Although dealing with the major impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, several tourism businesses have found a way to give back and serve others.

 Local Theatres Make Masks for Hospitals and Local Clinics

Sweet Tea Shakespeare (STS) and Cape Fear Regional Theatre (CFRT), two beloved theatre companies in Fayetteville, are creating masks for first responders. The masks are being donated to Cape Fear Valley Health Center and local clinics. STS gathered fabric donations from a local retailer and individuals, and CFRT used old costumes to make the masks.

In addition to making masks, CFRT has been offering virtual theatre classes for students on Zoom since March 16. Some classes are free, and some require a small fee. All are taught by theatre professionals. Other hour-long classes in art, P.E., music and more are offered for children, grades kindergarten through eighth grade. 

 Brewery Donates Beer to Quarantined Soldiers on Fort Bragg

Approximately 5,000 soldiers have been returning from deployments in waves over the last few weeks to Fort Bragg, where many of them are being quarantined as a precautionary measure. When a brigade commander reached out to veteran-owned-and-operated Dirtbag Ales Brewery & Taproom (DBA) about donating beer to the returning troops, it was a no-brainer for DBA to jump on this cause. Last Veterans Day, DBA had collaborated with the Fayetteville Area Convention & Visitors Bureau (FACVB) in producing a beer specifically for the FACVB’s annual Heroes Homecoming initiative. DBA decided it was only appropriate to donate 900 cans of that same Homecoming Pilsner to welcome these soldiers home.

The public can support this initiative by donating a 6-pack to quarantined troops. DBA takes donations by phone or at the brewery. Each week, logistics specialists from four different units visit the brewery to pick up the donated brews and deliver them to the barracks where the troops are quarantined.

Restaurant Customers Donate Meals to First Responders

Customers of Sammios Italian Restaurants in Fayetteville and Hope Mills are asked to donate a $3.99 spaghetti dinner to area hospital workers. The restaurant delivers the meals to one of our area hospitals each week. Last week, the restaurant delivered 110 spaghetti dinners to Womack Medical Center on Fort Bragg.

Photos of Mask-Making and Dirtbag Ales Beer

About the FACVB

The FACVB is a private, not-for-profit organization responsible for positioning Cumberland County as a destination for conventions, sporting events and individual travel. For additional information, visit www.VisitFayettevilleNC.com or call 1-888-98-HEROES.