Thai Room Restaurant Owners Establish Tawan Endowment for the Outer Banks

The Outer Banks Community Foundation (OBCF) is pleased to announce a new endowment to support Outer Banks youth and other causes has been established by Thai Room Restaurant owners Scott and Lakkana (Pai) Ngeonjuklin. The Tawan Endowment for the Outer Banks was created with a preference to support local programs that provide better futures for disadvantaged children, including those that provide support for academic achievement for students faced with adversity.

“Tawan!” means ‘sunshine’ in Thai,” said Scott, “and we are both excited and humbled to be able to begin this new endowment to contribute back to the community.” The new Tawan Endowment for the Outer Banks will primarily support local charities that help children to persevere and rise above challenges or adversity. As a donor-advised fund, all grants made from the fund will be recommended by the Ngeonjuklins.

“The Thai Room and Scott and Pai’s family story are such a wonderful part of Outer Banks culture,” said Community Foundation President and CEO Chris Sawin. “Each of us at the Community Foundation are grateful for the opportunity to help them put something back.”

Endowment funds have been created over the years by individuals, families, businesses, nonprofits, civic groups, and government agencies for causes they are passionate about. Funds can be created to memorialize loved ones, support a favorite issue or charity, provide scholarships, and more. The first step is to visit https://obcf.org/giving/create-a-fund/or call the Community Foundation at 252-261-8839. The Community Foundation holds more than 200 endowments for the Outer Banks; anyone can learn about or donate to any of these existing funds online at www.obcf.org/donate.