Part 2: Ledger readers' charity picks
From a group that helps families facing cancer to one that aids soldiers’ transitioning to civilian life, here's a list of local charities Ledger subscribers support – and why
Welcome to the second installment of The Ledger’s first-ever Charity Shout-Out, where we’re honoring the season of giving by publishing a list of local charities doing good work around the community.
How did we arrive at this list? Last month, we invited our community of paying subscribers to write in about the charities they most admire, with the idea being this: Some 1/3 of all charitable giving happens in December, so why not spread the word about worthy causes that might benefit from some holiday donations?
Readers wrote in about nearly 70 charities, so we split the list in half — we published the first half on Tuesday and now present the second half of the list to make it easier to digest and enjoy. The complete list is also available on our website.
If you have a favorite charity that’s not listed, make a note to watch for The Ledger’s Charity Shout-Out call for submissions next year.
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Below, you’ll find links to the charity websites and brief descriptions from our subscribers. Of course, it’s always a good idea to make sure you’re comfortable with how charities use your donations by looking them up on websites like GuideStar, ProPublica’s Nonprofit Explorer, or Charity Navigator. You might also consider consulting local resources such as The Society Guide, which evaluates Charlotte-area nonprofits on their effectiveness and organization.
And feel free to share this post with friends who may be on the hunt for a charity to help this holiday season — or to let your favorite charity know that it is on the list. — CB
TreesCharlotte, a public/private non-profit collaboration established in 2012, aims to grow Charlotte’s tree canopy while educating people about how to plant and preserve trees. (Photo courtesy of TreesCharlotte)
GenerationNation engages students in positive and constructive civic discourse. Originally founded as KidsVoting, an organization that encouraged the habit of voting by holding mock elections, GenerationNation evolved into a holistic civic engagement organization. GenerationNation fights the coarsening of our civic discourse by teaching youth how to have productive political conversations. —Brian Francis
Girls Rock Charlotte teaches girls how to express themselves through rock music and film. Its camps and programs are life-changing. Participants form bands, write songs, and produce films under the instruction of industry professionals. Its scholarship program ensures opportunity for all. —Steve Dunn
Golden Retriever Rescue Club of Charlotte
Chartered in 1991, the Golden Retriever Rescue Club of Charlotte (GRRCC) has saved over 2,000 golden retrievers, Labrador retrievers and retriever mixes. The club is dedicated to the rescue and rehabilitation of unwanted, abused, neglected, abandoned or surrendered golden retrievers. —Christopher Corcoran
Greenbox Solutions’ mission is to provide both the elderly and their caretakers with all of the education, preparation and resources that they will need to ensure a smooth transition to the next natural stage of life. They also sponsor local seniors with gifts like flowers and toiletries. —Alicia Broughton
50% of families with a pediatric cancer diagnosis will file for bankruptcy. With the help of Hands For Holly, families experiencing a financial burden are supported with grants that cover the costs of housing, utilities and transportation. This allows parents the opportunity to focus on their child’s care and not their bank account. —Brian Hadley
The Holy Angels mission is to provide compassionate, dependable care and opportunities for high-quality living to those with intellectual developmental disabilities and delicate medical conditions through physical, social, spiritual, educational, vocational and emotional support. Since 1955, Holy Angels has provided a place for infants, children, and adults who cannot live unassisted. —Ben and Rosemary Dunn
Holy Angels is a mission of mercy — loving, living and learning for the differently able. The nonprofit helps kids and adults who are medically fragile or have intellectual developmental disabilities. The supportive staff truly do amazing work trying to help residents live his/her most independent life possible. The organization’s inspirational work is what motivated me to change industries and call Holy Angels my own professional home. —Shawn Flynn
The Homeowners Impact Fund was started as a way for those that have the means to give back to end homelessness in our communities. At each home closing, each person gives a little and it will add up to a lot to help the homeless population with affordable housing. —Catharine Pappas
HopeVibes is a local charity focused on homeless community outreach. Their latest venture, the Hope Tank, provides a place for our homeless neighbors to shower and wash their clothes — bonus: it’s mobile so they can travel to those in need. —Alicia Broughton
I AM 24/7 makes a much smaller impact than F3 Foundation, but in a much larger way. It’s focused on impacting specific lives. They are “all in” 24/7. Pretty amazing commitment and generational impact where it’s really needed. —Rob Miller
I want to promote icuTalks, a TED-type speaking ministry to promote mental wellness and work to remove the stigma around mental health. It’s made a huge difference in my life and many others, and I happily volunteer and support this wonderful group. —Kurt Dyck
Jewish Family Services of Greater Charlotte
Jewish Family Services of Greater Charlotte provides social work and counseling for children, families and older adults in need. The nonprofit organization also provides emergency financial assistance, companionship for shut-ins and transportation/errand assistance for people struggling during the uncertain times. —Harriet Meetz
Diane Restaino has built Joedance into a solid non-profit, including a venue partnership with Charlotte Ballet, a film eligibility footprint that now includes four states, solid sponsorship levels, and consistently growing attendance and donations. In 11 years, Joedance has donated more than $205,000 to Atrium Health’s Levine Children’s Hospital. —Bert Woodard
Karaoke for Kidneys is an annual fundraiser that benefits the Pediatric Nephrology Center of Excellence at Levine Children’s Hospital. This family-friendly event includes raffle prizes, face painting, relay races, food, crafts, and karaoke! The event was held virtually this year. —Denise Wilcox
