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This August, Dianne Young and her family from Gambrills, Maryland, enjoyed an unforgettable vacation retreat on the Outer Banks, thanks to Our EPIC Project. From a luxurious vacation home to thrilling activities, the Young family experienced a week filled with joy and relaxation in Corolla.

Our EPIC Project, an acronym for Emitting Positive Impact Collectively, was created to strengthen and support the beach communities that the Outer Banks Boil Company serves. To advance their charitable work, they established Our EPIC Fund at the Outer Banks Community Foundation.

Each year, Our EPIC Project partners with local businesses to grant a deserving family an EPIC Outer Banks family vacation retreat. This year, the team selected Dianne Young and her family for the vacation, held from August 10-17, 2024.

“We are so honored to provide this opportunity to Dianne and her family,” said Denise Khouri, president of Our EPIC Project. “When we first spoke with Dianne, her voice conveyed a heaviness that we knew we could lift with an EPIC summer vacation.”

The Young family was warmly welcomed in Corolla and treated to a week-long stay in a five-bedroom house with a private pool, hot tub and more. Each day offered new adventures, including a wild horse tour, mini golf, watersports and a family beach portrait session.

“I sure needed this vacation,” said Dianne Young. “I was hurting badly from my multiple sclerosis, and everything, especially the spa day, helped me so much. My grandson said, ‘This is the best thing ever!’ Thank you so much, EPIC!”

An essential part of EPIC’s mission is to showcase the best of the Outer Banks while offering families a chance to relax, heal and create lasting memories. “When we said our farewells, Dianne’s smile matched the one in her voice. We had accomplished our mission,” added Khouri.

The full Outer Banks Community Foundation story by Tatum Clements about Our EPIC Project can be found online at obcf.org/our-epic-project/.

Our EPIC Project’s efforts are supported by Our EPIC Fund, a donor-advised fund managed by the Outer Banks Community Foundation. The fund prioritizes grants to nonprofits that address mental health needs in the Outer Banks.

“All of our funds have a unique name, history, legacy, and purpose,” said Outer Banks Community Foundation chief operating officer Nandy Stuart. “Although each fund is different, they all share the same broad goal of improving lives and enriching our local community.”

Beyond hosting EPIC vacations, the organization also supports mental health initiatives and will hold an Adult Mental Health First Aid Training Program on October 10, 2024 in Corolla. The training aims to equip participants with the skills to recognize and address mental health challenges in the community.

“It has never been easier for you to make a real impact in our community. At the Outer Banks Community Foundation, there are countless ways to get involved in philanthropy, and one of the simplest and most effective is by creating a donor-advised fund. Start your journey today and make a lasting difference in the lives of those around us,” noted a release from OBCF.

For more information about creating a fund, go to OBCF.org.

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