How to save lives simply by eating pancakes, drinking beer or playing with dogs
Nearly every weekend in Charlotte, there’s a big gala, auction or raffle. $500 here, $1,000 there. Even raffle tickets now a days run $100 or more. Doing good often feels like it’s making you bankrupt.
But there are ways you can seriously help and sometimes not even really know how much.
Last year, my son Liam went through six months of chemotherapy after he was diagnosed with Burkitt’s Non-Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. We spent 70 nights in the hospital. During his treatment, Liam required eight blood products. That’s eight people who took the time to donate blood to someone they didn’t know. Oftentimes, it’s the small things that really make a big difference.
Here are a few ways you can make a difference in the Queen City:
(1) Grab a pint, help a cause
NoDa Brewing Company sponsors the #YDWD event each and every Monday of the year. In case you’re not down with the lingo just yet, YDWD means “You Drink, We Donate”. $1 of every pint sold that night goes to the weekly charity.
RescuedMe brought 12 puppies and mother coon hound to NoDa brewing this week for the YDWD campaign and “puppy yoga.” The event sold out days ahead of time. After the workout, the yogi could play with the puppies and grab a pint. The group raised nearly $1,000 in beer sales and yoga tickets.
RescuedMe is a group that saves dogs that otherwise have no hope of survival. And yes, you can adopt one of these adorable puppies.
NoDa started the YDWD campaign three years ago helping more than 150 local nonprofits raise more than $24 thousand.
“We always strive to help and improve the lives of others because they are our neighbors, and we want to show them some love, even with something as simple as a cheers with your beer,” said Alana Allen, event coordinator with NoDa Brewing Company.
Next Monday, $1 for every pint purchased in the tap room goes to US Teachers for Autism Awareness Tanzania.
If you’re thinking you missed out on the puppy yoga, you still have an opportunity. The group is bringing the pups to Blue Blaze Brewing on Friday at 6:30 pm and 7:30 pm. You can sign up here.
(2) Cuddle animals
Love puppies and kittens? How about getting to help take care of some animals who desperately need the attention. There are dozens of animal rescue nonprofits across the Charlotte region, like the Humane Society of Charlotte. And Charlotte-Mecklenburg Animal Care & Control is always looking for a couple of new volunteers.
You can foster an animal, play with them at the clinic or even help during adoption events. Of course, there are always the dirty jobs, like bathing the animals or cleaning the kennels. If adorable is your thing, how about bottle feeding a new kitten the size of the palm of your hand. Think of all the puns you can come up with during this perfect volunteering opportunity.
(3) Teach a child to read
Talk about making a real difference in our community. Right now, only 39% of third graders in Mecklenburg County read on grade level. Read Charlotte wants to double that in just five years, and it needs your help.
The group is about to kick off its #Committo80 campaign next month. It’s a pledge to help get that reading percentage up to 80%.
“Read Charlotte was launched in 2015 as a community-wide effort to change the alarming statistic that only 39% of third graders were reading proficiently,” Executive Director Munro Richardson said. “We have to band together, each playing our part, if we want to move the needle for kids in our community. ‘Commit To 80’ gives us all that opportunity to plug in.”
If you can dedicate one hour a week, you can help tutor. After a background check and three-hour long training course, you’re on the way to making a big difference in a young person’s life.
You can also help my donating money, books or become a partner.
(4) Eat breakfast and help pediatric cancer families
Simple enough. This weekend is Claire’s Army annual pancake breakfast.
Every year in Charlotte, 200 families will hear the words, “Your child has cancer.” Claire’s Army provides each newly diagnosed family with a “Claire package” with a utility tote filled with essentials, including gift cards. Custom-ordered meals are donated five nights a week to patients and families at Novant Health Hemby Children’s Hospital and two nights a week at Atrium’s Levine Children’s Hospital.
For $10, you get a full pancake breakfast and the knowledge that you’re helping to put a tasty meal in front of a family during some of the worst moments of their lives.
Date: Saturday, Feb. 8
Time: 8 a.m.-10:30 a.m.
Place: Providence United Methodist Church, 2810 Providence Road
Tickets: $10 for adults; $5 for children 12 and under: purchase here
As a personal benefactor of the kindness and generosity of Claire’s Army, I can tell you it’s an amazing organization.
(5) Take the #LifesavingChallenge
Two weeks ago, I started the #LifesavingChallenge, where you commit to donating blood at least two times in 2020. Personally, I’m aiming for five times. My own social media campaign received thousands of impressions. Nearly 100 people in multiple countries already signed up to save lives.
Each donation can help three people. This is a way you can absolutely help to save a life without spending a dime.
As an added bonus, you can even donate blood this weekend while going to the Claire’s Army pancake breakfast.
If none of these things are your thing, that’s OK. There are hundreds of nonprofits in the Charlotte region that could use your help. Check out SHARE Charlotte. They have 467 (and counting) nonprofit partners that specialize in all types of do-gooding. Look for your passion and discover how doing good makes you feel good, and it doesn’t have to cost a fortune.
This story was originally published February 6, 2020 at 5:40 AM.
