Giving back

Send news about your fundraising events to lbailey.charlotteobserver@gmail.com. Please send announcements at least two weeks in advance.

Compiled by Lauren Bailey

CBCC

New Year’s Challenge: The Community Blood Center of the Carolinas is recruiting blood donors for its New Year’s Challenge.

Donors are encouraged to give blood two times between now and June 30. CBCC relies on volunteer blood donors to help fulfill the need for blood for local patients. Details: www.cbcc.us.

Teen Health Connection

Youth award: Teen Health Connection recently announced the semi-finalists for the Johnston Ziegler Youth Leadership Award. The merit-based award of $1,000 goes to a local teen who demonstrates outstanding leadership, advocacy or service for adolescents. The top five candidates are: Ryan Buddendeck from Jay M. Robinson High, Ellis Clary and Courtney Thomas from Butler High, Malia Suhren and Sanjana Vattigunta from Ardrey Kell. The winner will be announced Jan. 15.

Stand Up and Get Down: Teen Health Connection invites the public to Stand Up and Get Down for Teens 6:30 p.m. Feb. 23 at The Fillmore, 1000 NC Music Factory Blvd. The event admission will include dinner, beverages and entertainment by comedian Shaun Jones. Single tickets are $100, with other packages available for larger groups. Proceeds benefit Teen Health Connection. Purchase tickets at teenhealthconnection.eventbrite.com.

York County Library

Book sale: York County Libraries are holding a Friends of the York County Library book sale Jan 24-26 at the Old Town Market Hall, 121 Caldwell St., Rock Hill. Thousands of books for all ages will be sold at $2 per inch measuring the height of the stack. Videos, DVDs and audiobooks also will be on sale. Opening night for Friends members is 5-8 p.m. Jan. 24 and memberships are available at the door – $10 for individuals, and $25 for families. The sale is open to the public 9 a.m.-7 p.m. Jan. 25 and 9 a.m.-3 p.m. Jan. 26. All books are half-price on Saturday. Details: www.yclibrary.org .

Camp Bow Wow

Service dog fundraiser: Camp Bow Wow Charlotte Metro is collecting donations through the end of January to help train specialty service dogs to provide therapy to those children affected by the Newtown, Conn., shooting. The donations will go to the “Scout’s Angel’s” project and can be made at www.bowwowbuddies.com or at any of the Camp Bow Wow locations. The Bow Wow Buddies Foundation also will match funds dollar-for-dollar up to $25,000.

Shepherd’s Center of Charlotte

eBay Class: The Shepherd’s Center of Charlotte will offer a class teaching seniors how to buy and sell on eBay Jan. 28, 30 and Feb. 1. The three-day class will run 9 a.m.-noon each day at Southminster Retirement Community, 8919 Park Road. Cost is $20 for booster club members, and $30 for others. Call 704-365-1995 for reservations.

Adventures in Learning: The Shepherd’s Center of Charlotte will begin weekly Adventures in Learning classes Jan. 28 through March 4. Class options include: culinary adventures, bridge, creative writing, violin, acting, natural history, yoga, dancing and poetry. Cost is $40 for all six weeks, or $30 if in the booster club. Details: www.shepherdscharlotte.org or 704-365-1995. Registration required.

Shepherd’s Center SouthEast

Adventures in Learning: Shepherd’s Center SouthEast Charlotte will hold six Adventures in Learning classes at St. Stephen United Methodist Church beginning Jan. 16, and six at Central United Methodist Church beginning Feb. 7. Cost for all six weeks is $25. Proceeds will benefit the programs and services of Shepherd’s Center SouthEast. Class topics include Bible study, travel, art, health, history and authors. Details: 704-321-0325 or www.sceast.org.

Relay for Life

Kick-off party: Relay for Life Ballantyne will launch its second annual event at a Kick-Off Party Jan. 17 at Villa Antonio Italian Restaurant, 14825 John J Delaney Drive. The event to raise money and awareness for cancer will take place May 31 at the Morrison Family YMCA. Attend the kick-off party to learn more about Relay for Life and to get involved. RSVP to ballantyne.relay@gmail.com by Jan. 10. Details: www.relayforlife.org/ballantynenc.

Big Brothers Big Sisters

Bowl for Kids: Big Brothers Big Sisters of Greater Charlotte is recruiting teams for its annual Bowl for Kids’ Sake Feb. 23 at 10 Park Lanes. Each team of five bowlers is asked to raise $625 to support the agency. Contributions help to match at-risk youth with caring adult mentors. Contact Joseph Butler at joseph.butler@bbsclt.org or 704-910-1301 ext. 1017.

Knights of Columbus

Charlotte Ultra Run: The Knights of Columbus of St. Thomas Aquinas Church will host the annual Charlotte Ultra Run 50K and 10K charity race Feb. 2 beginning at Countryside Montessori School and continuing along the Mallard Creek Greenway. Details: www.charlotteultrarun.org. Registration deadline is Jan. 31.