Past Food Drives + Events

Thank you! You have made a HUGE positive difference for 64 families in our community by giving them summer food support!

On Tuesday, May 31st, we delivered $27,850 worth of grocery gift cards to our amazing counselors/social workers at each of our 9 schools that feeds into Ardrey Kell High School.

Each of the 64 families received (see picture below)...

a decorated “Summer” envelope with a grocery gift card and a note from Ballantyne Families

an encouraging note from a volunteer

The gift card amount was based on family size (under 3 members = $320, 4 = $420, 5 = $500, 6+ = $660).

Also, the food pantry will be available during the summer for families who need it!

Thanks from Our Families and Counselors/Social Worker

We have already received some thank yous from families who have received summer support:

"I wanted to thank you from the bottom of my heart and tell you throughout the year you guys are being a bless for my family, with this help and the whole school staff. I really appreciate your help. Thanks 🙏🏼 "

"I have no words. Thank you so much. This always helps our family tremendously. Let us know if there is anything we can do to give back. Have a beautiful summer. Thank you!”

"Your kindness and generosity has had a great impact on so many homefronts. During this time of adjustment, your thoughtfulness has made a few situations less stressful. God Bless!”

Below you will see thanks from each of our counselor/social worker contacts to all of you - (Amber Brown - Elon Park, Kristen Downard - Endhaven, Jon Rochester - AK, Mary Bleich - Hawk Ridge, Valerie Johnson - Community House, Melissa Stevenson - Polo Ridge, Julie Romanin - Ballantyne Elementary, Lisa Smith - JM Robinson and Amber Heine - Rea Farms).

A BIG thanks to the following people who helped make it happen:

“Summer” envelope designer - 8th grader

Emily Hunt

Encouraging notes written by our students:

CHMS National Junior Honor Society, Maddie Emmett, Ethan Naftzger, Agastya and Ari Kartha, Caitlin Ledford

Helped with the Harris Teeter gift card purchase

David Hall

School counselors/social worker

AK - Jon Rochester, CHMS - Valerie Johnson, JM Robinson - Lisa Smith, Rea Farms - Amber Heine, Ballantyne Elementary - Julie Romanin, Elon Park - Amber Brown, Endhaven - Kristen Downard, Hawk Ridge - Mary Bleich, Polo Ridge - Melissa Stevenson

School Champions

AK - Maddy Starkey, Kate Macrone, Lauren Rosenbaum; CHMS - Debora Pupo; JM Robinson - Lee Suggs; Rea Farms - Maggie Webb; Ballantyne Elementary - Kristin Barry; Elon Park - Beth Patterson; Endhaven - Amy Tyndall; Hawk Ridge - Laura Schlesing; Polo Ridge - Sherry Gillespie

Ballantyne Families Pantry Managers

Tammy Ledford, Audi Naftzger

Manages the contact database

Dana White

Manages receipts for donations

Chris Michals-Bucher

Ballantyne Families' Board Members

Janelle Clemons, Tori Collins, Liz Emmett, Valerie Johnson, Lauren Rosenbaum

Without all of us working together, none of this would be possible!

What's Next?

Ballantyne Families is in the summer issue of Ballantyne Magazine

We’re looking for grant writers and corporate donation volunteers. Please contact Heather McAfee (heathermcafee@mac.com)!

We will start back up at the beginning of the school year to do 4 givings for the school year and the food pantry

We can’t thank you enough for your continued support. Your generosity makes a huge difference for our neighbors in need!

Have a safe, healthy, and relaxing summer!

Heather

With your support, we have successfully given out spring break food support to the school counselors/social worker for 59 families*. We provided $3,750 worth of grocery gift cards and 102 bags of food from our pantry. Can’t thank you enough!

Here is what each family received from us (see pictures below):

A grocery gift card with a note from Ballantyne Families in an envelope that was decorated by CHMS 8th grader, Emily Hunt

A note of encouragement from either the Charlotte Moms of Multiples with the help of Cambrie Anderson or Ardrey Kell 11th grader, Cecilia Bolling.

In addition:

Elementary and middle school families received a $50 grocery gift card and 2 very full bags of food

High school families received a $150 grocery gift card

So thankful for the following volunteers who made it all happen:

Put together 102 bags of food from our pantry on 3/31: Christine Burton, Lauren Rosenbaum, Honey Kumar, Vicky Irvine , Liz Emmett, Annabel Levy, Monika Bagda, Sally Pickard, Tori Collins, Robert McAfee and Lance McAfee

Delivered the food and cards to the school counselors on 4/1: Sandy Vlahus, Laura Katute, Kim Ransom, Dayna Galdunski, Lauren Rosenbaum, Tammy Menzel, Janyl Rudloff, Liz Emmett, Sally Pickard, and Tori Collins

Pantry Update:

As of 4/1, we have served 23 families with food from the food pantry since 2/3.

Thanks to following volunteers who have created food bags and delivered them to the schools:

Mini Kartha, Surakshi De Alwis, Melissa Graham, Jennifer Miracle, Alyssa Cowell, Usha GettamGettam, Lisa Janowicz, Tammy Menzel, Lisa Janowicz, Carol Bower, Nikki Dragone, Marieta Stewart and Kim Robiliotto. Pantry Managers: Tammy Ledford and Audi Naftzger

What’s Next:

After spring break, we will be sending out a SignUpGenius requesting people to adopt a family in need for the summer through donations for grocery gift cards. Because the school counselors and social worker don’t work in the summer, we will be giving food support for the entire summer at the end of the school year. This is the same support that we have given for the last two summers. We will need everyone’s help and support in filling these needs and spreading the word. Thanks in advance for your help!

With your support, many families will have an easier spring break! Thank you for stepping up and making a difference in these families’ lives and in our community!

Happy spring to all and thanks again for everything!

Heather

*All families attend or work at one of the 9 schools in the Ardrey Kell High School feeder pattern. All families are identified by the school counselors or school social worker.

We have exciting news ….. The Ballantyne Families’ Food Pantry is now open!! The pantry is fully stocked with non-perishable food. The pantry is available to any family that attends or works for one of the 9 schools in the Ardrey Kelly feeder pattern. It is located in a trailer at Community House Middle School.

