When they’re gone, they leave behind a surplus of notepads, pens, pencils and registration bags. Now they can donate them to Classroom Central, after a partnership was forged by Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority and the nonprofit “store” that provides free supplies to 132 schools in the Charlotte region.

North Mecklenburg Senior Center Director Joanne Ahern’s signature was on the first $100 check in the bowl. Since then, Ahern has challenged all of the center’s seniors to give to a fund drive aimed at saving the center from closing.

The center is trying to raise $66,000 to make up for a big cut in funding to Charlotte-Mecklenburg Senior Centers this year by the United Way. The cut prompted the organization’s board to announce it would close the Cornelius center if the money isn’t raised by month’s end.

]]> http://cltmission.org/2009/09/a-summer-of-help-and-hope/feed/ 0 http://cltmission.org/2009/09/charity-events-4/ http://cltmission.org/2009/09/charity-events-4/#comments Fri, 18 Sep 2009 12:55:51 +0000 Charlotte Observer http://cltmission.org/2009/09/charity-events-4/ Bus passes, Monday-Sept. 30

Graduates of the Charlotte Rescue Mission’s long-term recovery programs are finding work in a variety of areas, but they need bus passes to get to and from their jobs. To help with passes or money for passes, go to the Charlotte Rescue Mission, 907 W. First St., diagonally across from the Panthers practice fields. Enter through the glassed-in security desk at the second building on the left. Details: Rev. Tony Marciano, 704-806-4693.

Jane McIntyre has never met Roy Brown of Matthews, but this husband and father represents the challenge she faces as the newly picked executive director of Charlotte’s United Way.

He’s among the donors who threw up hands in disgust last year after learning of the pay, benefits and expenses enjoyed by the agency’s now-fired president, Gloria Pace King.

One woman has made it her mission to help students who are less fortunate get off to a good start. Annette Wright has organized a series of donation drives, fish fries, and other events to raise enough money to buy 300 book bags filled with supplies for struggling families in her south Charlotte community.

“There’s a lot of kids that go to school with nothing. I used to work in the system,” Wright says.

She has organized a barbecue-style lunch with games and activities for Saturday. It’s at the Brookhill Apartments off South Tryon from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m..

Wright says it’s open to everyone and hopes it will help make the new school year a little easier for her community.

“I came up with this idea because I am constantly looking on Craigslist and eBay. Many times there are people who want to give away their old products but want to make sure they go to people who need them. … I would like to create a portal for people to donate their stuff and choose which charity would receive the benefit. The site would have a list of all charities. When a person lists a product for sale the seller would have the option to choose which charity the profit from the sale would go to. There could also be goods donated by corporations. The key would be for the site’s financials to be as transparent as possible to assure the public that the money is going to their choice of causes.”

Dad Benton Bragg grew up on the farm and learned to love gardening through the family garden, presided over by his father, Frank Bragg. Benton wanted to leave the same legacy to his children Ben, Carlton and Frances. Mom Alice was game, so three years ago they planted a family garden.

This year, the lesson in entrepreneurship really kicked in. The children planted 30 tomato plants, peppers, lettuce, broccoli, flowers, yellow squash, zucchini, cucumber and watermelon. They also opened a stall at the Davidson Farmers Market for a few dates this summer.

They’ve shared the work. Ben is in charge of watering, and they all pick and weed. They enjoy the fruits of their labor at home (Mom makes a mean tomato pie), and Ben reports that all three of the children love the cherry tomatoes, often eating them as fast as they can pick them. At the market, the kids ran the business: selling and packing items, making change and taking care of customers.

Under Davidson Farmers Market’s Growing Kids program, they painted their own sign and opened for business selling their vegetables, as well as flowers Frances arranged in mason jars. Grandfather Frank was the driving force behind the sales operation, picking up the children at 5 a.m. to pick vegetables on the farm and organizing the booth.

“This was such a fun family project, and I think Frank had more fun than all of us,” Alice says.

The economic downturn got the Braggs thinking about ways they could help in the community. So they talked to the kids about Loaves & Fishes food pantry at Ada Jenkins Center.

“It was really easy for the kids to understand the link between growing and selling food and giving money to others for food,” Alice explains.

Adds Ben, “We all agreed that it was a good idea to give some of the money we earned to Ada Jenkins.”

Their parents matched the money, and Alice and Ben delivered $100 to Ada Jenkins Center Executive Director Georgia Krueger in her office at Ada Jenkins last month.

