CHARLOTTE, N.C. — New Covenant Community Development Center in Monroe was founded in 2009 by former teacher Osco Gardin Jr. The organization aims to uplift the community by supporting low-income students or those who have the potential to be first-generation college students.
The center is more than just a project for Gardin. It’s a labor of love.
“I love teaching students,” he said.
Before teaching in public schools, he was a bivocational minister. He left the classroom to continue his passion for teaching in a different way.
“Through a mentor, I learned about the TRIO Upward Bound math and science program,” Gardin explained. “It started with three programs, thus the name TRIO. But it has since expanded to eight programs, with ours specifically focusing on Upward Bound math and science. The goal was to level the educational playing field.”
Established in 1964 as part of President Lyndon B. Johnson's War on Poverty in America, Upward Bound was a way to have first-generation, low-income students break the cycle and gain access to colleges nationwide. The organization also runs a culture program, taking students to visit schools and cities they might never have had the chance to experience, like Atlanta, Washington, D.C., Charleson and New Orleans.
To donate to the cause, visit the New Covenant Community Development Center's website.
A few weeks back, WCNC Charlotte learned about the nonprofit Culinary Connections during one of our community listening sessions, a WCNC Charlotte effort to know the big issues in our neighborhoods and how we can help seek solutions.
Culinary Connections cooking classes are meant for kids in Charlotte’s underserved neighborhoods to offer various skills.
Chef Andarrio Johnson is one of the program founders. The program launched amid the pandemic lockdowns when some kids lost access to meals they otherwise received at school.
"When the kids are out of school, we just feed them four or five days a week," Johnson recalled.
Following the old proverb about teaching a man how to fish, he says the program eventually branched out into the lessons.
"If you receive, you got to give back and the communities take care of me," Johnson said. "I got to take care of my community."
WCNC Charlotte, the TEGNA Foundation, the Parham Family Charitable Fund and Steel Skin Realty are proud to support Culinary Connections. All of us came together to present them with a $5,000 check.
Charlotte nonprofit making an impact with students and career goals
ROC Charlotte is a nonprofit focused on recruiting, educating and mentoring high school students for high-demand trades. Training happens during the school day, and students are bussed from six schools in under-served areas around Charlotte to ROC campuses to actively work towards their career goals. The construction-based curriculum has three main areas of focus: electrical, mechanical and carpentry.
While many see the work at hand as a high school shop class, ROC Director Darren Ash emphasized this is training that is truly getting students ahead of the curve when it comes to the construction trade and fills a frequently missing trade training pipeline from schools to the construction industry.
The ROC tries to support students as much as possible in their transition into apprenticeships, even with services like transportation to and from job sites. Five years ago, the organization started with 25 students. Now, they serve 200. Ash said it costs after $5,000 to send one student through the program for a year.
WCNC Charlotte, the TEGNA Foundation, the Parham Family Charitable Fund and Steel Skin Realty believe in helping people in the community get ahead and learn new skills. The groups presented the ROC with $10,000 to continue its education efforts and WCNC will follow two students throughout the year on their progress through the ROC program.
To donate to the cause, visit the ROC Charlotte's website.
Annual Scouting for Food collects food for those in need
For 32 years WCNC Charlotte has teamed up with Boy Scouts of America to help fight hunger in the community and make a difference through the Scouting For Food drive.
Text the word SCOUT4FOOD to 44321 to donate
Scouting For Food is the super bowl of food drive for Nourish Up, formerly known as Loaves & Fishes/Friendship Trays. While the non-profit's name has changed, their mission is still the same: to nourish neighbors with food and compassion.
All of the donations collected by the Mecklenburg County Council benefit Nourish Up. Scouting For Food is their single largest food drive of the year. In 2023 Nourish Up fed 137,806 people compared to 106,000 people in 2022. This is the highest in their 48 year history, eclipsing the height of the recession in the mid-2000’s when they fed 126,000.
Food and monetary donations through Scouting for Food in Mecklenburg County provide much needed groceries and hope to neighbors in need in our community through Nourish Up. So many people in our community are living paycheck to paycheck and on such a tight budget that with the increased cost of food, fuel, and housing – there is often not enough left to also put food on the table. Parents often skip meals so their children have enough to eat.
No one should have to worry about where their next meal will come from. To make an online monetary donation, text the word SCOUT4FOOD to 44321 to support Nourish Up.
Scouts with the Mecklenburg County Council, Central NC Council and Palmetto Council will go door-to-door on Saturday, Feb. 3 to collect much-needed donations for various food pantries.
Scouts will collect donations in Mecklenburg, York, Lancaster, Anson, Union, Cabarrus, Rowan and Stanly counties.