If you or someone you know needs food assistance, please contact the school counselor. The counselor will fill out a google form with the family to select food options. Once a week, volunteers will select the food and deliver it to the counselor who made the request.

MANY, MANY HANDS were involved in order to make this pantry a reality! Please take a look at the below thanks and pictures - this has truly been a community effort!!!

A huge thanks to Tori Collins for leading the pantry process creation, Audi Naftzer and Tammy Ledford for stepping up to be the pantry managers and to Brian Slattery, Principal of Community House Middle School, who secured a location for the pantry and has been so supportive of our efforts!

Thank you again for your continued support in helping our neighbors in need and making a difference in our community!!

Heather

Ballantyne Families Helping Neighbors In Need

www.tinyurl.com/ballantynefamilies

Facebook - Ballantyne Families Helping Neighbors

Many thanks to the following groups/people who helped make the food pantry a reality!!

Food Collectors:

Hawk Ridge Elementary

Led by the 5th graders and Ms. Sadler and Ms. Unferth

Ballantyne Families and Hawk Ridge Coordinator: Sara Seaman

Ballantyne Families School Champion: Laura Schlesing

Delivery volunteers:

Andrea Hudson

Chara Bell

Sandra Gonzalez

Paulina Coello

Endhaven Elementary School

Led by counselors Kristin Downard and April Locklear

Ballantyne Families School Champion: Amy Tyndall

Delivery volunteers through the PTA:

Kim Overcash

Melissa Graham

Trina Ridenhour

Community House Middle School (CHMS)

Led by the Cav Crew (CHMS Student Government) and teachers, Lexie Landers and Caroline Arzonico

Ballantyne Families School Champion: Debora Pupo

Collectors/sorters/expiration date lookers/deliverers - Cav Crew and counselors, Valerie Johnson, Cassandra Perkins and Christine Babao)

A huge thanks to principal, Brian Slattery, for his support in securing a location for the pantry

Front office staff, Juanita Anzola, Angela Stewart and Ryan Neelsen, for their extra work in having more people checking in at the front office to get to the pantry

Ardrey Kell’s Can’s for Kids

Co-leaders: Jerry Lin, Richard Lin, Joshua Cai, and Eric Cai

Volunteers: Morong Huang, Ethan Xu, James Wang, Kyle Chen, and David Pu

Bridgehampton Neighborhood

Volunteers: Samihan Nimbalkar, Daniel, Jackson, Dan and Joyce Kenny, Carrie and Hayley Johnson, Karen and Mathew Johnsen, Yami, Jason and Jake Siesel, Caroline, Caleb, David and Lauren Rosenbaum, Elliott Parish, Katelyn, Mason, Tyler, and Robert McAfee

Brown bag donation: the Siesel family

Raeburn Neighborhood

Organizer: Jessica Collazo

Charlotte Women’s Club

Organizer: Robin McLaurin

Volunteers

Pantry Process Lead: Tori Collins

Pantry Managers: Tammy Ledford and Audi Naftzger

Pantry Set Up Helpers: Honey Kumar, Taylor Vergakis, Mini Kartha, Melissa Graham, Izzeldin Shibeika, Abeer Ibrahim, Lauren Rosenbaum, Liz Emmett, Tori Collins, Audi Naftzger, Tammy Ledford, Katelyn, Mason, Tyler and Robert McAfee

Pantry Volunteers (they select the food and deliver to the counselors who make the request. We need more volunteers! If you want to sign up: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0f44afae2aa1f9c25-food): Alyssa Cowell, Amulya Deepak, Carol Bower, Honey Kumar, Jennifer Miracle, Jennifer Tally, Lisa Janowicz, Marieta Stewart, Melissa Graham, Mini Kartha, Nikki Dragone, and Surakshi De Alwis

Pantry carpenter and strategists: Robert and Katelyn McAfee

Ballantyne Families Helping Neighbors In Need Board (they work so hard behind the scenes to make everything happen): Lauren Rosenbaum, Liz Emmett, Valerie Johnson, Janelle Clemons and Tori Collins

Harris Teeter managers at the John J. Delaney location for donating reusable bags and a shopping cart (secured by Kate Macrone)

Contact database manager: Dana White

Donations and matching gifts: Chris Michals-Bucher

AMAZING Counselors/Social Worker who make it all happen!:

Jon Rochester - Ardrey Kell High School

Valerie Johnson - Community House Middle School

Lisa Smith - JM Robinson Middle School

Amber Heine - Rea Farms STEAM Academy

Julie Romanin - Ballantyne Elementary School

Amber Brown - Elon Park Elementary School

Kristen Downard - Endhaven Elementary School

Mary Bleich - Hawk Ridge Elementary School

Melissa Stevenson - Polo Ridge Elementary School

Happy holidays! Thank you for making the holiday a little brighter for our neighbors!

All of the food and gift cards were gathered at the same time as the Thanksgiving drive. A special thanks to Elon Park Elementary, Rea Farms STEAM Academy, JM Robinson Middle School, Ardrey Kell High School, and Community House Middle School for all of their support!

Each elementary and middle school family received 4 bags of food to make 4 holiday meals, a $50 grocery gift card, a note from Ballantyne Families, and an encouraging note from Community House students. Each high school family received a $150 grocery gift card, a note from Ballantyne Families, and an encouraging note from Community House students.

Here is a thank you that we received from a family who received help for Thanksgiving and the December holidays.

"On behalf of my family I would to take this moment to extend our gratitude to each and every one that contributed to and made holiday support possible. We were touched beyond words at the outpouring of such kind generosity and thoughtfulness. Thank you for making our Thanksgiving holiday obtainable with the grocery gift card. In addition, the students' homemade envelope and Thanksgiving Day card we received were amazing, absolutely priceless. My heart is still smiling. It is our wish that you and your families were equally blessed with a special Thanksgiving and receive continued blessings throughout the rest of the holiday season."

I'm proud to be a part of our community! Thanks again for making such a positive difference!

Heather

THANK YOU!!

Because of YOUR generosity, our 80 families are receiving more than we expected for Thanksgiving with over $8,000 in grocery gift cards and 80 bags of food to make a holiday meal! We have already collected for the December holidays as well and we will be able to give the same amounts - if not more for December!!

