Cathy Chester and her husband, Jon, moved to Wilmington from Columbus, Ohio in 2012 to start a church but Jon died unexpectedly shortly after their move. Alone, Cathy came to Carolina Beach one day looking for a way to help others and began talking to a local shop keeper who happened to be the president of Island Women.
Cathy joined that day in 2013 and has been active in the organization ever since.
Island Women was different back then. There were only about 50 members, and the monthly meetings were held over breakfast at the restaurant now known as Stoked. Over the years, Cathy helped promote the first Carolina Beach wheelchairs. A former teacher, Cathy was an original member of the Literacy committee, and helped it chart its mission. She was also instrumental in getting the little free libraries started on the Island.
While Cathy, who lives “over the bridge,” has served on the board for several years, she’s probably best known to current members for her tireless work as head of the bingo committee. It’s thanks to her and her team that bingo has become so successful. “Attendance has gone up every single year,” she said, and everyone know it’s because of the work they put in organizing and promoting the fun event, which takes place most Wednesday nights during the summer “Bingo is hard work,” she said. “I’ve met some great women through bingo. It’s how we find things we have in common.”
Meeting and talking to people while serving the community is what drove Cathy to join Island Women, and she says that is its strength. “When my husband and I moved here, I didn’t know anybody. I met my first friends through Island Women.”
When Cathy meets women, she is quick to introduce them to the organization. “I tell them Island Women is the best thing that happened to me.”
She encourages new members to attend social and volunteer events. “There are all levels of commitment. There’s always something that needs help. While you’re doing, you’re meeting people.” For example, Cathy said she had 17 people meeting at her house recently to collate bingo packets. “Three were new members, sitting at my dining room table for an hour and half. You get to just talk.”