region or beyond.”

Companies can either submit applications themselves or be nominated by clicking here.

Nominees will go through two rounds of judging. Category winners will be chosen by a group of judges selected from area business leaders as well as the competition’s sponsors.