All families were identified by one of the counselors or social workers in the 9 schools that feed into Ardrey Kell High School.

Here is what each family received:

• Elementary and middle school family:

  • 2 food bags (expected only 1) to make a holiday meal

  • Thanksgiving napkins

  • a $50 grocery gift card

  • a note from Ballantyne Families

  • an encouraging note from an Elon Park Elementary’s 5th grade student or a Community House Middle School Cav Crew student.

• High school family:

  • a $150 grocery gift card (expected $100)

  • a note from Ballantyne Families

  • an encouraging note from an Elon Park Elementary’s 5th grade student or a Community House Middle School Cav Crew student.

A HUGE thank you to all of the student, teachers, staff and families at Ardrey Kell, Elon Park, Community House, Rea Farms and JM Robinson who helped to collect all of the food and gift cards. It is beyond tremendous what you accomplished!! Amazing to see our students become so passionate to help our neighbors in need!! Also, so many people in our community stepped up to make a difference. We are an awesome village! Please see below for special thanks and pictures!

Thank you for your love, generosity, kindness and action to make a positive difference in 80 families in our community this holiday season! We truly can’t thank you enough for help! So thankful for you!

Wishing you and your family a very happy and safe Thanksgiving!!

Heather

Over $28,000 in grocery gift cards were given to the 9 school counselors this week to distribute to 76 Ballantyne families!! We have now given over $200,000 in food assistance (over $175,000 in grocery gift cards and over 1,400 bags of groceries) since last March!!! Amazing!!

This summer, each family will receive 3 months worth of grocery gift cards (families 3 or less members received $300,4 = $380, 5 = $450 and 6 = $600). Along with the gift cards, each family received an inspirational card from the Greve family (Elon Park and CHMS) or Alec Anista, an 8th grader at CHMS who is part of the U14s Charlotte FC Academy.

Over 750 families have been involved in these efforts to help families in need in Ballantyne! Thank you for being such a positive force - it is incredible what we can do when we work together to help one another!

You have given light and hope to these families in need as well as a little breathing room to focus on financial needs other than food. Thank you!!

Next school year, we will transition to help families 4 times a year - Thanksgiving, before December holidays, before spring break and at the end of the school year. Can’t wait to see what more we can do together to help our neighbors!

Best wishes to you and your family for a happy, healthy and safe summer!

Thanks again for everything!

Heather

PS - A special thanks to the Ballantyne Families Helping Neighbors In Need board members who faithfully and tirelessly supported our efforts: Tori Collins, Valerie Johnson, Janelle Clemons and Liz Emmett.

During the week of May 3, May grocery gift cards were distributed to the school counselors - worth over $9,000 and going to 75 families!

I continue to be in awe of you and our community. I know that for some of you it feels like this has gone on forever, but I’d love for you to pause for a moment and really think about what a huge positive impact you are making. Because of you ...

• Families can get food on their dinner tables to feed their kids.

• Some food costs are covered so that families can spend money on paying rent, utilities, medical bills, etc.

• Parents and kids can focus on school and their jobs with less worry.

• Families can feel lighter because some basic needs are being met.

• Families feel supported and loved by their community!

Thank you for being so generous and thoughtful in helping our neighbors in need!

Stay safe and healthy!

Heather

Happy spring everyone! I hope this email finds you and your family safe and healthy. For those on the CMS schedule, I hope that you and your families have a great spring break.

To help families during spring break, we gave out the April gift cards to the school counselors on Monday, March 29th. We supported 70 families and gave out roughly $8,000 in Walmart and Harris Teeter gift cards!

Even though we have been doing this for over a year, I’m still amazed by YOU and our community! So far, you have given over $138,000 in grocery gift cards! Yes - over $138,000! (To see the video recap, you can go to: www.tinyurl.com/bf-year-one-review.) You made a huge positive difference in so many families in our area! Your generosity and love towards our neighbors is so inspiring!

Even though we have done so much, there is still so much for us to do. Please see below.

The last year has been challenging to all of us in some way. I’m grateful that we have been able to work together for a common good in helping others in our community. Thank you so much for your continued support!!

For those who celebrate, happy Easter!

Stay safe and healthy!

Heather

What is Needed?

• After spring break, we will be sending out the sign up for the summer gift cards. We will be asking for people to sponsor a family for half of the summer, similar to last year. If you are able, please join me in sponsoring a family and/or spreading the word. We really need your help to make sure that the summer sponsorship slots are filled!

• Do you or someone in your family work for a company that gives community grants or donates money to local non-profits? If so, we would love your help! Please let me know if you are interested in having your company support our cause. You can email heathermcafee@mac.com.

What is Next?

• May gift cards will be given on Monday, May 3rd

• Summer gift cards will be given on Monday, May 24th

• Next school year’s plan - In the fall, we are hoping that things will be more normal. After talking with the counselors, it seems that there are 4 opportunities that will help families the most during the year (see below). Hoping to do a mix of physical bags and gift cards for each event:

  • Thanksgiving

  • December holidays

  • Before spring break

  • End of the school year

Many Thanks

All of you have helped throughout this journey! Thank you! Below are the people who have consistently donated their time towards our cause. There are also lots of people who have helped from time to time. Thank you to you as well! It takes a village! Thanks for being a part of the village!

School Counselors (our key contacts to our families) - see graph below

School Champions (they help share Ballantyne Families information through their school’s communication vehicles) - see graph below

Neighborhood Champions - Neighborhood Champions help us to spread the word within their neighborhoods

• Janelle Clemons

• Marieta Stewart

• Kim Overcash

• Gail Houghton

• Sarah Dorsey

• Sonia Neiderman

• Lea Ann James

• Daren DeSantis

• Becky Roman

• Meghan Rawlings

• Brooke Christmas

• Audi Naftzger

• Jason Geiger

• Jodi Mecham

• Debbie Kirsch

• Carrie Roberts

• Courtney Cooper

• Haven Fogarty

• Heather Barker

• Lisa Hunt

• Maggie Webb

• Teri Saurer

• Farah Daruvala

Contact/Database coordinator

• Dana White

Social Media Help

• Mini Kartha

• Laura Sweeney

Grant/Corporate Sponsorships

• Liz Emmett

• Beth Wood

• Kyle Smith

• Ashley Parrish

Ballantyne Families Board

• Tori Collins

• Valerie Johnson

• Janelle Clemons

• Liz Emmett

PS - if you want to get more involved, please email Heather at heathermcafee@mac.com.