“It was awesome for the family to be thinking of their neighbors in need when they were growing and selling their vegetables,” Krueger said.

Look for the Ramah Creek Farm sign on an upcoming Saturday at the Davidson Farmer’s Market. A portion of the proceeds have been invested right here at home.

She wants to celebrate that good fortune by walking 39 miles in two days – to help those who aren’t so lucky.

On Oct. 24, the 29-year-old Charlotte banker is going to walk a marathon (26 miles, 385 yards) and a half-marathon the next day, all to raise money for the Avon Foundation Breast Cancer Crusade.

The crusade provides for screening, support and treatment for medically under-insured women and men. Charlotte’s Avon Walk is one of several across the country.

“I feel intensely lucky that my family has incredible health,” Mirarchi said. “And I thought there’s got to be some way to give back for my good health – to help others.”

It will be her second Avon Walk. Her entry fee: $1,800.

That’s where her friend Nicky Green comes in.

Green is a purveyor of fun. To raise Mirarchi’s admission, she’s organized “Save Second Base – the Sequel” on Saturday, an afternoon of beer, games and parties at three uptown Charlotte bars. She’s calling for 20 teams of four (ponying up $65 per team) and as many supporters as the government-regulated maximum occupancy will allow to make a donation at the door for beer specials and a chance to help the cause. Doors open at 2 p.m.; games begin at 3.

It all starts at Connolly’s on Fifth, 115 E. Fifth St., where teams will compete in Beer Pong (bouncing ping pong balls in cups of beer) and “corn hole” (tossing bean bags through holes) and then move up the street to Buckhead Saloon, 201 E. Fifth. There the teams will play Flip Cup, a game that involves trying to flick a plastic cup 180 degrees. The awards and post-games party will be at 7 p.m., at Howl at the Moon, 210 E. Trade St.

“We wanted to get all of Angela’s fundraising done in one night,” Green said. “It’s all fun, but we’re making sure everyone knows it’s for a good cause.”

Mirarchi has always been active and likes playing sports like volleyball, but was never a walker. Green told her not to worry about raising her entry fee – just walk.

“So I’ve been walking, walking and walking some more,” Mirarchi said. “Walking last year’s Avon was completely exhausting, but one of the most exhilarating and fulfilling things I’ve ever done.”

Mosaic Church will host “What If Everyone …”, a community outreach event, Sept. 12. It will deliver donated items, such as diapers and soap, to designated charities. Starting next Sunday through Sept. 6, the church will collect items to distribute to various agencies on the day of the campaign. Send items to Mosaic Church, 11925 Sam Roper Drive Suite B. For a list of supplies: http://www.whatifeveryone.com (click on “encounters”). Details: 704-875-3660 or outreach@mosaic
church.tv.

Free haircuts

Headlines Barbershop is offering free haircuts for schoolchildren (ages 5-17) from 9 a.m. to noon Aug. 24. Although the cuts are free, please bring money for tips. 704-537-1510 or www
.headlinesbarbershop.com.

Lunch for children

The Council for Children’s Rights celebrates 30 years of working to keep children safe, healthy and educated with The Lunch for Children’s Rights. The event raises support for and awareness of children’s needs in Charlotte and North Carolina. James Howell, senior pastor of Myers Park United Methodist Church, will be the keynote speaker. The council is accepting nominations for the Dolly Award, given to an individual who displays dedication and uncompromising advocacy for all children. The luncheon is 12-1:30 p.m. Sept. 21 at the Westin Charlotte, 601 S. College St. $30 for an individual and $300 for a table. 704-372-7961 or http://www.rockworshipcenter.org

Ford campaign

Two Charlotte residents will assist local charities as part of a social media campaign to promote the Ford Fiesta. Winston Robinson will help a YMCA in Charlotte, and Cassie Duncan will assist Meals on Wheels in the area. Both organizations will also receive $500 at the end of the month. The two, along with three other North Carolinians, are test-driving a Ford Fiesta for six months. They’re posting their adventures on various social media platforms. http://www.fiestamovement.com/agents

Free clothes

The Rock Worship Center Church of God in Christ, the Rev. Frank Jacobs and the Crisis Ministry invite needy families to the Free Clothing and Food Giveaway 9 a.m.-1 p.m. Sept. 12. Rock Worship Center Church of God in Christ, 1113 Fordham Road. (Corner of West Boulevard and Fordham Road). Details: 704-358-4167 or http://www.rockworship
center.org

Board chair Carlos Evans said Saturday that a name change is one of many ideas some board members have informally discussed as they seek to regain the trust of donors angry over the agency’s CEO pay scandal.