For more on how to donate and find a location near you, click here
Help make sure every child has a gift this holiday
With inflation and the burden of high costs, thousands of families in the Charlotte area community are turning to The Salvation Army for support this holiday season. Across the viewing area, The Salvation Army expects to provide gifts to more than 15,000 children this year.
To meet the need, WCNC Charlotte teamed up with Belk and Tropical Smoothie Cafe to help make the holidays magical for everyone with the Magical Toy Drive.
Donation barrels are placed at Charlotte area Belk and Original Mattress Factory stores for new, unwrapped toys to help make sure every child in need has a gift to unwrap on Christmas morning.
RELATED: Magical Toy Drive drop-off locations
An in-person Magical Toy Drive drive-thru event was hosted by WCNC Charlotte on Saturday, Dec. 9 outside of the Belk at Carolina Place with team volunteers, store associates, and The Salvation Army. Many people brought a new, unwrapped toy for children in need and said hello to the WCNC Charlotte team.
Donations will be collected inside Charlotte area Belk stores through Friday, Dec. 15.
Anyone can also donate money online or purchase a toy online to have it shipped directly to the Salvation Army.
The Salvation Army needs more volunteers at their Christmas Center. They will be distributing gifts to families Monday and Tuesday as well. More information on how you can volunteer can be found on the Salvation Army's website.
From all of us at WCNC Charlotte, thank you for helping make this holiday season a magical one for children in need!
=== Our October 2023 spotlight ===
An estimated 60,000 children in Charlotte don't have access to books to help them grow academically. The nonprofit Promising Pages is working to eliminate the book desert. Promising Pages collects new and donated books and distributes them to students and organizations.
WCNC Charlotte, along with our partners Wells Fargo Championship, Steel Skin Realty and the Parham Family Charitable Fund, have teamed up with Promising Pages to support Booktoberfest. It's a month-long book drive to help collect new and used books for children from birth to high school.
If you have books at your home that you'd like to donate, Promising Pages needs children’s books in like new and gently used condition. Their biggest need is Pre-K through 5th grade books.
Join WCNC and our partners on Friday, Oct. 20 from 4-6:30pm at First Tee Pineville for an in person book drive. Meet WCNC Chief Meteorologist Brad Panovich and drop off new or gently used books to donate to Promising Pages. First Tee Pineville is located at 10401 Cadillac Street, Pineville, NC 28134.
If you can't make it to the book drive on Oct. 20, the following locations have outdoor donation bins that can be accessed anytime:
- Promising Pages South End Donation Bin (Operations Center) – Across the street from 204 E. Peterson Dr., Charlotte, NC 28217
- Mr. Putty’s Fun Park: Miniature Golf – 2333 Dam Rd., Tega Cay, SC 29708
- The Temple’s Edge – 189 N Trade Street, Matthews, NC 28105
The following locations have indoor and outdoor collection bins that can only be accessed when the buildings are open (click on the links for more details):
- Compost Central Recycling Center – 140 Valleydale Rd, Charlotte, NC 28214
- The Cornwell Center – 2001 Selwyn Ave., Charlotte, NC 28207
- Tillman Insurance Advisors (South Blvd.) – 6407 South Blvd., Suite L, Charlotte, NC 28217
- Tillman Insurance Advisors (Ballantyne) – 8440 Rea Rd., Suite P, Charlotte, NC 28277
- Uwharrie Bank – 5231 Piper Station Dr., Suite 100, Charlotte, NC 28277
- Second Look Books – 4519 School House Commons, Suite 230, Harrisburg, NC 28075
- Sweet Frog Concord – 8528 Pit Stop Ct., NW #10, Concord, NC 28027
- Spaces South End – 307 West Tremont Avenue, Suite 200, Charlotte, North Carolina 28203
- Spaces Trade and Tryon – 101 N Tryon St., Suite 112, Charlotte, NC 28246
- Regus @ Mooresville-Langtree – 106 Langtree Village Drive, Suite 301, Mooresville, NC 28117
- Le Petit Spa – 12105 Copper Way, Suite 202 Charlotte, NC, 28277
- The Book Rack – 10110 Johnston Rd #5, Charlotte, NC 28210
- Corks, Cooks, & Books – 295 Herlong Ave., Suite 401 Rock Hill, SC 29732
- Tall Stories – 164 S Cherry Rd, Rock Hill, SC 29732
WCNC Charlotte, the Parham Family Charitable Fund, Steel Skin Realty and the TEGNA Foundation presented a $5,000 check to help Promising Pages.
=== Our September 2023 spotlight ===
A Charlotte after school program bridges the gap between school and home, helping kids new to America with everything from learning English to learning the culture.