It is hard to believe that we have been working together for almost a year! No one could have known that a year later our lives would still be drastically different than before. This last year has been very challenging, but the BIG silver lining is that we now know that our community can come together and do unbelievable things to help our neighbors who are in need!

On March 3rd and 4th, the school counselors received the March gift cards. This month, we helped 67 families and gave roughly $7000 in grocery gift cards! It is truly amazing what you continue to help us do!

Please see special thanks and current need below.

So proud of what we have done together and look forward to what we can still do!

Stay safe and healthy,

Heather

Special Thanks

• To the incredible school counselors (see pictures below) who take a lot of time to connect and give the gift cards out to the families each month. See their pictures below. Mary Bleich (Hawk Ridge), Amber Heine (Rea Farms), Melissa Stevenson (Polo Ridge), Joanne Anderson (Ballantyne), Mary Sartwell (Ardrey Kell), Erika Clarke (Endhaven), Amber Brown (Elon Park), Lisa Smith (JM Robinson), and Valerie Johnson (Community House)

• To the Young Black Leadership Alliance for donating $5000 in Harris Teeter gift cards!

Current Need

• We have done a great job sponsoring, but we have 55 slots for April and May gift cards. Please help us fill the slots by signing up or sharing with your friends and neighbors. Here is the sign up: www.tinyurl.com/bf-spring-2021

As we move into 2021, I am amazed at the positivity and generosity that continues to pour from our community!

On February 3rd and 4th, we distributed the February gift cards to the 9 school counselors. This month, we helped 93 families with gift cards that, together, are worth almost $12,000. Each family received a gift card amount that correlates to their family size (a family of 3 and under = $100, 4 = $125, 5 = $150 and 6 = $200), a note from us and a resource page. Counselors continue to express how grateful the families are to receive this support. Please see pictures below for pictures of the resource page/gift cards and some of the counselors with their school’s envelopes.

As all of us work through this challenging time, we would like to extend our thanks to some specific people/companies who are stepping up to help, share some important donation matching information and what is next in our quest to help others in our community. Please see below for more.

Can’t thank you enough for your support and can’t wait to see what more we can do in the future!

Stay healthy and safe,

Heather

THANK YOU

• February’s grocery gift cards would not have happened without the following support

  • Thank you to all of you who signed up and completed the Ballantyne Families Fit21 Fundraiser!
    

  • A HUGE thanks to our Fit21 sponsors who helped to make it happen

Silver sponsors:

Beth Wood Law

Poterack Capital Advisory, Inc.

Gold sponsors:

Kyle Smith with Helen Adams Realty

Meghan Rawlings, Cognitive Behavioral Therapy

Big Frog Printing

• • A big thanks to Coca Cola Consolidated for giving us a $5,000 grant.

• A special thank you to some amazing individuals who have stepped up to take important roles in helping Ballantyne Families thrive

  • Corporate matching programs/donation receipts - Chis Michals-Bucher

  • Social Media - Laura Sweeney and Mini Kartha

  • Grants and Corporate Sponsors - Liz Emmett, Beth Wood, Kyle Smith and Ashley Parrish

  • Managing our contact database - Dana White

  • Ballantyne Families Helping Neighbors In Need board members - Liz Emmett, Tori Collins, Janelle Clemmons and Valerie Johnson

COMPANY MATCHING FUNDS

• Many local employers offer generous company matching funds. Help us maximize those matching funds. Ballantyne Families Helping Neighbors In Need loses out on matching funds if you do not properly submit the request with your employer. Please be sure to follow your company’s guidelines by submitting it in any online database (i.e. Bank of America, Your Cause, Benevity) or email any required paperwork to us. The formal non-profit name is Ballantyne Families Helping Neighbors in Need. Any questions or to request our FEIN number, please email, Chris Micals-Bucher at cmichalsbucher@icloud.com

WHAT’S NEXT

• March gift cards - We will be sending out a "sponsor a family” sign up genius in the next week or so. In the signup, we will be requesting help for March, April and May food assistance. Please be on the look out for the email and please help to spread the word so that we can make sure our families in need are supported.

Facebook: @BallantyneFamiliesHelpingNeighbors

Instagram: @ballantynefamilies

As we enter the new year, I’m grateful for YOU and our community! Together, we continue to shine a light of hope for our neighbors who need help right now. Thank you for giving support in so many ways - donating food, giving money, driving food to different schools, writing encouraging notes, entering and organizing contacts, agreeing to help with grant writing, helping with spreading our efforts to the schools, etc..

With everyone working together, we were able to distribute an incredible amount of January support to our families in need. Thank you for all your efforts to make it happen! See below for more details. Also, please take a look below for upcoming needs specifically for February gift card support.

Looking forward to all of the amazing things that we will do in 2021 to make a positive impact on our community!

Heather

Thank you

We distributed 285 bags of food (over 3,700 nonperishable food items) and $7600 in Harris Teeter gift cards to the school counselors! Each of the 95 families that we helped received:

• 3 full bags of groceries (see pictures - the two pictures of food on the ground are examples of what was given to each family)

• $80 in Harris Teeter gift cards

• A note from us

• An encouraging hand written note

• A resource page

Many thanks to:

• Young Black Leadership Alliance for providing $50 Harris Teeter gift cards for each family

• Ardrey Kell's International Thespian Society for writing all of the encouraging notes

• Ardrey Kell High School’s Administration especially Bridget Ritch for their support and allowing us to store and distribute from the school.

• Liz Emmett, Tori Collins, Valerie Johnson and Katelyn McAfee for working tirelessly in sorting and making all of the bags of food

• Brooke and Aidan Christmas, Dana and Alexandra White, Susan Medina, Gayle Gold, Raja Chadalawada, Tori and Will Collins, Liz and Jack Emmett and Robert McAfee for getting the bags ready and/or distributing the food to the schools

Needs:

• Support for February gift cards (two options)

  • Donate via Venmo (bfhelpingbf) or PayPal (bfhelpingbf@gmail.com). Each family will receive a grocery gift card ($100 for a family of 3 and under, $125 = family of 4, $150 = family of 5, $200 = family of 6+)

  • Sign up for the Ballantyne Families Fit21 Fundraiser: https://tinyurl.com/fit21-signup

    • In an effort to not just ask you for money, we decided that we would play off New Year’s fitness with helping our neighbors through Ballantyne Families Fit21.

