Boiling Over with Kindness

With Our EPIC Project, Outer Banks Boil Company extends its coastal hospitality beyond its seafood feasts, offering entrepreneurial support, mental health assistance and restful family retreats for those who need it most.

On a Thursday night in late August, the dining tables were draped in bright cloths, mouths watered in anticipation and steaming pots were tipped out to a boisterous cheer as a smorgasbord of seafood and vegetables spilled across the tables. Smiles shone, hands reached in, and it was clear this was more than just a regular dinner.

“Every boil’s about creating memories, not just a meal,” says Josh Olvey, operating manager for the Oak Island location of Outer Banks Boil Company. “But this one was something more. It was epic.”

What made it epic was not only the food, but also the family gathered around the table. The celebration was part of the first-ever EPIC Summer Family Retreat hosted outside of the Outer Banks. These retreats are the centerpiece of Our EPIC Project, the nonprofit arm of Outer Banks Boil Company created to give deserving families the chance to rest, heal and experience the joy of coastal living.

This year’s recipients were Virginia’s Sergeant Michael Murray, his wife, Shannon, and one of their six children. The Oak Island community rallied around them, offering gift cards to local restaurants and shops, discounted rentals and a week designed to bring comfort and renewal.

“When we found out we were chosen, we were speechless,” Shannon recalls. “It felt surreal that someone thought of us in that way. There’s a lot that comes with serving in law enforcement: long hours, sacrifices and sometimes heartache. And to have our family recognized and cared for in this way was humbling and very emotional.”

Denise Khouri, co-founder of Our EPIC Project and Outer Banks Boil Company’s “Chief Mom Officer,” says the retreat could not have happened without General Manager Josh Olvey. She describes Olvey as an incredible operator and, on a personal level, an outstanding human, someone who leads with care for staff, customers and community.

When Olvey brought Outer Banks Boil Company to Oak Island three years ago, he was drawn to its family-friendly atmosphere, relaxed pace and strong sense of community. Those same qualities made it the perfect place to host the Murray family.

“They may arrive as recipients,” Olvey says, “but they leave as family.”

The Murrays were chosen from more than 40 nominations, narrowed down to five finalists.

What set Sergeant Murray apart was the nomination submitted on behalf of his entire platoon, 16 men and women who serve under him. Their collective voice was a powerful testament to his character, dedication and leadership. The nomination also described the hardships he has faced in recent years, from being injured by a dog bite while on duty to being struck by a distracted driver while assisting a disabled vehicle. These challenges, combined with a lengthy hospital stay and the toll carried by his family, deeply moved the EPIC team.

From the moment the Murrays arrived, they felt embraced by Oak Island’s beauty and generosity. They called the island a slice of heaven and said a weight was lifted as soon as they stepped onto the beach. Their week was filled with simple joys: walking along the shoreline, laughing over dinners out, watching the sunset together and remembering to slow down and savor life.

The highlight, of course, was the Outer Banks Boil Company feast itself. The Murrays raved about the food, but said the best part was the feeling of being cared for by people they had never met. They met the Outer Banks Boil team, Denise, Matt, Josh, and others, and were so encouraged by their kindness and genuine care that they now consider them family.

It’s incredible what a pot of seafood can become. For the Murrays, it became a symbol of generosity and community, a reminder that a meal together can create lasting memories and ripple effects of hope.

“Emotionally, the week gave us a chance to recharge and reconnect as a family,” Shannon says. “Mentally, it reminded us how important rest is in the middle of hard seasons of life. Spiritually, it was a powerful reminder that God sees us and provides through the kindness of others.”

And that is the heart of Our EPIC Project (Emitting Positive Impact Collectively). These retreats are more than vacations. They are reminders of hope, healing and the power of community. Or, as Shannon sums it up: “In a world that often feels divided, this trip was a reminder that there is still so much good.”

Outer Banks Boil Company began in Corolla, North Carolina, when UNCW graduate Matt Khouri launched the concept from his apartment. Today, the company has eight locations spanning from Ocean City, New Jersey, to St. Augustine, Florida, with Oak Island’s shop now in its third year.

It’s a company with a lot of heart, one that loves its coastal communities and looks for ways to give back. The founders recognized some of the unique challenges of living in seasonal beach communities where the highs and lows of the tourist season have an impact on mental health, where resources were few, but communities are strong. They wanted to do more than write checks to causes.

So they created Our EPIC Project, with a threefold mission to 1) support young entrepreneurs; 2) strengthen community mental health initiatives, and 3) share their beach communities by offering Epic Summer Family Retreats to deserving families.

Looking ahead, Outer Banks Boil Company hopes to bring the other aspects of Our EPIC Project to Oak Island as they have in their Outer Banks locations. One of their priorities is to promote a Mental Health First Aid training to Oak Island, equipping locals to recognize the early signs of distress, ask the right questions and connect neighbors with necessary resources.

So when you pick up an Outer Banks Boil Company seafood pot to spread across your table, or let the team cater and take care of every detail, remember that you are part of an epic story. Each boil can be more than a meal. It can be a memory in the making and a taste of the generous heart of this community.

It Takes a Village
A VARIETY OF GENEROUS LOCAL DONORS AND BUSINESSES HELPED OUTER BANKS BOIL COMPANY (OBBC) OFFER ITS OUR EPIC PROJECT SUMMER FAMILY RETREAT FOR THE MURRAY FAMILY. OBBC GIVES A SHOUT OUT TO THE FOLLOWING:
Van Daughtry, Margaret Rudd & Associations, Realtors, Quicksand Beach Concierge, Handcrafted Massage, Oak Island Jungle Golf, Throw Baxe Axe House and Board Game Lounge, Jersey Mike’s, Moore Street Oyster Bar, Pirate’s Deck, Provision Company, Flavas Ice Cream, Food Lion, Old Bridge Diner, Hippie Chick Granola Co., Ruby’s Coffeehouse & Eatery, Kai-Joe’s, Koko Cabana, Haag & Sons Seafood, Inergy Market, and Angie’s Fresh Produce.

SEAFOOD SERVED WITH A BIGGER PURPOSE
Outer Banks Boil Company
5003 E. Oak Island Drive, Publix Plaza, Oak Island
(910) 466-6888
oakisland.outerbanksboilcompany.com
To learn more or to support Our EPIC Project visit ourepicproject.com