Our Bridge for Kids staff transport and help educate 150 kids after school. But its more than education and teaching English – it's a lifeline for many of the kids who have just come to America.
Our Bridge for Kids is a Charlotte based non-profit. They want to expand their mission and continue to provide ESL classes, transportation and food. They're looking for support and if you are interested, you can donate here. Every dollar you give helps make Charlotte a better place by giving local children access to quality academic support in an environment that celebrates our diversity.
WCNC Charlotte teamed up with the Parham Family Charitable Fund, Steel Skin Realty and the TEGNA Foundation to present a $5,000 check to help Our Bridge for Kids and the families they serve.
=== Our August 2023 spotlight ===
A nationwide campaign to help clear the shelters and find forever homes for as many pets as possible wrapped up at the end of August with many Charlotte-area families finding a new furry friend!
Many area shelters and rescue groups are at capacity, which means there’s no available kennel space. WCNC Charlotte helped Clear the Shelters by encouraging pet adoptions or donations on Saturday, Aug. 26.
An in-person Clear the Shelters Adoption Event took place at Charlotte-Mecklenburg Animal Care & Control, 8315 Byrum Drive in Charlotte. Thanks to the open hearts of several families, 53 pets went home and curled right on up!
Families who adopted a pet on Saturday from Charlotte-Mecklenburg Animal Care & Control received an adoption package valued at approximately $425.
More than 1,500 pets were adopted throughout the campaign from al lof the area shelters and rescues that particpated.
=== Our July 2023 spotlight ===
Love N Cherish Food Pantry, a small nonprofit that started as an in-home daycare and they served food from the basement to those in need. Love N Cherish has since grown into a family care center with a mobile food pantry to help feed the hungry. .
Mary Roseborough founded Love N Cherish Family Center, Inc and their mission is to provide quality childcare benefiting the child, the parent, the staff and the community.
Twice a week, those needy people can come to the pantry on Church Road in Rock Hill where a team of volunteers make sure they leave with a generous donation of food. Over 500 to 600 boxes of wholesome food are handed out every week. All of the food at the pantr is donated to her organization with a big portion comin from Second Harvest Food Bank.
Love N Cherish is always looking for opportunities to help neighbors make a difference. Here are a few ways you can help the organization serve its mission:
Organize a non-perishable food drive at your chuch, work or business.
- Businesses, churches and other civic organizations can sponsor the organization with monthly, quarterly and yearly monetary donations.
- Make an individual donation. You can donate gift cards or make monetary donations.
- Volunteer. Collecting food, organizing donations at the pantry or giving out food on specified days are all great ways to be a volunteer.
Anyone interested in making a difference or learning more information about the Love N Cherish food pantry can call 803-329-2643.
WCNC Charlotte teamed up with the Parham Family Charitable Fund, Steel Skin Realty and the TEGNA Foundation to present a $5,000 check to help feed those in need.
=== Our April 2023 spotlight ===
If you need help putting food on the table, Bountiful Blessings Food Pantry in Gastonia will help.
Pastor Rodney Freeman of Mt. Zion Restoration Church says it’s been three years since they were asked by Gaston County to help feed those in need. Bountiful Blessings served an estimated 300 people a week. In 2020, that jumped to 3,300 during the pandemic.
The numbers dropped since, but they’re going back up. Recently they have been serving an estimated 2,900 people. Freeman says they’re serving more senior citizens. The cost of groceries have increased, but their income hasn’t so they need help putting food on the table.
SEE OUR COVERAGE: Make A Difference: Bountiful Blessings receives $10,000 donation from Junior League
In 2021, WCNC Charlotte shared the story of Bountiful Blessings and how they are makings a difference in the community. Bountiful Blessings received a donated cargo van to help serve and it was all because Halle Toya who saw the story and got motivated to help.
Because of the good work Bountiful Blessings continues to do in the community, WCNC Charlotte teamed up with the Parham Family Charitable Fund, Steel Skin Realty and the TEGNA Foundation to present a $5,000 check to help feed those in need.
If you would like to help, you can donate money online or you can text BOUNTIFUL to 44321
=== Our March 2023 spotlight ===
Block Love Charlotte is a Charlotte-based nonprofit with a focus on feeding the homeless population. Every day of the week but Wednesday, Block Love Charlotte works to provide a free meal to those experiencing homelessness with the help of partnerships and donations from local restaurants.
In addition to the physical needs, Block Love Charlotte also wants to provide resources and a foundation to help unhoused neighbors find stable footing off the streets.