    • Throughout the month of January, each participant pledges to complete 21 fitness activities. Examples include, but are not limited to, walking 21 miles, biking 21 miles, exercising 21 days in a row, etc. You can get your friends and family to sponsor you! Collect a flat donation or amount for every completed task! Fill out the sign up form here: https://tinyurl.com/fit21-signup

    • Raise $100 or more to be a FIT21 Fitness and Fundraiser Champion! 100% of our donation provides food support for Ballantyne families in need in February and you will receive a thank you T-shirt delivered to your mailbox! T-shirts are made possible by our sponsors (Gold = Beth Wood Law, Poterack Capital Advisory, Inc. Silver = Meghan Rawlings Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, Kyle Smith with Helen Adams Realty and Big Frog Printing). Make sure to take pictures of you and your shirt and post to Facebook - @BallantyneFamiliesHelpingNeighbors and Instagram - @Ballantynefamilies or hashtag #BF-Fit21

• Volunteers who would like to help find grants, write grants and get corporate sponsorships

  • With our 501c3 status, there are so many new opportunities to get help for our neighbors in need! If you have experience with grants/corporate sponsorships or just have the desire to make a big difference in our community, please reach out to Liz Emmett (lizandjack22@hotmail.com). We will create a team of people to try to maximize the help that we can provide to our families in need

• Social media gurus to help with our Facebook and Instagram pages

  • Please reach out to heathermcafee@mac.com if you are interested in helping and/or lending your expertise.

Happy Holidays to you and your family! A lot of incredible things are happening within our community because of you! Together, we’ve accomplished a lot to help our neighbors in need. You have made an unbelievable impact within our Ballantyne community, monetarily, physically (with food), and most importantly, emotionally, with the support and love that you continuously give. At the bottom of this, you can read a thank you note from a mom whose family received a Thanksgiving bag.

The last 9 months have been challenging for each of us in different ways and changed each of us in unique ways, but I’m grateful for our positivity, togetherness, and community. Thank you for extending yourself and your family to make sure that our neighbors have food on their table!

I realize that this is a long email, but there is so much great news to share. Please read below about important news, thanks, current needs, and new year plans! Happy Holidays to you and your family!

Stay safe and healthy,

Heather

NEWS

• Ballantyne Families surpasses $100,000 in food support for our Neighbors!

  • Over the course of the last nine months, you have continued to give, helping Ballantyne families who are in need of food assistance. You have now given over $100,000 in grocery gift cards!! We have given 13 rounds of food assistance - serving 65 - 100 families for each round! Our community is amazingly generous and kind! Currently, 95 families in need have been identified by counselors, so we continue to need your help to get through the winter and this pandemic!

• We finally have our Non-Profit (501c3) status from the IRS!

  • This is a huge deal! We are now able to solicit help from corporations and anything that you have donated since July 16th can be tax-deductible!

  • If you or your company would like to give a year-end donation to Ballantyne Families Helping Neighbors In Need, please go to Venmo, PayPal, or write a check to Ballantyne Families Helping Neighbors in Need (email heathermcafee@mac.com for where to send checks).

  • A HUGE thank you to Liz Emmett and Tori Collins for doing the paperwork to make this happen! Also, a big thanks to Beth Wood with Beth Wood Law for reaching out and helping to expedite our paperwork with the IRS!

• We have a new Facebook page

  • We are in the process of transitioning from our original Facebook page to a new one to better support our needs. Please take a few moments to like and follow our new Facebook page, so that can continue to engage with you: https://www.facebook.com/BallantyneFamiliesHelpingNeighbors. Thanks to Janelle Clemmons for making this happen!

THANKS

• December Grocery Gift Cards

  • On December 4th, we distributed 90 grocery gift cards with resource pages to the counselors. Families received $100-$200 (depending on family size) in Harris Teeter or Walmart grocery gift cards. One of the counselors said that she gave a mom the gift card and the mom just cried because she really appreciated the help! Thank you for your continued support!!

    • Special thanks to Carrie Fenton and Heather Christman with helping with purchasing the gift cards

• December Holiday bags

  • On December 11th, 95 Holiday food bags were distributed to the 9 school counselors in the AK feeder pattern. The Ardrey Kell Student Council led the effort to assemble each bag containing food for a holiday meal, a note from someone in the community, a $30 grocery gift card, holiday napkins and a holiday note from a Community House Middle School National Junior Honor Society member.

    • Special thanks to:

      • Our volunteer drivers who brought the bags from AK to the other schools: Lisa Hunt, Brooke Christmas, Mini Kartha, Natalia Russo, Susan Medina, and Raja Chadalawada.

      • Katie Johnsen and Katelyn McAfee for writing "Happy Holidays" on all of the envelopes

• Thank you from a mom who received a Thanksgiving bag - (please see below note - it is definitely worth scrolling down to read!

  • This note was passed to us from one one the counselors.

• Thank You to those who help week after week:

  • To the Ballantyne Families School Champions who spread the Ballantyne Families information to our school communities - Kristin Barry (Ballantyne), Debora Pupo and Laura Sweeney (Elon Park), Kim Overcash (Endhaven), Sarah Dorsey (Hawk Ridge), Johanna Boozer, Sherry Gillespie, Rhonda Dorn (Polo Ridge), Maggie Webb (Rea Farms STEAM Academy), Debora Pupo and Kate Macrone (Community House), Stacey Rex and Karla Stovall (JM Robinson), and Michelle Hu and Karla Stovall (Ardrey Kell)

  • To Dana White for helping with the contact database

  • To the amazing counselors who spend a lot of extra time (that they don’t have) connecting us with families who are in need - Joanne Anderson (Ballantyne), Amber Brown (Elon Park), Erika Clarke (Endhaven), Mary Bleich (Hawk Ridge), Melissa Stevenson (Polo Ridge), Amber Heine (Rea Farms STEAM Academy), Valerie Johnson (Community House), Lisa Smith (JM Robinson), and Mary Sartwell (Ardrey Kell)

  • To a group of incredible people who are a part of the Ballantyne Families Helping Neighbors In Need board and help all the time: Liz Emmett, Tori Collins, Janelle Clemmons, and Valerie Johnson.

