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.”