At Carolina Women’s Club (CWC) community service comes in many forms but our main goal is to help women and children who are underserved in our local community. To accomplish this, we have chosen several organizations that we schedule volunteer events with so we can provide “hands on” volunteer work. Our Volunteer Coordinators for each of these organizations is responsible for setting up dates and attending volunteer events so that members can be actively engaged in community service. The organizations we have chosen to work with include the following:
Assistance League of Charlotte
The Assistance League of Charlotte is the 93rd chapter of the Assistance League and was founded in 1992. Its member volunteers are dedicated to improving the lives of children and families through community-based philanthropic programs. These programs include: Operation Check Hunger, Operation School Bell, Mecklenburg County Teen Court, Assistance League of Charlotte Scholarship Fund and Assistance League of Charlotte Outreach. CWC volunteers help by assisting as needed with these programs. To learn more about the Assistance League of Charlotte please visit their website at http://www.assistanceleague.org/charlotte.
Volunteer Coordinators: Clare Dykeman and Marie Shea
Bright Blessings
Bright Blessings brings joy, care and hope to homeless and impoverished children by mobilizing community volunteers of all ages. This occurs through their core programs of: Bless-A-Birthday, Bless-A-Baby, Gift of Literacy and Gift of Care programs. CWC has executed donation drives for items such as teddy bears and personal hygiene as well as volunteered at their facility to pack and wrap items for distribution to women and children in need. To learn more about Bright Blessings, please visit their website at: www.brightblessingsusa.org.
Volunteer Coordinators: Becky Hart; Amy Hennen and Jamie Moss
Classroom Central
Classroom Central provides free school supplies to teachers who need them the most so they do not have to purchase them for their classrooms. They believe that a good education is one of the most reliable ways to help children reach their full potential. Classroom Central does this in a variety ways: school supply drives, volunteering to organize and distribute supplies, sponsoring events, financial donations and more. CWC volunteers help keep them organized at their warehouse and have also executed school supply donation drives to further their goals. To learn more about Classroom Central, please visit their website at: www.classroomcentral.org
Volunteer Coordinators: Abbie Volpini and Barbara Hambacher
Promising Pages
Promising Pages collects new and donated books and shares them with children living in the Charlotte Area Book Desert: those with few, if any, books at home. They work to create a culture of book sharing and ownership for those who may not have access to books. CWC volunteers help clean, sticker, refurbish and sort donated books. To learn more about Promising Pages, please visit their website at: www.promisingpages.org
Volunteer Coordinators: Ceci Robinson and Dorinda Jenkins
Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Charlotte
The Ronald McDonald House provides a safe, affordable, and caring home-away-from-home for the families of children receiving medical treatment in the Charlotte-area medical facilities. CWC volunteers gather at their facility to help with activities they need accomplished such as baking cookies, assembling baskets to give to families (such as baskets for Valentine’s day!) or helping organize donated goods. To learn more about the Ronald McDonald House, please visit their website at: www.rmhclt.org.
Volunteer Coordinator: Lisa Brendenmuehl
Safe Alliance
Safe Alliance provides life-changing services to women who are survivors of domestic violence and need safe housing. CWC volunteers have assisted them with much needed supplies, donation drives and also brought some holiday cheer and decorations by hosting a tree trimming event for resident families. The Carolina Women’s Club Annual Holiday Luncheon in December also features Safe Alliance as its beneficiary with members bringing gift cards, supplies or whatever items they are in need of to the luncheon. To learn more about Safe Alliance, please visit their website at: www.safealliance.org
Volunteer Coordinator: Kathy Marcello
Sterling Math & Science Foundation
The Sterling Math & Science Foundation provides Science, Technology, Engineering and Math (STEM) related opportunities for students from underrepresented groups in the STEM educational pipeline. CWC has provided fundraising events and opportunities for members to become engaged and help Sterling Math & Science Foundation reach its educational goals. To learn more about the Sterling Math & Science Foundation, please visit their website at: www.stemforkidscharlotte.org
Volunteer Coordinators: Betty Blackwell and Ruth Hood
The Pink Bow Campaign
The Pink Bow Campaign actively engages with the local community to raise awareness and funds for breast cancer detection, prevention and treatment. CWC volunteers create breast cancer awareness by encouraging neighborhood involvement and tying pink bows to mailboxes, doors, and other areas to remind ladies to get their mammograms and encourage breast health initiatives. To learn more about the Pink Bow Campaign, please visit their website at: www.thepinkbowcampaign.org.
Volunteer Coordinators: Robin Saddler and Cathy Kane