Opportunities to help others | Charlotte Observer

Compiled by Lauren Bailey

Common Heart

Workshop: Common Heart is partnering with nonprofit Urban Ministry Center to hold a workshop 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. April 29 at the Indian Trail Cultural Arts Center on the corner of Indian Trail Road and Navajo Trail. Lunch will be provided with a suggested $5 donation. This is the first in a series of planned workshops in Common Heart’s new SERVING U program, aimed at teaching residents how to help neighbors in need. This workshop, called “My Name is Rachel,” is one of two educational programs Urban Ministry Center offers throughout the community to inform people about the local fight against homelessness.

Details: www.kickstartkindness.org and click “My Name is Rachel.”

Kickstart Kindness: The local nonprofit Common Heart, which operates the Common Cupboard food pantries, has launched a one-month campaign called “Kickstart Kindness” setting a goal to collect $45,000 in food, cash and donation pledges.

The donations will help area families facing financial distress from disability, death of loved ones and other issues. By April 31, the nonprofit hopes to collect at least 15,000 pounds of food, $15,000 in one-time gifts and $15,000 in monthly pledges. To help out, visit www.kickstartkindness.org.

CBCC

Pint for a Night: Donate blood now through the end of April with the Community Blood Center of the Carolinas and you will help provide a room for a family in need at the Ronald McDonald House of Charlotte. For each blood donation, CBCC will make a monetary donation to the Ronald McDonald House, which provides an affordable and homey place to stay for families of sick children. Learn more or schedule an appointment at www.cbcc.us.

Union West Rotary

Golf fundraiser: Union West Rotary will hold its annual golf tournament 11 a.m. April 20 at Stonebridge Golf Club, 2721 Swilcan Burn Dr, Monroe.

Cost is $100 per player, with cash prizes for the top three teams. Proceeds will benefit Rotary projects and initiatives such as food drives, backpack programs, library programs and more. To register, call Jim Betts, 704-301-7222 or email jamesbetts@windstream.com. Learn more at: www.rotaryclubofunionwest.org.

Friends of Feral Felines

Community cat program: The nonprofit Friends of Feral Felines will be at Morrison Library, 7015 Morrison Blvd., 6-7:30 p.m. April 21. Attendees can learn more about the organization, sign up as a volunteer, donate cat food, and purchase small items of cat memorabilia.

Christian Women’s Job Corps

Bake & Plant Sale: The Christian Women’s Job Corps will hold a plant and bake sale 1-6 p.m. April 24 and 8 a.m.-noon April 25 at Iron Horse Motorcycles, 1600 West Roosevelt Blvd., Monroe. Proceeds will help women in need become equipped to deal with life, employment and other issues.

A Better World Charlotte

Charity golf: A Better World Charlotte will hold the 14^th annual Charity Golf Tournament 9 a.m. April 27 at Cedarwood Country Club, 4100 Pineville-Matthews Road. Cost is $800 per team or $200 per person. Proceeds will benefit the nonprofit which serves as an after school program for kids K-12 in the Ashley Park area. To register, visit www.abetterworldcharlotte.org or contact Vena Vaughn at vena.vaughn@abetterworldcharlotte.org or 704-398-3244 ext 26.

The Patriot Charities

Bag Lady Luncheon: The Bag Lady Luncheon, presented by Trump International Realty, will take place 10 a.m.-2 p.m. April 28 at Trump National Golf Club, 120 Meeting House Square, Mooresville. In addition to a special lunch menu, there will be a silent auction featuring many new and gently used designer handbags, fashion accessories, jewelry and other items. Keynote speaker will be Miki Racine Berardelli. Tickets are $175 each and include an open bar and valet service. All proceeds will benefit Patriot Charities, a local nonprofit that supports wounded military and their families. Tickets are available online at www.patriotcharities.org or by calling 704-496-2794.