CURRENT NEEDS

• Food Drive at Community House Middle School - This Wednesday, 12/16 from 3:30 - 5 pm

  • Thanks in advance to the Community House Middle School's National Junior Honor Society and Valerie Johnson for making this drive happen!

  • Food will go to our roughly 95 families in need at the beginning of January since we will not be able to do our monthly gift cards.

    • Food needed:

      • Protein (canned chicken, canned tuna, or peanut butter)

      • Canned vegetables

      • Canned fruit

      • Canned soup

      • Box of pasta (and sauce) or rice

      • Breakfast (oatmeal or granola bars)

      • Box of fruit snacks, cracker packs, or trail mix

    • You are also welcome to donate via Venmo (bfhelpingbf) or Paypal (bfhelpingbf@gmail.com). Your money will go toward a $30 gift card to go with each bag and/or purchase food that is needed.

NEW YEAR PLANS

• In January, we will be giving out bags of food and a $30 gift card to each family that will be distributed during the first week of school. Thank you to the Ardrey Kell High School student clubs, Polo Ridge families, and Community House Middle School National Junior Honor Society for running food drives for the January support. We are still collecting funds for the $30 gift cards. Please consider helping the CHMS Food drive (Wed. Dec 16 from 3:30 - 5pm at Community House Middle School) and/or donating (Venmo - bfhelpingbf or PayPal - bfhelpingbf@gmail.com).

• Start the New Year off right by participating in our Ballantyne Families FIT21 Fundraiser! Complete 21 outdoor fitness activities (e.g. run/walk 21 miles, exercise for 21 days, etc.) during the month of January and raise funds for February food support through pledges from friends and family. Get the whole family involved in the healthy activities while generating support for our Ballantyne Neighbors in Need. Look for FIT21 program details later in December. Do you know any local businesses interested in some t-shirt publicity? We are still looking for FIT21 program sponsors at each level: Platinum = $1000, Gold = $500, and Silver = $250.

A note from a mom who received one of our Thanksgiving bags:

Your Thanksgiving donation was a blessing- physically, with the food/gift card, but also, very much so mentally.

The handcrafted card was SO INCREDIBLY thoughtful and was a total work of art that clearly took time to create- it was absolutely beautiful😍

I was blown away. I wish I could reach out to these kids, who obviously care so much and have put significant time into organizing this drive & creating something beautiful to pass on!

I will save this card forever.

Anyway, the card brought tears to my eyes.

We don't live in an inexpensive neighborhood, but we also don't own.

We've scrapped and saved to be here. We've never been 'rich', but have sacrificed pleasurable activities to have our children in the right school systems and safe neighborhoods.

We spend almost everything on housing and food.

The savings we had, have been depleted due to COVID., and my destroyed business.

We rarely eat out, don't go on vacations, don't buy extravagant things....

It's an incredible embarrassment to ask for help, because we've ALWAYS been the people who've given to others in need, however big or small based off of our finances at the time...but we've ALWAYS given.

Thanks for everything you do❤️

XXXXXXXXX

WOW! THANK YOU! THANKSGIVING BAGS!

On November 18th, the school counselors distributed 80+ Thanksgiving food bags and a $30 grocery gift cards to Ballantyne Families in need.

A HUGE thank you to the Ardrey Kell students who lead the charge, the AK administrators who helped to make it happen, the Community House National Junior Honor Society students who wrote notes/created pictures for each of the bags and to the community for being so VERY generous!!

During the distribution, one of the counselors said that she was putting a bag in one of the families' car and the mom cried. The mom said that she was so grateful for the help and one day - hopefully soon - she was going to make a donation to help others in our community!

Thank you! You are making a massive positive impact on our neighbors!!

We distributed our November gift cards through our incredible school counselors! With your generosity, we have helped 70+ CMS Ballantyne families in need and gave $9,500 in November grocery gift cards! You are amazing!

In March, we could have never dreamed that we would still be in a pandemic. Who knew that kids would still be out of school and that COVID would truly affect everyone in one way or another?

With time, we were hoping that the situation for most of the Ballantyne families that are in need would improve. For some, it has, but for many, things continue to be difficult (loss of income, loss of job, health challenges, etc.). And, we continue to help new families along the way.

You are truly making a difference in helping to make the food sponsorships a reality. Families are sharing their thanks with the counselors. For example, one family just said this week, “Thank you again for thinking of us. This helps so much – you don’t even know.” Thank you for providing our neighbors in need with food, love, support and hope!

How can you help?

• Please consider sponsoring a family for November and/or December. Please go to this signup: : tinyurl.com/ballantynefamilies-Nov-Dec for more information and to sign up by Nov. 2nd. November/December sponsorship will be just like September/October

• If you want to just donate, you can go directly to Venmo (bfhelpingbf) or PayPal (bfhelpingbf@gmail.com).

• Help spread the word about what we are doing.

Thanks for October Sponsorships

October grocery gift cards were distributed to the school counselors on Monday, October 5 and Tuesday, October 6. Families receiving the gift cards are so grateful!! Thank you to all of you who participated in making the grocery gift cards a reality. With your help, we gave over $11,000 worth of grocery gift cards! You truly are amazing!!

• Thank you to the incredible counselors who are the hands of our work: Joanne Anderson, Ballantyne; Amber Brown, Elon Park; Erika Clarke, Endhaven; Mary Bleich, Hawk Ridge; Melissa Stevenson, Polo Ridge; Amber Heine, Rea Farms; Valerie Johnson, Community House; Lisa Smith, JM Robinson and Mary Sartwell, Ardrey Kell.

