In the early 1970’s, the Pinehurst Resort, the Diamondhead Corporation and Pinehurst Realty were some of the driving forces in the growth of the Moore County communities. Helen Kramer and her husband Bob owned Pinehurst Realty therefore, they had extensive networks of business, charities and friends. Mrs. Kramer invited friends to her house for lunch and craftmaking. Over the next few years, the group expanded and began selling crafts to contribute money to the Pinehurst and West End Fire Departments, and these efforts spawned the annual Holly Arts Festival, now hosted by the Pinehurst Business Guild.

The group formalized in 1974, developed by-laws, elected officers and met monthly at a public venue. Helen’s good friend, Sybil Calhoun, was elected as the first President of the organization – Women of the Pines. Membership was limited to 48. WOTP hosted fall and spring rummage sales to provide needed goods to the community at a fair price. Proceeds initially went to the fire departments, but greater sales expanded contributions to Friend to Friend in 1989, and an annual scholarship to a NC college (including Sandhills Community College). Notably, in 2002 WOTP was inducted into the SCC contribution level of Summa, and elevated to the Intergrity level of over $70,000.

From 1990 through 2019, WOTP was a thriving organization of over 100 members with annual fundraising events of a spring rummage sale at West End School Gymnasium, a spring fashion show and a fall bake-sale at the Holly Arts Festival. A raffle of four high-value boxes of gift cards was later added to the bake sale. In addition, a selected charity received member contributions at the monthly meetings, such as Toys for Tots, food banks and shelters.

WOTP received Tax-Exempt status as a 501c3 Public Charity in 2017, established an active website in 2018 and was designated as a non-profit corportation in 2019. Through the years the list of agencies that WOTP supported grew in number and amounts of awarded dollars. About $400,000 has been awarded during WOTP’s history with 43 presidents, many serving multiple terms.

When the West End School Gym was demolished in 2018 and followed by the 2020 global pandemic, the spring rummage sale which had been held for many years in the gym was discontinued. Undaunted, WOTP used these issues as a turning point in its fundraising efforts. A Casino Nite at the Fair Barn doubled the fundraising dollars lost by the elimination of the rummage sale. WOTP also began to receive individual and business partnerships and sponsors.

More food pantries and more charitable organizations benefited from WOTP significant fundraising efforts, with over $42,000 granted in 2023-24. With that success, a long-discussed prospect of a Signature Event changed up the annual fashion show from a small venue to the much larger venue in the Fair Barn for 2024 as part of the 50th year celebration.

Post-pandemic, WOTP welcomed an influx of new and dynamic members who eagerly value the organization’s mission of working in concert with established charities to help the sick, the hungry, the homeless and abused. Working side by side, our members make new friendships while being of service. The organization has come a long way in fifty years and helped countless individuals in need. There is no doubt that the established strong foundation and dedicated membership will continue to thrive in the next fifty years.