Sandra and her husband own Frisco Mini Golf and Carts, an attraction popular with families visiting Hatteras Island. Hurricane Dorian affected the Outer Banks in early September 2019. Sandra and her family found themselves having to use their savings to fix their roof and their business remained closed for the rest of the season, with the hope to reopen in Spring of 2020. In February, 2020, Sandra underwent surgery for breast cancer, and then underwent six weeks of daily radiation. With their business closed for the season, the family needed help. They were recommended to the Relief Foundation by Social Services, and we were able to help them with assistance on their mortgage payments.

“I am so grateful. These were very low times. I could not even be in church or see my pastor.
Without the Outer Banks Relief Foundation, we would have lost our home.”

The Dowdy family was supposed to open their business in March but were unable to because of the pandemic. The assistance received from the Outer Banks Relief Foundation enabled them to make it until they were able to open in May. Sandra still experiences exhaustion, but is enjoying her garden and being outdoors.

Excerpted from an article written by OBRF volunteer Linda Palombo — thanks, Linda!