Community Spirit

From Sit-ins to Eat-ins: Celebrating 50 yrs of Desegregation in Charlotte

Friday, May 17th, 2013, 2:27pm

From Sit-ins to Eat-ins: Celebrating 50 yrs of Desegregation in Charlotte

Charlotte made national headlines in May 1963 when Chamber of Commerce members led by Mayor Stan Brookshire voluntarily joined with African American leaders to go two-by-two and desegregate Charlotte’s leading restaurants. This “eat-in” came three years after the sit-in movement had opened lunch counters.

Charlotte Civil Rights activist Dr. Reginald Hawkins triggered the action, leading a march on May 20, 1963 from Johnson C.

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5k race funds social services

Submitted by Joe Hester, Community News Producer

Friday, May 10th, 2013, 8:00am

Jewish Family Services is hosting its third annual fundraising 5k run/walk and 1 mile fun run this weekend.

The 2013 Friends 5k Run takes a challenging chip-timed loop around lovely Landsdowne.

Those in attendance can view Items from an online auction which concludes later in the day.

An activity fun zone is available for the kids to bounce and play before and after the race.

All proceeds from the event directly benefit Jewish Family Services, which helps members of the community with issues relating to aging, parenting, illness, job loss, disability and poverty, regardless of age, religion or socio-economic background.

Runners are to meet at Shalom Park, located at 5007 Providence Road in Charlotte, Sunday May 12, at 8 a.m.

The cost of registration ranges between $12 and $35.

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Second Harvest Food Bank needs your vote!

Submitted by WBTV Web Staff

Monday, April 29th, 2013, 2:16pm

Second Harvest Food Bank needs your vote!

Second Harvest Food Bank of Metrolina is hoping the public can help them click their way to a grant from Walmart by voting for them in the "Fighting Hunger Together" initiative.

This initiative is a national campaign where money is awarded to programs that get the most votes for their innovative and effective programs that help alleviate child hunger. The public will decide what organization will receive the grants through a voting campaign at www.facebook.com/walmart that includes more than 300 different hunger relief organizations from across the country.

The more votes a Feeding America food bank or partner agency gets, the better chances they have of winning the money.

The campaign kicked off April 1, and ends 11:59 pm ET on April 30.

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CATS recieves awards for Safest Systems in the State

Submitted by WBTV Web Staff

Friday, April 26th, 2013, 2:48pm

CATS recieves awards for Safest Systems in the State

The Charlotte Area Transit System (CATS) Special Transportation Service (STS) and Bus Operations Division (BOD) received top honors from the North Carolina Public Transportation Association (NCPTA) as safest transit systems in the state.

STS received an award for the safest Urban Dial-A-Ride system in the state for the fifth consecutive year. BOD received its seventh award as the Safest Large Bus System in the State.

Last year CATS operators drove over 15 million miles and handled over 26 million rides, while maintaining a 0.44 preventable accident rate per 100,000 miles.

“We are very committed to safety and these awards are a great indicator that our staff is giving its best to ensure the safety of our customers,” said CATS CEO Carolyn Flowers.

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Chamber seeks restaurant sponsors for upcoming picnic

Submitted by Joe Hester, Community News Producer

Monday, April 22nd, 2013, 3:33pm

Chamber seeks restaurant sponsors for upcoming picnic

The South Park Chapter of the Charlotte Chamber of Commerce is hosting its annual picnic.

Picnic at South Park offers food from area restaurants, live entertainment, corporate sponsor offerings and great networking opportunities.

Among the restaurants featured are Brio Tuscan Grille, City Tavern, Harper's, McCormick & Schmick, Wolfgang Puck Pizza/Bar, and California Kitchen.

The Picnic takes place at the Pavilion at Symphony Park, located at 4400 Sharon Road in Charlotte, Tuesday May 14, from 11:30 a.m. until 1 p.m.

To become a restaurant or corporate sponsor, visit the Chamber's website.

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Fundraising walk to benefit 45,000 lupus sufferers

Submitted by Joe Hester, Community News Producer

Monday, April 22nd, 2013, 12:59pm

Fundraising walk to benefit 45,000 lupus sufferers

The Lupus Foundation of America is holding its annual fundraising walk this weekend.

Walk To End Lupus Now is the most critical fundraiser for the Foundation's North Carolina Chapter.

Proceeds from the Walk go toward helping the 45,000 North Carolina residents living with lupus.

Lupus strikes without warning, has unpredictable and sometimes fatal effects, and has no known cure.

Symptoms range from fatigue to seizures and virtually everything in between.

Walkers are to meet on the King's Green (the Overcash Building's lawn) at Central Piedmont Community College, located at 1201 Elizabeth Avenue in Charlotte, Sunday April 28, at 2:15 p.m.

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BI-LO hosts 4th Annual "Feed the Love" campaign to help needy families and their pets

Submitted by WBTV Web Staff

Tuesday, April 9th, 2013, 5:42pm

BI-LO hosts 4th Annual "Feed the Love" campaign to help needy families and their pets

BI-LO is committed to helping the community and its customers receive the resources they need to care for the ones they love during tough financial times. BI-LO’s care extends beyond the reach of just individuals and family members to also include beloved household pets.

Beginning today Tuesday, April 9, and lasting until Tuesday, April 30, BI-LO will host its fourth annual PAWS “Feed the Love” campaign. “Feed the Love” is a pet food drive in which food donations go to local-area food banks for families in need to be able to provide food for the four-legged members of their families.

Shoppers can purchase a $5 bag of pet food with the MY BI-LO BONUSCARD, and the food will be picked up by or delivered to the store’s food bank partner.

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