“We also assist with housing navigation and we just help individuals get back on their feet so they can end the cycle of homelessness," executive director Deborah Phillips said.
If you would like to help you can send monetary donations via Cashapp at $blockloveclt or donate through PayPal.
The Charlotte Knights will host their season home opener on Friday, March 31 and all sales can be rounded up at the register to donate to Block Love.
=== Our February 2023 spotlight ===
A Charlotte non-profit is making a differece by working together to push violence out of their communitities.
“A large percentage of the homicides that are happening are with our youth at the ages of 14-21. So we want to have programming that assists those people to make smart decisions in the neighborhood," Greg Jackson, founder of Heal Charlotte said.
Prevention is key for Heal Charlotte. The organization works with kids through mentorship, camps, anti-violence campaigns, and events in the community.
Heal Charlotte is working to stop the violence in the community in a creative way: by getting kids involved to spread awareness about anti-violence action. The group is using the kids’ love for fashion to communicate its message and how they feel about the dangers of gun violence.
Because of the good work Heal Charlotte is doing in the community, WCNC Charlotte teamed up with the Parham Family Charitable Fund, Steel Skin Realty and the TEGNA Foundation to present a $5,000 check to Heal Charlotte.
Jackson said Heal Charlotte is hosting a youth retreat at Camp Thunderbird this spring for about 140 youth from 10 different organizations.
"This is going to be a great contribtion to that weekend. Thank you very much. I appreciate it," he said.
The Parham Family Charitable fund and Steel Skin Realty matches WCNC donations to local nonprofits. They matched the WCNC donation of $2,500 to Heal Charlotte.
"Heal Charlotte is strengthening our community by enabling strong, stable families. They're providing our youth with safe spaces where they can learn and thrive. Greg says I'm just doing my little bit so that nobody has to do a lot. Well your little bit sir is making an incredible difference in this community," Claudette Parham said. "Roger and I at Parham Family Charitable Fund and Steel Skin Realty are honored to support Heal Charlotte."
=== Our January 2023 spotlight ===
WCNC Charlotte teamed up once again with Boy Scouts of America to help fight hunger in the community and make a difference through the Scouting For Food drive.
Scouts with the Mecklenburg County Council, Central NC Council and Palmetto Council went door-to-door on Saturday, Feb. 4 to collect much-needed donations for various food pantries.
Donations were also collected at:
- Subaru South Boulevard (9201 South Blvd, Charlotte, NC 28273)
- Subaru Concord (853 Concord Pkwy S, Concord, NC 28027)
No one should have to worry about where their next meal will come from. To make an online monetary donation, text the word SCOUT4FOOD to 44321 to support Loaves & Fishes/Friendship Trays.
=== Our November and December 2022 spotlight ===
With inflation and the burden of high costs, thousands of families in the Charlotte area community are turning to The Salvation Army for support. Across the viewing area, The Salvation Army expects to provide gifts to more than 15,000 children this year.
To meet the need, WCNC Charlotte teamed up with Belk, Original Mattress Factory and Tropical Smoothie Cafe to help make the holidays magical for everyone with the Magical Toy Drive.
Donation barrels are placed at Charlotte area Belk and Original Mattress Factory stores for new, unwrapped toys to help make sure every child in need has a gift to unwrap on Christmas morning.
RELATED: Magical Toy Drive drop-off locations
An in person Magical Toy Drive drive-thru event will be hosted by WCNC Charlotte on Saturday, Dec. 10 from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. outside of the Belk at Carolina Place with team volunteers, store associates, and The Salvation Army. Bring a new, unwrapped toy for children in need and say hello to the WCNC Charlotte team.
Donations will be collected inside Charlotte area Belk stores and Original Mattress Factory locations through Friday, Dec. 16.
Anyone can also donate money online.
If you or someone you know is in need of assistance this holiday, reach out to The Salvation Army.
From all of us at WCNC Charlotte, thank you for helping make this holiday season a magical one for children in need!
=== Our October 2022 spotlight ===
For Thanksgiving Hope Street Food Pantry is preparing to serve 300 families that week. In order to make sure everyone in need has enough food for the table, the nonprofit need donations.
Hope Street Food Pantry opened in September 2018, becoming the first food pantry in the 28269 ZIP code. It started as a small pantry, serving out of a basement in an old house. On its opening night, the nonprofit served four families. After three years, Hope Street Food Pantry moved into a new building and has served over 30,000 people. The mission is still the same: To serve anyone in need of food with love and acceptance.
NO ID, referrals, appointments or financial documents are required to receive services from Hope Street Food Pantry.
WCNC Charlotte, the TEGNA Foundation, Steel Skin Realty and the Parham Family Charitable Fund have donated $5,000 to Hope Street Food Pantry to help put food on the table for those in need this Thanksgiving.
