By Addie Rising, SHARECharlotte.org, a one-stop shop that makes it easy to learn about local nonprofits and find ways to do GOOD.
Wow, Charlotte Smarty Moms! What a YEAR we’ve had and what a multitude of teaching moments we’ve been handed on a silver platter to share with our children. The Panthers taught us early this year how to win humbly and lose with dignity. HB2 and the Keith Lamont Scott shooting showed us that we still have a lot of work to do to bridge gaps and come together as a city. And this past week’s presidential election has shown us the same on a national scale. As humans, we’ve got a lot of work to do. And it’s not always easy to know where to begin. But a great place to start is here in Charlotte, right in our backyards, one kind act at a time.
On Tuesday, #GivingTuesdayCLT kicks off. For two full weeks Charlotte nonprofits, neighbors and more than 80 local businesses and community partners will come together for one reason: to give GOOD! Together our goal is to raise $8 million for 173 Charlotte-area nonprofits who work tirelessly investing in our community every single day, no matter who was recently elected as president. The organizations range from homeless shelters to food pantries to pediatric cancer research foundations to museums and theater groups. They help homeless pets and wild animals and work hard to preserve our environment for future generations. They are amazing, they are right here in Charlotte and our focus needs to turn to them during the next two weeks more than ever. You can see who they are right here.
From Nov. 15-29, #GivingTuesdayCLT will promote the GOOD that these organizations do and more importantly, the GOOD they want to continue doing. October may be over, but Susan G Komen Charlotte plans to use funds raised during #GivingTuesdayCLT to provide 250 mammograms for Charlotte women. Redeeming Joy, Inc. is hoping to furnish its new facility to house survivors of trafficking. Mama Hope hopes to gain more funding for its youth entrepreneurship program for high school girls in Grier Heights. These are just a few examples.
Mama Hope’s Jania Massey recently reflected on an experience she had with a group following September’s Charlotte protests. ”We had a moment during the retreat where each girl had an hour of quiet time to reflect on questions about God, the protest and shooting, body image etc. Once quiet time was over, we came back together to have a discussion and one of the young ladies said she noticed hummingbirds and how they flew together. She wanted to know why people didn’t fly together,” Massey recalled. “Not only was her observation accurate but her question spoke volumes.”
And that’s precisely what we hope #GivingTuesdayCLT will bring to Charlotte — an opportunity for us ALL to fly together. Here’s how to get involved:
Kickoff Party @ Unknown Brewing Co. – Join us Tuesday, Nov. 15 from 7-10 p.m. at Unknown Brewing Co. for a local beer tasting and Celebration of GOOD(s). Six local breweries will be sampling beers custom brewed for the occasion ($10 donation to participate in the tasting) and local vendors and nonprofit organizations will be selling jewelry, art, fab bags and much, much more with proceeds going to support the campaign. Come out and bring your friends!
Checkers Game – Purchase tickets to the game on Tuesday, Nov. 22 and $5 from every ticket will be donated to #GivingTuesdayCLT! PLUS, it’s the Tuesday before Thanksgiving break and the kids don’t have school the next day! So come on out and see us and bring the whole family. If you cannot make the game on the 22nd, the Checkers are giving back $5 on every ticket purchased THAT WEEK! WOW!
Do Good AND Look GOOD! – Our exclusive 704 Shop #GivingTuesdayCLT tees will be available for purchase at Unknown on Nov. 15 and at the Checkers game on Nov. 22 or you can order yours online right now! Proceeds from the sale of each shirt are donated to #GivingTuesdayCLT!
For more information visit GivingTuesdayCLT.org.
