CHARLOTTE, N.C. — The season of giving took shape in North Charlotte Saturday with a local nonprofit giving back in a big way.
For more than 60 years, Care Ring has been working to provide free or low-cost healthcare to Charlotteans. On Saturday, they honored families receiving maternal care as part of their holiday stroll event.
"They're getting warm blankets and books and developmental toys for their babies, even household goods and it's all free," Care Ring CEO Tchernavia Montgomery said.
Jazmine Leonard, who's expecting a baby girl, joined the hundreds of families to attend the event at Oakdale Elementary School. She said the organization has been pivotal in supporting her pregnancy journey.
"Having the resources to know like, okay, I can go to this place. I can get food. I can get formula, whatever I need, Pampers," Leonard said.
The event comes at a time when the cost of everyday goods is up due to inflation, making things like toys and blankets harder to come by.
"We take donations all year because we are serving thousands of families that are vulnerable and in need of support," Montgomery said.
Charlotteans are doing what they can to give back with Herb and Felicia Gray donating $10,000 toward the effort through their annual holiday party.
“Being able to help those most in need and look at them and talk to them about it," Herb Gray said, "understanding that you could be in that same situation and you want somebody to help you, is what we’re passionate about.”
As the season of giving continues, Montgomery said they're hopeful this year's holiday stroll will help bring cheer to those in need.
“We want to make sure that our programming is able to wrap that family with as much love and support as they can get during pregnancy and in those early childhood years so that they can have a successful start to life," Montgomery said.
To donate to Care Ring or learn more about services available to Mecklenburg County families, visit CareRingNC.org.
Contact Kayland Hagwood at khagwood@wcnc.com and follow her on Facebook, X and Instagram.