There are three ways you can give:
- Donate money online
- Shop the Hope Street Food Pantry Amazon Wish List
- Purchase food and drop it off at a pantry location (listed below)
The items on their shopping list for Thanksgiving include frozen turkey, instant mashed potatoes, gravy mix, macaroni and cheese, stuffing, canned corn, canned green beans, cake mix and icing. Items can be dropped off at any of the following locations:
- Hope Street Food Pantry (main location) - 4100 Johnston Oehler Road, Charlotte, NC 28269
- Mallard Creek Recreation Center - 2530 Johnston Oehler Road, Charlotte, NC 28269
- Bette Rae Thomas Recreation Center - 2921 Tuckaseegee Road, Charlotte, NC 28208
- Southview Recreation Center - 1720 Vilma Street, Charlotte, NC 28208
- Food Lion - 2201 West W. T. Harris Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28269
=== Our September 2022 spotlight ===
Therapeutic horseback riding helping kids with special needs
Nearly 1,000 kids have been transformed through the power of therapeutic horseback riding with the nonprofit Mitey Riders, located on 83 acres of land off Providence Road in Union County.
Twenty-seven years ago, founder Harry Swimmer met a girl with special needs. He invited her to his barn.
"I said, 'I wonder what she'd be like on a horse,'" Swimmer recalled. "And I put her on a horse. And boy, she lit up. And I said 'This is for me.'"
Children with special needs are invited to the barn to ride for therapy, free of charge. And once a child starts, they never age out. The Mitey Riders program lets them come for all long as they want, for free.
"Horses are amazing animals," Swimmer said. "They know what's going on. I had a great big horse, and I had a child on the horse. And it was in the ring, and I was working the class. All of a sudden, we turned around and looked, and a horse stopped dead in his tracks. And we went over, and the little boy was having a seizure. The horse knew before we did."
All students ride the horses free of charge thanks to generous donations to the nonprofit Mitey Riders from the community. WCNC Charlotte, the TEGNA Foundation, Steel Skin Realty and the Parham Family Charitable Fund have donated $5,000 to Mitey Riders. If you’d like to make a difference and donate money to horseback therapy for special needs kids, click here.
=== Our August 2022 spotlight ===
Charlotte-Mecklenburg Animal Care and Control is asking for the public's help as rising pet intake, staffing shortages and population growth in Charlotte put the shelter in "crisis" mode.
After the COVID-19 lockdown drove intake numbers down and more families to adopt new pets, the center is now facing a perfect storm of straining factors: A rising human population, also bringing new pets to the area, the highest intake numbers in years and staffing shortages.
Clear The Shelters is an annual, nationwide pet adoption and shelter donation campaign that is spearheaded by NBCUniversal Local, a division of NBCUniversal. Each year, NBCUniversal Local’s NBC- and Telemundo-owned stations, plus affiliated stations, partner with animal shelters and rescues in their communities to host Clear The Shelters events.
Charlotte Knights fostering dog as WCNC Charlotte launches Clear The Shelters
This year, Clear the Shelters was a month-long campaign, finding homes for animals across the Charlotte area who need a forever family. Donations can be made online with 100% of the money going to the shelter or rescue. WCNC Charlotte has teamed up with 13 shelters and rescues to support the annual adoption campaign.
=== Our July 2022 spotlight ===
Gift wish list items to help families in need
For just a few dollars, you can make a personal hygiene kit for Charlotte area nonprofits to help the homeless.
An estimated 22% of Cabarrus County residents are food insecure and one in five children go hungry. WCNC Charlotte is working with 1CAN, a nonprofit that serves those in need in Cabarrus County. The nonprofit has a total of seven Blessing Boxes in Concord and Kannapolis. A Blessing Box is similar to a little free library, only it is filled with food and toiletry items. Those in need can take the items at no cost.
Sheryl Kluge founded the nonprofit in 2019 and said the need is even greater now than during the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Volunteers with 1CAN restock the boxes, sometimes daily. Their boxes at Rotary Square, Fire Station 4 in Concord and boxes at Cabarrus Health Alliance and Fire Station1 in Kannapolis remain the busiest boxes that serve many people daily.
1CAN needs donations of food and personal hygiene items. Items can be purchased from their Amazon Smile wish list.
WCNC Charlotte, the TEGNA Foundation, Steel Skin Realty and the Parham Family Charitable Fund donated $5,000 to 1CAN to help neighbors in need.
WCNC Charlotte also purchased personal hygiene items and assembled them into bags to distribute in Blessing Boxes.