• Thank you to the school champions who help spread the word: Ballantyne – Kristin Barry, Elon Park – Debora Pupo and Laura Sweeney, Endhaven – Kim Overcash, Hawk Ridge – Sarah Dorsey, Polo Ridge - Johanna Boozer, Sherry Gillespie, and Rhonda Dorn, Rea Farms – Maggie Webb, Community House – Debora Pupo and Kate Macrone, JM Robinson – Stacey Rex and Karla Stovall and Ardrey Kell – Michelle Hu, Karla Stovall and Kate Macrone.

• Thank you to our neighborhood champions: Janelle Clemmons, Marieta Stewart, Kim Overcash, Gail Houghton, Sarah Dorsey, Sonia Niederman, Lee Ann James, Karen DeSantis, Becky Roman, Audi Naftzger, Jason Geiger, Jodi Mecham, Brooke Christmas, Debbie Kirsch, Carrie Roberts, Courtney Cooper, Haven Fogarty, Heather Barker, Lisa Hunt, Maggie Webb, Teri Sauer, and Farah Daruvala

• Thanks to the following people who work behind the scenes: Valerie Johnsen, Liz Emmett, Tori Collins, Janelle Clemmons, Dana White, and Heather Christman

Updates

• On top of the monthly grocery gift cards, we are trying to provide a Thanksgiving bag of food and a Holiday bag of food that will distributed to families towards the end of November and December. Last year, we provided the families in need with Thanksgiving bags and it was a great success. We are trying to involve Ardrey Kell students in this endeavor, so please stay tuned.

• In June, we filed for our 501c3 (non-profit) status. Because of COVID, the IRS is only processing applications that were filed in April. So, unfortunately, we have to wait.

Thank you for your continued support. I am looking forward to seeing what a difference we will make in our community

Stay safe and healthy,

Heather

Thank You! The sponsorship sign up for September and October is now 100% full (just over $21,000 worth of gift cards)!!! Together, throughout this pandemic, we have now given over $80,000 to families in need in our community. You are amazing! I am so proud to be a part of this special place!

With your help, 79 Ballantyne CMS families, identified by our school counselors (including some staff members that work at our schools), received food assistance for September and October. Gift cards for September were distributed to the 9 school counselors for distribution to families. You have made and continue to make a huge difference in our community!!

Thank you to these people for all of their help!

• Our awesome counselors (Ballantyne Elementary – Joanne Anderson, Endhaven – Erika Clarke, Elon Park – Amber Brown, Hawk Ridge – Mary Bleich, Polo Ridge – Melissa Stevenson, Rea Farms – Amber Heine, Community House – Valerie Johnson, JM Robinson – Lisa Smith and Ardrey Kell – Mary Sartwell).

• Our school champions who help spread the word (Ballantyne Elementary – Kristin Barry, Endhaven – Kim Overcash, Elon Park – Debora Pupo and Laura Sweeney, Hawk Ridge – Sarah Dorsey, Polo Ridge - Ashley Prusiensky, Rea Farms – Maggie Webb, Community House (Debora Pupo and Kate Macrone), JM Robinson (Stacey Rex and Karla Stovall) and Ardrey Kell (Michelle Hu, Kate Macrone and Karla Stovall)

• A group that helps get things done - Tori Collins, Liz Emmett, Janelle Clemmons, Valerie Johnson, Sarah Dorsey, Meghan Rawlings, Heather Christman and Robert McAfee.

Together, we continue to do incredible things! Thank you for the continued support!

Heather

Ballantyne Families Helping Neighbors in Need

"Thank you just isn't enough! I was not expecting anywhere near what we received. This is such a blessing to help through summer. We're still so far in the whole with everything... this is such a relief to know groceries won't be a worry! Thank you, thank you, thank you to everyone that was a part of helping. “

“Thank you so much for the gift cards. It was way more then I expected that I just sat in the car and cried tears of joy. I am very grateful for yours and the community’s kindness. Keep doing amazing work.”

“Thank you very much for everything. I’m grateful for being a part of our school, thank God for putting you in my way. Please send my thanks to the teacher who brought me the gift card, thank you. Today, I received a lot of blessings, something very personal. Yesterday, I did not have money to buy food and with what I received, today I can. I still can not believe it, thanks.”

“Thank you so much. I almost cried. I will do something nice for all of us. Thanks again for everything. We love you.”

Above are all emails/texts from recipients of your summer donations

Awe-inspiring hope! That is what you embody! With everything that is going on in our community, our city, our nation, you have shown that together we can do amazing things to help one another!! It could have not been done by one, two or ten of us. Instead, over 550 people have worked together for a common purpose - to help our fellow neighbors! I am so proud of our community!

Our 7th round of giving (Sponsor a family for the summer) was on June 8th. We gave over $33,000 in Walmart and Harris Teeter gift cards to 65 CMS Ballantyne families in need!

On May 26, a lofty goal was put in front of you with a sign up genius to fill 130 half summer spots to sponsor families in need. Each slot represented a $125 - $250 donation. You filled the sign up in a week!! Individuals, families, neighborhoods, sports teams and corporations came together to make it happen! Due to a generous corporate donation, we were able to add 50% to the gift cards being provided. Along with the gift cards, families received a resource page, a bag of treats (included were notes from students from the Ardrey Kell Theatre program), and some also had hand written notes from sponsors! With the generosity of our community, each family of 3 and under received $375; a family of four, $450; a family of five , $570; and a family of 6 or more, $750!! We're praying that these summer gift cards will lighten the load of families and ease whatever summer brings.

Since the beginning of our journey on March 15th, we have raised over $60,000 to help our neighbors!! It is overwhelming how much we have given!

A huge thank you to you, the Ballantyne community! Your continued love, kindness, caring and generosity has been incredible!

Please go back and read the 4 notes at the top of this message. You have made a huge positive difference! Together, we have made an even bigger difference in our Ballantyne community than we would have individually.

Many thanks to:

· This round’s very generous corporate donations: SunCap Community Relief Fund ($10,000), Walmart ($2,500) and Pamlico Capital ($2,500).

· The CMS Ballantyne counselors who have been supporting the families in need throughout this entire process: Valerie Johnson, Amber Brown, Erika Clarke, Joanne Anderson, Melissa Stevenson, Lisa Smith, Mary Bleich and Mary Sartwell.

· Carrie Fenton for helping to orchestrate the gift card purchase and David Hall from Harris Teeter, who helped us get a bulk discount.

