The United Way of Central Carolinas said Tuesday it raised $20.9 million in its 2011 campaign, topping its $20.5 million goal. The organization, which helps fund nonprofits throughout the region, said it was the first time in four years that donations have increased over the previous year. Read the full story

The senior boys at W.A. Hough High School on Friday competed in the second annual Mr. Irresistible contest, an event to raise money to build schools in South Sudan. Hough senior Collin Black won this year’s Mr. Irresistible title, with Mitchell Walley and Ben Craig taking second and third place respectively.

The funds raised will go towards building two schools in South Sudan that will serve more than 600 students. Read the full story

The Rotary Club of North Mecklenburg will host its annual pancake breakfast and Lake Norman talent show this Saturday morning, Feb. 11 at Bethel Presbyterian Church in Cornelius. Meanwhile, we have a long list of other upcoming fundraisers for area nonprofits. Read the full story

DAVIDSON – Eight area restaurants brought their best soups Davidson College Saturday afternoon for the eighth annual Souper Bowl, a soup cook-off among local chefs that raises money for the Davidson Housing Coalition’s HAMMERS emergency home repair program. More than 400 diners were there, tasting the soups and picking winners in a variety of categories from most creative to best vegetarian. Find out which soups won and see a gallery of photos from Saturday’s event on DavidsonNews.net.

Community members are invited to register for the first annual Swing Fore A Child’s Place golf tournament Tuesday, April 24, at River Run Country Club in Davidson. Players will enjoy a day of golf, food and prizes while helping impact the lives of homeless children in Mecklenburg County.

A Child’s Place provides homeless children with educational, emotional and health support, helping to keep them healthy and in the classroom. Read the full story

Rotary International announced at its assembly last week that it has exceeded its goal to raise $200 million for its End Polio Now campaign. And it did so more than five months before the official end of the challenge, which earned it another $50 Million from the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation. Also, The Rotary Club of North Mecklenburg plans its annual talent show and pancake breakfast to raise money for two nonprofits. Read below for details. Read the full story

Organizers hoping to open a planned end-of-life “comfort care” home in Davidson or Cornelius this year are continuing to search for a house or building along the N.C. 115 corridor in the towns. And as they search, they’re starting training for volunteer “angels” who would staff the home. Read the full story

By CHRISTINA RITCHIE ROGERS
CorneliusNews.net

Thirty-seven brave people took a dip in Lake Cornelius Saturday, at the YMCA’s inaugural Polar Bear Plunge. The air – and water – temperatures were in the mid-40s.

The Y hosted the waterfront event to raise awareness and support for its programs, including Y-Readers, Adaptive Water Skiing, Summer Camp and OWLS. The event brought in about $1,000 for the programs, spokeswoman Megan Britt said.

People gathered around a waterfront bonfire bundled up in hats, scarves and coats, before shedding their layers and taking the plunge. The Y plans to host a “plunge” annually,Ms. Britt said.

“It’s a great way to get the community out and let them know that [the Lake Norman YMCA] has a waterfront… it’s kind of a hidden gem,” Aquatics Coordinator for the Lake Norman YMCA Amy Bolch said.