A simple hygiene kit includes the following:
- Toothpaste
- Toothbrush
- Soap
- Shampoo
Items can be sample size or full and should be placed in a sealed Ziplock bag.
Additional suggested items to include:
- Deodorant
- Washcloth
- Wipes
- Band-aids
- Lotion
- Combs
- Women’s sanitary products
- Chapstick
- Gloves
- Socks
- Hats
- Q Tips
- Hand sanitizer
- Do not include razors since they can be used to hurt someone
The nonprofit also needs help keeping the boxes stocked. They will provide the food, but they need volunteers to go and straighten and stock. It takes about 15 minutes. Those able to volunteer their time can contact Sheryl at 843-330-0525 or sheryl@your1can.org.
In 2020, because of the COVID-19 pandemic, families affected by food insecurity skyrocketed, and another three Blessing Boxes boxes were added in other areas within Cabarrus County bringing the total to seven. 1CAN was able to assist families with over 20,000 food and personal hygiene items in 2020.
=== Our June 2022 spotlight ===
Ada Jenkins Center
COVID-19 changed everything, and vulnerable neighbors need help more than ever before.
The Ada Jenkins Center in Davidson, North Carolina, helps prevent food and housing insecurity and provides families with educational, career and financial resources.
Purchase items from the Ada Jenkins Amazon wish list, and the items will be sent directly to the nonprofit. High-priority items include bug spray, sunscreen, rain ponchos and hats.
WCNC Charlotte, the TEGNA Foundation, Steel Skin Realty and the Parham Family Charitable Fund donated $5,000 to the Ada Jenkins Center to help neighbors in need.
=== Our May 2022 spotlight ===
Carolinas Metro Reds
Carolinas Metro Reds is a nonprofit in Charlotte that helps underserved youth play baseball. The Carolinas Metro Reds provides a diverse, family environment for underserved youth to develop their baseball, academic and life skills by way of high-level coaching, teaching and mentorship.
Baseball is a national pastime, a team sport that millions of youth have enjoyed and benefitted from for over a century. However, baseball is out of reach for many families in Charlotte as it is no longer affordable. Many families can't pay the team fees that provide access to baseball fields, equipment, and coaching. But through Carolinas Metro Reds, hundreds of youth are able to take the field.
A donation of $50 supports one player for a season with Carolinas Metro Reds.
WCNC Charlotte, the TEGNA Foundation, Steel Skin Realty and the Parham Family Charitable Fund will match up to the first $5,000 donated to Carolinas Metro Reds..
Morris Madden, a former MLB left-handed pitcher, is the founder and President of the Carolinas Metro Reds. For years, Morris noticed a concerning lack of growth among young African-American players in baseball. Not nearly enough kids under the age of eighteen had the awareness or access to the game of baseball and he knew that he had to help. Shortly after his MLB playing career, he decided it was time to take an active role in being a part of the solution.
There are currently almost 200 players in the organization and additional funding will help additional underserved players and families to participate in baseball, and also benefit from the life skills and education support provided.
SEE OUR COVERAGE: Carolinas Metro Reds tees up west Charlotte kids for success
=== Our April 2022 spotlight ===
Hickory Public Schools Education Foundation
Dozens of teachers in Hickory Public Schools applied for grant money to help meet educational needs in the classroom.
But due to the pandemic, Hickory Public Schools Education Foundation hasn't been able to host a fundraiser for the past two years. That means funds are limited.
It's hard to tell a teacher no when they're trying to help better student education, but the foundation has been forced to turn down teacher requests.
The foundation was elated to learn they could say yes to teacher requests thanks to WCNC Charlotte, the TEGNA Foundation, Steel Skin Realty and the Parham Family Charitable Fund's donation of $5,000.
But there are more teachers asking for money and that's where you come in. Donate now to help fund teacher requests through the Hickory Public Schools Education Foundation.
Teacher Daniel Ernenwein of Longview Elementary School received grant money so he can purchase books for his bilingual class so kids can go home and exchange from English to Spanish with their parents.
Teachers Laura Marvin and Dorothy Dalton received grant money so both of their classrooms at Oakwood Elementary School could expand on science.
“This money will go for hands-on science that will help students actually touch, feel, manipulate the curriculum,” Marvin said.
All money donated goes toward making a difference in the classroom for students.
=== Our March 2022 spotlight ===
Beatties Ford Road Vocational Center
The Beatties Ford Road Vocational Center has a waitlist of more than 300 people interested in taking their trade classes. They can't afford to pay to attend classes, so they're waitlisted until the nonprofit has enough funding to grant them a scholarship.
