CorneliusNews.net » Fund-raisers

Peninsula Foundation gift takes aim at closing the digital gap

dboraks — Fri, 17 May 2013 16:22:22 +0000

E3D organizer Pat Millen (fifth from left) received a check for $10,320 from Peninsula Community Foundation chair Todd Wiebusch. With them are others associated with both End Davidson’s Digital Divide and the foundation.

The Lake Norman community is responding to the technology challenge issued earlier this year by Davidson-based nonprofit E3D, which wants to put computers in the hands local schoolkids who lack them. Organizer Pat Millen says help is coming in big and small ways – from donors as large as the Peninsula Community Foundation to events like the Biggest Lemonade Stand Day Ever planned in Davidson Saturday.

The Peninsula Community Foundation recently presented E3D with a check for $10,320 to help fund the group’s goal of helping close the digital gap among families in local schools. Working with local social service and school leaders, E3D is identifying students at public schools in Cornelius and Davidson who lack computers and internet connections.

RELATED COVERAGE

May 17, 2013, DavidsonNews.net, “How to end the digital divide: lemonade stands and foundation grants”

Feb. 27, 2013, DavidsonNews.net, “E3D’s goal: Eliminate Davidson’s Digital Divide.”

Covenant minister and family headed to Africa

dboraks — Fri, 03 May 2013 19:03:27 +0000

Amy and Jason Yon with Jayden (back) and Aubrey. They’re going to Kenya for the African Children’s Project. (Kevin Cole photo)

By DAVID BORAKS
CorneliusNews.net

This week, local pastors Jason and Amy Yon put their Mooresville house on the market and began getting ready in earnest for an adventure with service in mind: They’re relocating to Kenya in August to oversee development of an orphan care ministry for Huntersville-based African Children’s Project.

“It’s happening,” Jason Yon said Friday. The director of Children’s Ministries at Grace Covenant Church in Cornelius said he has felt a calling to work in Africa since he was in college.

“It really it started as a calling from when I was in college,” he said. “I felt like God had called me to missions in Africa at that time.”

He has made a couple of visits to South Africa, but he and Amy have long wondered if they might have a chance to move to the continent.

Then the African Children’s Project offered an opportunity. When the project’s director was in Kenya recently to oversee the drilling of a well, she found they needed “someone on the ground.”

That turned out to be the Yons. They’ll be moving to the rural town of Embu, about 75 miles northeast of Nairobi.

“In cooperation with our Kenyan partners, the Yons will supervise construction of our first community-based home for orphans, while mentoring foster parents to care for the children’s physical, mental, emotional and spiritual needs,” Melanie Freshour, ACP’s Executive Director, said in a statement.

The Yons have two children, Jayden, 6, and Aubrey, 4. “The kids don’t really fully understand. But they’re very excited,” Jason said.

Jason Yon said fundraising for the trip and selling their home are the family’s priorities. “We have raised 25 percent of our monthly support. Our focus right now is sharing our mission and reaching out to additional families, churches and even businesses to partner financially with us,” he said.

The Yons are joining a non-profit organization that is staffed entirely by volunteers from the Lake Norman area and in Embu. For more information, please visit www.africanchildrensproject.org or www.yonfamily.net

FUNDRAISING 5K

On Saturday, May 11, the African Children’s Project will host its annual Run Wild 5K & Wild Child Fun Run at Birkdale Residence Club in Huntersville. They’re currently offering $5 off registration in the days before the race. Register at www.irunwild.org or at Omega Sports at 9749 Sam Furr Road in Huntersville through May 10.

Presented by the African Children’s Project, last year’s Run Wild 5K drew nearly 1,000 runners/walkers, kids, spectators and volunteers and raised more than $18,000 for the non-profit’s first family-style home for children orphaned by HIV/AIDS in Kenya. Proceeds from this year’s event will help support that first home and its first family.

For 3rd year, Troop 72 tends a garden for local food pantries

dboraks — Wed, 01 May 2013 20:23:18 +0000

Scouts planted cucumbers on Saturday at the garden. From left, the boys are Ethan Dahmer (blue shirt), Tyler Owens (red shirt), Parker Miller (green shirt), DJ Willoughby (lower white shirt), and Ben Ziegler (top white shirt). See more photos below.

Boy Scouts from Troop 72 in Cornelius spent Saturday planting vegetables in the community garden across from Bethel Presbyterian Church, on Bethel Church Road.

This is the third year for the 1/4-acre garden, which is a community service project for the scouts. All food grown is donated to the Loaves & Fishes food pantries in Davidson and Huntersville, and the Angles & Sparrows and Bread of Life soup kitchens. In total over the past two years, the garden has yielded 4,500 pounds of produce annually.

This year’s crop will include tomatoes, squash, cucumbers, zucchini,
cantaloupe, corn, watermelon and okra. There’s also an herb garden, which the soup kitchens use. And this year, at the request of the soup kitchens, the scouts have added a new crop: garlic.

