In keeping with the Club's purpose, the Community Affairs Department supports the efforts of other Lake Norman organizations in making a difference in the lives of our neighbors.
The list is long, and the projects vary. In the past several years, we have painted walls, made blankets, prepared meals, filled backpacks, given blood, baked cookies, played Bingo, sung Christmas carols, walked for the "Cure," and even cleaned toilets!!!
The Club has had a supportive presence here since the soup kitchen first opened. We help prepare, serve, and clean up for the approximately 75 people who are fed here daily, and help put together bag lunches for children during the summer. Our fundraising projects have helped finance a number of enhancements including a dishwasher.
This assisted living facility in Mooresville serves financially needy individuals. We plan holiday-themed visits – and show up wearing witch hats or Santa hats, play Bingo with them, sing songs, and hunt for Easter eggs. We have provided them with much-needed toiletries, a television, and concrete tables and benches so they can enjoy being outside.
A Club member recently brought this Town of Huntersville facility to our attention. With a limited budget, its director offers quality after-school care as well as a summer camp for area children. Club members delivered carloads of sports equipment, board games, craft supplies, and bean bag chairs to a group of very excited and most thankful kids.
We have supported this cause for a number of years. After enjoying brisk, October morning walks, we then treat ourselves to a hearty breakfast. Switching it up, we organized a fun Chili for the Cure Cook-Off with a delicious variety of entries vying for "Best Overall." This was a big success, and will hopefully be repeated. Either way, Club members as well as their family and friends have helped raise approximately $1,500 each year.
Every April, teams of members provide dinner for the residents' families. Reaching out to strangers at a most difficult moment in their lives is such a simple gesture, and one that is very appreciated.
Participation in our annual blood drive continues to grow. Because the blood center donates a pound of food for every pint of blood collected, we enhance the local blood supply and, at the same time, help fill the shelves of our area food banks.
In addition to financial support for the Center, club members volunteer there several times a year. Usually we help out with arts and craft activities or fun science projects, but have also joined in to "spruce" up the outside by cleaning out bed areas and spreading new mulch.
These are just some of the projects we have been involved in. We are always looking for new ways to reach out to our neighbors in the community. If you have ideas, we'd love to hear from you.