Beatties Ford Road Vocational Center provides students who are chronically underemployed or unemployed with skills in traditional and non-traditional trades that will enable them to obtain permanent employment and compete for advancement in the job market. Make a difference by donating to help young man or woman who has dropped out of high school to get a second chance of getting their high school diploma and a trade. A $50 donation could help purchase a required training textbook.
WCNC Charlotte, the TEGNA Foundation, Steel Skin Realty and the Parham Family Charitable Fund will match up to the first $5,000 donated.
SEE OUR COVERAGE: Beatties Ford trade school seeking solutions to help more trade students
=== Our February 2022 spotlight ===
The Academy of Goal Achievers
The Academy of Goal Achievers, a Charlotte-based nonprofit, has impacted the lives of over 500 local high school students by providing mentorship and programming for them to prepare them for life after high school.
The Academy of Goal Achievers helps students learn life skills they don't usually get in the classroom to help them get to that next level: college or a trade.
But they can't do it without your help. Can you volunteer as a career coach? Or do you work for a company that could offer job shadowing or an internship? You can also make a difference by donating money to help fund the program. WCNC Charlotte, the TEGNA Foundation, the Parham Family Charitable Fund and Steel Skin Realty will match up to the first $5,000.
Donations go to support programs to eliminate financial barriers, pay the tuition gap, pay for books and tutoring. A donation of $35 will support of tutoring session for a student.
SEE OUR COVERAGE: Charlotte mentorship program wants to change students' mindsets, increase resources
=== Our January 2022 spotlight ===
Scouting For Food
WCNC Charlotte teamed up with the Boy Scouts of America to help fight hunger in the community through the Scouting For Food drive.
Scouts collected donations in the following counties: Mecklenburg, York, Lancaster, Anson, Union, Cabarrus, Rowan and Stanly.
In the small town of Clover in York, South Carolina, donations benefited the Clover Area Assistance Center.
Karen Van Vierssen is the director of the Clover Area Assistance Center. Tax credits and extra benefits ended Dec. 31, 2021. Van Vierssen said they’re expecting more people will turn to them this month for help.
"People don’t want to ask for help, but reality is starting to hit," she said.
Scouting For Food helped fill their shelves with much-needed donations. The Clover Area Assistance Center provides food for approximately 180 households a month.
If you would like to donate money instead, make a difference by donating online to the Clover Area Assistance Center. WCNC Charlotte and the TEGNA Foundation will match up to the first $2,500 donated.
=== Our December 2021 spotlight ===
She Built This City
Nearly two million women have dropped out of the labor force amid the pandemic. How will they come back?
A nonprofit based in west Charlotte is trying to make a difference. It’s called She Built This City and was founded by Demi Knight Clark, a residential construction industry executive for over 20 years. They empower women and girls in the construction and manufacturing trades.
You can help by making a donation. $25 provides one youth experience in the explorer kids program to spark interest in construction and maker trades.
A $50 provides one youth with an opportunity to learn 3D printing, virtual reality and other 2030 technology pathways.
WCNC Charlotte and the TEGNA Foundation will match up to the first $2,000 donated.
SEE OUR COVERAGE: Nonprofit training women in construction: She Built This City
=== Our November 2021 spotlight ===
PATH, Inc.
PATH, Inc. is making a difference in York County by providing Thanksgiving meals to those in need this holiday. The non-profit needs to distribute a total of 125 boxes of food for Thanksgiving to families in western York County. But they need donations to help make that happen.
WCNC Charlotte and the TEGNA Foundation will match up to the first $2,000 donated.
SEE OUR COVERAGE: York County organization needs help feeding people in need
After Thanksgiving, the nonprofit starts working on distributing food boxes for Christmas. So no matter how much money you donate, it all goes back to the community.
=== Our October 2021 spotlight ===
Camino Health Center
Camino Health Center is a bilingual and multicultural health center located in west Charlotte that provides excellent and affordable integrated care to underinsured and uninsured populations. Its mission is to equip people to live truly healthy lives.
At Camino, they believe nutrition is a key component to living a healthy lifestyle. Unfortunately, many people don’t have access to food, let alone meals rich in nutrients. It’s through their Food Pantry, called “The Food Farmacy”, that they help alleviate food insecurity in our community. A $25 donation will help feed one person for a week.
SEE OUR COVERAGE: How to help fight food insecurity in Charlotte
=== Our August and September 2021 spotlight ===
The month-long WCNC Charlotte Clear The Shelters event ended September 18 with a fantastic adoption day.
Making a difference in the Charlotte area, TEGNA Foundation and WCNC Charlotte donated a total of $11,000 to Clear The Shelters. Each shelter and rescue will receive $1,000. A total of $21,000 was raised and more than 240 pets were adopted.