Shalom Park

Freedom School fundraiser: Shalom Park Freedom School’s fourth annual spring movie fundraiser will be held 7 p.m. April 30 at the Sam Lerner Center for Cultural Arts at the Levine Jewish Community Center, 5007 Providence Road.

The fundraiser will feature a movie about the formation of The Rosenwald Schools which were constructed in African American communities throughout 15 Southern states in the early 1900s. Tickets are $10 and will help provide 80 economically disadvantaged students from Huntingtowne Elementary and Sterling Elementary with a six-week, literacy-based summer program to prevent summer reading loss. For more information or to reserve a ticket, call 704-366-5007 or email http://spfreedomschool.org/.

Walk MS

Registration open: The Greater Carolinas Chapter of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society has opened registration for all 2015 Walk MS events. The Charlotte walk will be held 9 a.m. May 2 at Symphony Park near Southpark Mall. To register and help raise funds for the National MS Society, visit www.walkms.org or call 1-800-344-4867.

St. Thomas Aquinas Columbiettes Auxiliary

Fundraiser: St. Thomas Aquinas Columbiettes Auxiliary #10505 is holding their Spring Fundraiser 8 a.m.-10:30 p.m. May 2 at O'Charley's Restaurant, 8420 University City Blvd. Purchase a small breakfast for $5 or a large breakfast for $10 to support two area preschools. To buy your ticket, contact Beth Wyatt at emwyatt23@carolina.orr.com or Gen Rollin at gen526@aol.com.

Beds for Kids

Dream Big Benefit: Beds for Kids, which provides essential bedding and furniture for children and families in need, is partnering with Wells Fargo and Wells Fargo Championship to hold its first Dream Big Benefit, an evening of cocktails, dinner and auctions to raise money to support these children in need.

The benefit will be held May 11 at the Ballantyne Hotel & Lodge, 10000 Ballantyne Commons Pkwy. Purchase your tickets at https://my.bidpal.net/bfkdreambig. Learn more about Beds for Kids at www.bedsforkids.org.

Levine Senior Center

Spring Tea: The nonprofit Levine Senior Center will host its second annual Ladies Spring Tea 7-9 p.m. May 15 and 10 a.m.-noon May 16. Tickets are $20 for adults and $10 for ladies 15 or under. Tickets must be purchased by May 8 and are not available at the door. There will be sandwiches, appetizers, desserts, beverages and a raffle. Vintage decoration and live music will also be featured. To buy tickets, call 704-846-4654 or stop by 1050 DeVore Lane, Matthews between 9 a.m.-5 p.m. Monday-Friday.

Lupus Foundation

Walk: The Lupus Foundation of America, N.C. Chapter will hold its 14^th Annual Walk to End Lupus Now 3 p.m. May 16 at CPCC Belk Plaza, 425 North Kings Drive. To register, visit http://walktoendlupus.kintera.org/charlotte.

Volunteers needed: The Lupus Foundation needs 100 volunteers to help in various functions during the walk. Volunteers are needed anytime between noon-9:30 p.m. Those interested in volunteering can sign up online at www.lupusnc.org or email info@lupusnc.org.

JAJ Nonprofit Resource

Nonprofit competition: JAJ Nonprofit Resource and South Piedmont Community College will hold a Nonprofit Empowerment Conference June 5-6. Five nonprofit finalists will be interviewed on stage during the event on June 5 with the winning nonprofit receiving $1,500 and the runner up receiving $500. Information and applications are available at www.jajnonprofitresource.com/conference-2015. Applications are due April 24.

Common Cupboard

Golf Classic: The nonprofit Common Heart will host its fifth annual Common Cupboard Golf Classic 10 a.m. June 8 at Firethorne Country Club, 1108 Firethorne Club Drive, Waxhaw.

Cost is $100 per person if registered by May 15. There will be prizes, a silent auction, lunch and more. Proceeds will benefit Common Cupboard which helps feed local impoverished families. Register to sign up as a sponsor at www.commoncupboardgolfclassic.com.