Last fall the troop researched how to grow garlic and planted a raised bed of garlic. Garlic grows over the winter and should be ready to harvest in May and June.

Scoutmaster Rick Monroe gave instructions to the work team of Troop 72 scouts.

The garden wouldn’t happen without other community support, including from Bethel Church, which not only charters the troop and cub packs, but also lends the garden plot and pays the water bills, according to troop leaders. The church missions also has provided “seed money” for supplies and tools, including a used tiller.

The Brawley Company in Mooresville provides advice, as well as discounts on seeds and garden supplies. Southern Landscaping of Cornelius plows the garden every year. And North Meck High Horticulture studnets started all bedding plants from seed and grew them to transplant size.

While the garden is not organic, troop leaders say they teach the boys sustainable gardening practices such as maintaining two large compost bins, using a drip irrigation system to limit watering and by heavily mulching the garden to control weeds and reduce watering.
Other troop community service includes the annual Scouting For Food drive, which also benefits the local Loaves & Fishes food pantries. Along with Cub Scout Pack 72, the troop collected more than 11,000 pounds of canned food the past February – more than any other troop and pack in North Mecklenburg.

Thanks to Lori Owens, the troop’s communications director, for the news and photos!

Planting in rows.

The garden supplies fresh produce to local food pantries.

Celebrate Earth Day at Robbins Park Saturday

dboraks — Thu, 18 Apr 2013 13:21:43 +0000

The town of Cornelius Parks, Arts, Recreation & Culture department will host its annual Cornelius Earth Day celebration on Saturday, April 20, off West Catawba Ave.

The event, organized with the help of Lake Norman Wildlife Conservationists, runs from 10 am to noon.

You’re invited to Robbins Park for a morning filled with Earth Day activities including arts & crafts, demos, nature walk, face painting and more. Free tree saplings provided by University Turf Management. Cornelius Arts Center will have a free nature print activity, using light sensitive paper to create artworks from organic materials.

The event is free, except face painting and food. Info: Cornelius.org

RELATED EVENTS

Assessing Health Impact Assessments, Friday, April 19, noon, Davidson Town Hall, 216 S. Main St., Davidson – Davidson is a national leader in thinking about health as it plans growth. Dr. Martin Birley, a pioneer of health impact assessment, will give a public talk on “Incorporating Health Impact Assessment Into Government and Corporate Activities.” In 2011, the Town of Davidson received a grant from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention to conduct health impact assessments in town. Free. Light lunch provided. Limited 60 participants. Reserve a seat by contacting Cristina Shaul at 704-940-9602 or cshaul@townofdavidson.org.More information about the Davidson Design for Life initiative at www.townofdavidson.org/DD4L.

Whitewater Center Tuck Fest, Friday to Sunday, April 19-21, U.S. National Whitewater Center, 5000 Whitewater Center Parkway | Charlotte – The Whitewater Center hosts its first “Tuck Fest,” a three-day outdoor festival with live music, games and races. Seven live bands, more than 20 activities and races for families and adventure enthusiasts. The celebration also recognizes the center’s historical landmark Tuckaseegee Ford and Tuckaseegee Trail. Friday 6-10pm, Saturday 9am to 10pm, Sunday 11am to 6pm. For a full list of events, see USNWC.org/tuckfest/

Davidson Farmer’s Market, Saturday, April 20, 8am-noon, downtown Davidson, off Main Street next to Town Hall – Davidson Farmer’s Market, with local farmers and vendors selling meats, produce, dairy products, baked goods, and other items. Continues every Saturday through November. Information: Visit www.davidsonfarmersmarket.org. DavidsonNews.net and CorneliusNews.net are pleased to be media partners of the Davidson Farmer’s Market.

Viva Verde Earth Fest, Saturday, April 20, 9am to 2pm, North Cabarrus Park, 760 Orphanage Road, Concord – The cities of Concord and Kannapolis and Cabarrus County host the Viva Verde Earth Fest. The event is aimed a promoting a understanding of environmental issues. With live music, information booths, geocaching, on-site recycling, arts and crafts, music, children’s activities, paper shredding, food, and more. (Rain date April 27) Info: http://vivaverdeearthfest.wordpress.com/ Vendors wanted. Contact Becky Tolle at 704-920-4343 or btolle@cityofkannapolis.com.