Want to help keep kids out of jail and families together? Thought you might. Life Connections, based in Charlotte, does just that by developing and mentoring adolescents through sessions with individuals and their parents. Please consider supporting our organization providing these exceptional educational experiences to create stronger and healthier families. —Matt Caragher
My shout-out is in support of the Matthews Free Medical Clinic, which provides free healthcare for low-income and uninsured members of our community in Mecklenburg and Union Counties. The clinic is not a walk-in clinic, but screens applicants to ensure that they are at or below 200% of the federal poverty level, and uninsured. The clinic receives no state or federal funding but is able to serve our community because of private donations. —Taryn Mecia
The May 20th Society celebrates the history of the Mecklenburg Declaration of Independence and is responsible for the Charlotte Liberty Walk and the Captain Jack statue on the Trail of History. In our growing community, it is important newcomers learn Charlotte’s history and role in our nation’s path to independence. —Stephen Fogg
Having lost a loved one to Parkinson’s disease, I have a heart for Memory & Movement Charlotte. The nonprofit medical practice treats Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and other forms of dementia. They care for patients and also support caregivers. They count on community support to cover its costs. —Ken Garfield
I donate to Mira Via because it has immediate, profoundly life-changing effects on young mothers in the Charlotte community. Mira Via provides safe, no-cost housing, childcare, and education opportunities on the campus of Belmont Abbey College for pregnant mothers from all backgrounds. —Cliff Edahl
We support OurBridge for Kids because they meet many critical needs for newly arrived and first generation American children in Charlotte. They not only offer educational and social-emotional learning opportunities for kids, but advocate for families and partner to ensure their access to nutrition and health resources. —Carrie Hanson
Pat’s Place Child Advocacy Center
I’m a longtime supporter of Pat’s Place Child Advocacy Center for their tireless efforts in supporting and bringing healing to children in Mecklenburg County who have been sexually and physically abused as well their leadership in coordinating efforts to stop sex trafficking in our community. Very powerful work! —Henry Breaux
I’m giving a shout-out to the fantastic folks at Pat’s Place Child Advocacy Center. The staff work tirelessly to provide a safe, nurturing, and friendly environment for child victims of abuse in the Charlotte area. This is an organization of heroes! —Chris Socha
Playing for Others exists to give teens the opportunity to explore who they are and how they can give back to their community in a safe and welcoming space. We need more leaders, philanthropists, and creative visionaries, and Playing for Others is making it happen. —Katie Monson
Presbyterian Psychological Services
I support little-known Charlotte nonprofit Presbyterian Psychological Services because it reaches out to vulnerable and stressed-out members of our community such as first responders — most recently healthcare workers, offering free and financially assisted therapy to help them cope with the stress of treating Covid patients. —Ken Gepfert
Project 2 Heal in Waxhaw raises and trains service dogs for veterans and those with medical needs. My husband and I believe in the work and are monthly donors (“Paw”tners). They regularly send moving, inspiring stories and videos of how their dogs change lives. Plus, live puppy cams, with audio! —Moira Quinn
Rainbow Express Ministries provides a place for adults with special needs to belong, experience purpose through serving others and grow in community and faith. Come get lunch at Feast with Friends (Thursdays) or fantastic coffee (hat tip Magnolia Coffee!) on Friday mornings — café resumes when safe for all. —Elizabeth Richter
Roof Above is the culmination of Urban Ministry Center and Men’s Shelter of Charlotte joining together as a single organization to have a greater impact on our mission to end homelessness. —Christopher Corcoran
I would like to give a shout-out to Liz Clasen-Kelly and the team at the Charlotte Men’s Shelter/Roof Above. The tent camps along 12th Street and I-277 are testament to the explosion of homelessness in our community since last spring. Liz and her team are on the front lines of the effort to address this issue —Tim Whitmire
She Flew The Coop (SFTC) is a non-profit (501c3) women’s empowerment organization made up of ambitious, energetic, dynamic women who support each other to reach their dreams and goals. We have seen women’s lives be transformed through our work. They’ve launched businesses and/or creative projects, become more courageous in their workplace and everyday lives, left bad relationships, grown tremendously, become better friends, moms, wives, employers and employees, etc. —Sara Whitten
I support TreesCharlotte with my time and contributions. TreesCharlotte works to add to Charlotte’s tree canopy through a variety of planting programs, engages people of all ages and backgrounds to be a part of planting trees for the future, deliberately promotes equity, and educates people on the value and importance of trees and how to properly care for them. Since their inception in 2012, they have planted or given away over 35,000 containerized trees and engaged over 18,000 volunteers. Great people, great organization. —Liz Lewis
Trees Charlotte is a public/provide nonprofit that promotes growing and diversifying Charlotte’s urban forest. The organization is active in educating community citizens of the importance of a strong urban canopy and how to plant and preserve trees in your neighborhood. —Harriet Meetz
Veterans Bridge Home, as its name suggests, is an access bridge for veterans — providing them help transitioning to civilian life. VBH staff’s passion and caring have improved thousands of lives through introductions to available jobs, housing, medical, educational and social opportunities. VBH is a welcoming bridge to community and friends. —Joan Zimmerman
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Executive editor: Tony Mecia; Managing editor: Cristina Bolling; Contributing editor: Tim Whitmire, CXN Advisory; Reporting intern: David Griffith