SEE OUR COVERAGE: Animals find fur-ever homes on Clear The Shelters Day
There are a variety of shelters in our area that participated. The goal was to make a difference in the animal community to help them adopt all of their animals and raise money to support their shelter.
=== Our June 2021 spotlight ===
Carolinas Metro Reds
Carolinas Metro Reds is a nonprofit in Charlotte that helps underserved youth play baseball. The Carolinas Metro Reds provides a diverse, family environment for underserved youth to develop their baseball, academic and life skills by way of high-level coaching, teaching and mentorship.
Baseball is a national pastime, a team sport that millions of youth have enjoyed and benefitted from for over a century. However, baseball is out of reach for many families in Charlotte as it is no longer affordable. Many families can't pay the team fees that provide access to baseball fields, equipment, and coaching. But through Carolinas Metro Reds, hundreds of youth are able to take the field.
A donation of $50 supports one player for a season with Carolinas Metro Reds.
WCNC Charlotte will match up to the first $2,000 donated to Carolinas Metro Reds.
Morris Madden, a former MLB left-handed pitcher, is the founder and President of the Carolinas Metro Reds. For years, Morris noticed a concerning lack of growth among young African-American players in baseball. Not nearly enough kids under the age of eighteen had the awareness or access to the game of baseball and he knew that he had to help. Shortly after his MLB playing career, he decided it was time to take an active role in being a part of the solution.
There are currently almost 200 players in the organization and additional funding will help additional underserved players and families to participate in baseball, and also benefit from the life skills and education support provided.
In 2020, WCNC Charlotte and the TEGNA Foundation awarded Carolina Metro Reds a grant, which supported two entire teams for a season of baseball.
SEE OUR COVERAGE: Carolinas Metro Reds tees up west Charlotte kids for success
=== Our May 2021 spotlight ===
Esther's Heart
Help feed hungry children in the community. Esther's Heart Backpacks of Hope Program is in the Charlotte-Mecklenburg and Cabarrus County School Systems.
Esther's Heart receives applications ongoing throughout the school year and needs support from the community to make this happen continually. Backpacks of Hope provides meals for the entire weekend for the youth.
SEE OUR COVERAGE: Esther's Heart helps feed children across the Charlotte area
=== Our April 2021 spotlight ===
For The Struggle, Inc.
Help seniors stay in their homes by donating to For The Struggle, Inc, a nonprofit that focuses on advocating for homeowners at risk of losing their property to gentrification.
The Elder Response Initiative provides free services to seniors in historically and predominately black neighborhoods, primarily Charlotte's Beatties Ford Road corridor.
The initiative was created by For The Struggle, Inc. because Charlotte has experienced rapid gentrification that has heightened the risk of displacement, particularly on the corridor. The corridor has a large senior population at risk of displacement. As such, the initiative provides seniors with assistance in obtaining critical home repairs; future planning (e.g. wills, powers of attorney); and property tax relief.
=== Our March Spotlight ===
Turning Point
One in four families we know is impacted by domestic violence. It’s a startling statistic. And because of the pandemic, victims are in isolation from their abusers.
Turning Point is a nonprofit in Monroe that is a safe shelter for women and children who have experienced domestic violence. They’re in need of financial donations.
SEE OUR COVERAGE: Monroe domestic violence shelter needs your donations
Make a difference and help those trapped in domestic violence. Donate now by texting the word MONROE to 50155 or you go online to donate.
=== Our February 2021 spotlight ===
Bountiful Blessings Food Pantry
WCNC Charlotte is teaming up with the United Way of Gaston County to make a difference for an organization in need.
Bountiful Blessings Food Pantry served about 300 people per week before COVID-19 hit. Now, volunteers are serving nearly 4,000 a week and need upgraded equipment to keep feeding the community.
SEE OUR COVERAGE
Donations can be made online or you can text BOUNTIFUL to 71777.
Making a difference
With millions of people turning to charitable nonprofits since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic, WCNC Charlotte is raising awareness of nonprofits in the Carolinas that are in desperate need of help. Additional funds are needed in an effort to continue to serve those who need it most.
Each month, WCNC Charlotte will share information about a nonprofit making a difference in the community. These nonprofits are all 501c3 verified through the IRS. If you are in a position to give, any donation amount can make an impact.
WCNC Charlotte is committed to reporting on the issues facing the communities we serve. We tell the stories of people working to solve persistent social problems. We examine how problems can be solved or addressed to improve the quality of life and make a positive difference. WCNC Charlotte is seeking solutions for you. Send your tips or questions to newstips@wcnc.com.