Cornelius Earth Day at Robbins Park, 10am to noon, Robbins Park, off West Catawba Ave., Cornelius – Cornelius PARC and Lake Norman Wildlife Conservationists invite residents to Robbins Park for a morning filled with Earth Day activities including arts & crafts, demos, nature walk, face painting and more. Free tree saplings provided by University Turf Management. Cornelius Arts Center will have a free nature print activity, using light sensitive paper to create artworks from organic materials. Free, except face painting and food. Info: Cornelius.org
Whitewater Center Tuck Fest, Friday to Sunday, April 19-21, U.S. National Whitewater Center, 5000 Whitewater Center Parkway | Charlotte – The Whitewater Center hosts its first “Tuck Fest,” a three-day outdoor festival with live music, games and races. Seven live bands, more than 20 activities and races for families and adventure enthusiasts. The celebration also recognizes the center’s historical landmark Tuckaseegee Ford and Tuckaseegee Trail. Friday 6-10pm, Saturday 9am to 10pm, Sunday 11am to 6pm. For a full list of events, see USNWC.org/tuckfest/

Would-be Big Cheeses host a Smithville yard sale & a soiree

dboraks — Wed, 10 Apr 2013 21:20:32 +0000

The Rev. Etheleen Jetton is competing in this year’s Our Towns Habitat for Humanity Biggest Cheese in Town contest, and she’s throwing a Smithville Yard Sale on Saturday as part of her fundraising campaign. Sellers and buyers are invited to join in at the Smithville Community Center.

The event begins at 7am Saturday in the center parking lot, 11912 South Hill St. All proceeds benefit Our Towns Habitat for Humanity.

Come shop or sell. Info: 980-307-4377.

Click for details.

DR. BALLAS SOIREE

Dr. John Ballas of Ballas Chiropractic in Huntersville is another of this year’s Biggest Cheese contestants. He’ll be throwing a Baubles & Sweets Fundraising Soiree on April 18.

The soiree will be at Ballas Chiropractic, 9718-D Sam Furr Rd. Huntersville, on Thursday, April 18, 6:30-8:30pm. The event is free to attend, dress is casual. RSVP to pr.ballaschiro@gmail.com or call 704-896-8080.

They’ll have a silent auction, complimentary massages/health screenings, handcrafted jewelry, skin care, accessories for sale. There will also be raffles & giveaways.

ABOUT THE BIGGEST CHEESE IN TOWN

A group of local businesspeople and citizens are competing in this year’s Biggest Cheese in Town, hosting fundraisers to help out the local housing nonprofit. This year’s proceeds will go to Habitat’s Women Build program.

Last year’s winner was Rob Bennett, of Aloha Paddle Sports and Fitness, who was crowned in October. (See “Rob Bennett is Habitat’s Biggest Cheese in Town.”)

This year’s contestants:

Dr. John Ballas, Ballas Chiropractic
Rob Bennett Paddleboard & Fitness
Jenn Cox, Brow Lounge
Molly Deaton, Fit Avenue
Rev. Etheleen Jetton, Arms Wide Open Ministries
Becky Johnson, Ameriprise Financial
Jack Hart, 2012 Home Instead NC Senior Volunteer of the Year
Bill Kenney, Kilwins Chocolates
Ashley McPherson, AFLAC
Mindy Stoner, Town of Cornelius Parc & Rec

For more information about the 2013 Biggest Cheese in Town, visit OurTownsHabitat.org.

KICKOFF PARTY

Our Towns Habitat for Humanity Women Build will host their first Garden Party on May 4, in a benefit fort their new home build in Spring 2014.

It’s from 5-7pm, at SEEDS Community Garden (next to St. Alban’s Episcopal Church), 301 Caldwell Lane, Davidson.

They’ll have a wine and cheese tasting, hors d’oeuvres, desserts, garden tours, music, art, prize drawings, a meet and greet with Biggest Cheese in Town contestants.

Tickets are $20 (includes 2 glasses of wine or beer/food). On sale at ourtownshabitat.org

CAP selling tickets for Taste of Art fundraiser

dboraks — Wed, 03 Apr 2013 20:03:27 +0000

Community Arts Project’s 6th annual Taste of Art fundraiser is scheduled Thursday, April 11, at Fresh Market, with a wine tasting, hors d’oeuvres, and a silent auction to benefit the nonprofit arts group.

The event runs from 8-10pm at Fresh Market, 20623 Torrence Chapel Rd, Cornelius. Tickets are $30 in advance, $35 the night of the event. Buy tickets at the Cornelius Arts Center, 19725 Oak St., in the Oak Street Mill (behind Cornelius Police Station). Or call 704-896-8823. Tickets also will be available at the Fresh Market.

The wine tasting will consist of 1 oz. pours of more than 30 different wines. The silent auction will feature art, jewelry, items from local businesses and more.

The store is closed to the public during the event. Wine discounts will be available on purchases by guests that evening. Meet local celebrity Chef Troy Gagliardo from “Fox News Rising” and bid on items in CAP’s Silent Auction fundraiser.

The fundraiser comes as the Community Arts Project prepares to move this fall from the Cornelius Arts Center in the Oak Street Mill to a new facility. CAP receives 100 percent of the $30 ticket price.

The event is for ages 21 and up. Organizers also are looking for donations of items from artists and businesses for the Silent Auction. To help out, contact Cathy Templeton at 704-896-8823.