“I think all of us feel everything needs to be on the table,” Evans said.

Last year, controversy erupted over former United Way CEO Gloria Pace King’s $1.2 million pay package.

Evans emphasized that any decision to abandon the United Way name would require careful analysis, plus community input.

He also wondered how newcomers familiar with the United Way brand in other parts of the country would react to a new name. The agency has a national network of nearly 1,300 local chapters.

Another question, Evans said, is whether the public might view a new name as a way of trying to paint over past problems.

“I’m not opposed to considering a name change,” Evans said. “But my own personal view is that the way you earn back trust is through your actions, not just by putting up a new sign.”

Jane McIntyre, who officially begins her new job as president of Charlotte’s United Way on Aug. 26, agrees with Evans.

She said the issue of what to call the agency is far less significant than the need to transform it for the good of the community.

“It has to go back to the people most at risk and most in need,” McIntyre said.

The United Way’s main task, she said, is to determine what changes will help it best serve people in need through the 88 agencies it supports.

Two weeks ago, he got a spur-of-the-moment call from his mother, Sue, in south Florida, informing him that she was bringing his two nephews, Matt Nance and Joey Raffel, and niece, Julie Nance, to Charlotte. They were coming the next day for the weekend.

Quickly, Nance transformed into tour director.

He has a counseling practice, and supervises counseling and chaplain interns at Presbyterian Hospital. One of his interns is Tayuanee Dewberry, executive director of Right Moves for Youth, the nonprofit that works to keep at-risk youth in school.

“I knew they have needs for school supplies,” Nance said. “I wanted to take my guests on a trip through Charlotte that was purposeful and meaningful.”

He decided they’d all ride the Lynx light rail from uptown toward I-485, and he’d turn the trip into a charitable adventure. Knowing his nephews and niece had spending money, he asked them each to take $5 and buy as many school supplies as they could – that ultimately they’d donate to Right Moves.

“They completely bought into it,” he said. His mother did, too.

At the rail’s last stop, Nance turned everybody loose in an Office Max.

They bought penny folders, boxes of pencils, 10-cent paper refills and whatever else they could find on sale, going through checkout lines multiple times. All counted, the five left the store with 10 bags of more than $85 worth of school supplies that cost them $23.30.

“When we got home, they looked like trick-or-treaters rifling through their bags of candy,” Nance said. “It took three of us to carry it all into Right Moves for Youth.”

Dewberry was moved by their generosity. “It was a great way to demonstrate to John’s nephews and niece that it doesn’t take a whole lot to positively impact the lives of others,” she said.

Their haul will come in handy, with school approaching and requests for supplies mounting. “It was definitely something we needed and will continue to need more of,” Dewberry said.

The Nance outing was fitting. Nance’s parents were Methodist missionaries: “It was a continuation of what we usually do,” he said. “I come from a family of caregivers.”

Since then, his nephews and niece have called Nance to thank him for the visit. Each said that donating school supplies was a highlight of the trip.

“Anybody can do something like this,” Nance said. “It may seem small, but the Right Moves for Youth folks were very appreciative. They told us, ‘You’d be surprised, but many kids go to school with nothing.’ So every little thing helps. Our family, like most families, has been struggling in this economy. But even in our struggles, we can still reach out.”

The foundation wants to know how many nonprofits are out there and what needs they’re addressing. Brian Collier, head of the organization’s philanthropy department, says the idea is to get nonprofits to stretch themselves at a time when giving in Charlotte has dropped by well over $40 million.

“Allow them this in-crisis-comes-opportunity-moment where they can hopefully find some efficiencies and effectiveness that might actually improve the entire sector in the long run,” Collier said.

Local officials have said nonprofits need to look at consolidation to serve more people with less money. Last month, the Uptown Men’s Shelter and the Emergency Winter Shelter announced plans to merge. Foundation for the Carolinas provided $15,000 to help those two groups come together.

Collier says the study may result in the consolidation of nonprofits, but he’s also hoping it will spark new ideas about ways groups can coordinate with each other. The foundation wants to set up a fund to assist with mergers and help groups test-drive new ideas for serving the community.