Carolina Beach restaurant owner raises $150,000 for breast cancer families

WILMINGTON, N.C. (WECT) - A restaurant owner has raised more than $150,000 for families facing breast cancer by asking customers to round up their bills.

Kate Weiss, owner of Kate’s Pancake House in Carolina Beach, began the program 12 years ago. Customers can contribute their spare change to support Little Pink Houses of Hope, an organization that offers free retreats for breast cancer patients and their families.

The donations fund week-long vacations that allow families to spend time together away from medical treatments.

“Kate’s story shows what’s possible when compassion meets consistency,” said Jeanine Patten-Coble, founder of Little Pink Houses of Hope. “Her commitment proves that you don’t need a massive campaign to make a meaningful difference.”

Little Pink Houses of Hope is based in North Carolina and serves families nationwide. The Town of Carolina Beach hosts a retreat each April.

The organization is seeking property donors, volunteers and financial supporters to support the retreat. Interested parties can contact Programs Director Kathy Gates at kathy@littlepink.org .

“It’s simple to start, powerful in impact, and a beautiful way to show your customers that compassion lives right at your checkout counter,” Patten-Coble said.