· Carol Bower and Tori Collins who helped orchestrate the Walmart donation and the purchase of the Walmart gift cards.

· Ardrey Kell’s Royal Theater Patrons, who, under the leadership of Karla Stovall and Kristin Heidkamp kindly donated the concessions from AK’s spring play, Sweeney Todd, since the play wasn’t able to be performed. Also, thanks to the students of this group who wrote a note of encouragement to go with each bag of treats!

· The many people who helped spread the word to their neighborhoods/communities. Click here for their names.

· Our mask/band delivery drivers – Maggie Webb, Heather/Jack Barker, Liz/Jack Emmett, Brooke/Aidan Christmas and Leen Jagers.

· The amazing behind the scenes people who continue to provide support: Heather Christman, Dana White, Janelle Clemons, Sarah Dorsey, Meghan Rawlings, Liz Emmett, Valerie Johnson, Carrie Fenton, Tori Collins, Katelyn McAfee and Robert McAfee.

What's Next? (as of June 9, 2020)

Our job is not done. There are more ways that we can serve our community. Since there is a need to be filled, we have started the process of becoming a 501c3 (Ballantyne Families Helping Neighbors In Need).

The school counselors know to reach out if there is a new family or a current family who needs help with food assistance over the summer. We still have roughly $4000 in our account.

We aren’t sure what the fall will bring, so we will have to see. But, we do know that we will help families in need in our area for Thanksgiving, if not before.

If you are wondering what you can do to help going forward, there will be a survey on our Facebook page in the next few weeks. Please fill out the survey and provide the following:

1. What you think has worked well in this process and what we can do better next time.

2. If you would like to volunteer to be a point of contact for any of the schools in our community.

3. Send creative ideas on how to engage with and help our community going forward.

Thank you again for everything that you have done and will do going forward! We have done amazing things so far! Can’t wait to see what more positive things we can do together!

-Heather

Facebook: Ballantyne Families Helping Neighbors in Need

Instagram: @Ballantynefamilies

It is truly incredible to be a part of the Ballantyne community! With your support, we have just completed our 6^th round of giving! WOW!! We gave $5200 worth of Harris Teeter gift cards as well as a resource page to 83 Ballantyne families who have been identified by the counselors of the 8 schools that are in Ardrey Kell’s feeder pattern.

We thank SunCap Community Relief Fund for their generous contribution. Without it, we wouldn’t have been able to complete this round of giving!

As of May 26th, we have given over $20,000 of Harris Teeter gift cards, over 1,000 grocery bags of food and over 180 masks to the families in our community! We have also sold over 200 masks, which equates to $2000 raised. We started providing food assistance on March 16^th and have given support every 2 weeks since then, which is amazing! Great job to all of you!

Also, thank you for supporting and continuing to support the Pagan family during this very difficult time for them. Your donations, cards, and signing up to make meals for the 3 boys has been wonderful! I know they appreciate the love that you have shown them. To read more, click here or go to our Facebook page, Ballantyne Families Helping Neighbors In Need.

You have made a huge difference! It takes a village to make all of this all come together, and we thank you for being a part of the village!!

Many thanks to:

· The incredible Ballantyne community who has come together to give so generously and to get involved to help others in Ballantyne

· SunCap Community Relief Fund for their very generous donation! We could not have done this round without your generosity!

· The CMS Ballantyne counselors who help connect us to the families in need – especially the following counselors who are our points of contact throughout this entire journey. We couldn't do this without you: Valerie Johnson, Amber Brown, Erika Clarke, Joanne Anderson, Melissa Stevenson, Lisa Smith, Mary Bleich and Mary Sartwell.

· Carrie Fenton for helping to orchestrate the gift card purchase, and David Hall from Harris Teeter, who helped us get a bulk discount.

· Our unbelievable sewing team – always willing to help and give guidance - Eva Tai, Nancy Bush, Leanne Royster, Joyce Highsmith, Natalie Sambamurty, Alicia and Brynn Fogerty and family, Donna Rudolph, Katherine Rice, Tori Collins, Marieta Stewart, Sonia Niederman and the AK Theatre Costume Crew (Rachel Rudolph, Ashley Bolick, Olivia Chiseck and Keeley and Michele Schmidt). And, to Katie Johnsen who cut fabric.

· Aastha Arora, a sophomore at Ardrey Kell High School, who is making hand crotched bands that connect to the elastic of the masks to preventing the elastic from digging into the skin.

· The great mask delivery drivers – Maggie Webb, Heather/Jack Barker, Liz/Jack Emmett, Brooke/Aidan Christmas and Leen Jagers.

· Katelyn McAfee, for helping with processing mask orders and supporting the website.

· The amazing behind the scenes people who continue to provide support: Heather Christman, Dana White, Janelle Clemons, Sarah Dorsey, Meghan Rawlings, Liz Emmett, Haven Fogarty, Cristina Bolling, Carrie Fenton, Tori Collins, and Robert McAfee.

Next Steps:

We really need your help for our next round!

For the summer, rather than donate every two weeks, we will be providing families with one large gift card. Summer is difficult for the families in need as their kids are not getting free and reduced breakfast and lunch at school. Now, with COVID-19 pandemic, the summer will be even more challenging. Please help by “Sponsoring a Family” for the summer. You can sign up for half of the summer, which equates to 5 weeks of support, or the whole summer. You can sponsor a family (or multiple) by yourself, with a friend, another family, co-workers or even a sports team could come together! Our community has done amazing things so far, and we look forward to helping over 80 Ballantyne families over this summer!! We can do this! Go to this link to find out more and sponsor a family: tinyurl.com/bf-sponsor

Current Needs:

All of us have to take action to help the families in need for the summer! Everything needs to be complete by Friday, June 5^th.

Here's how you can help:

• Sponsor a Ballantyne family in need for the summer:

• Donate via Venmo (bfhelpingbf) or Paypal (bfhelpingbf@gmail.com). We will bundle donations to sponsor families.

• Purchase masks and mask bands (tinyurl.com/Ballantynefamilies-bands).

• Share this website with friends and neighbors

• Post the “Sponsor a Family” SignUpGenius on social media (Facebook, Nextdoor, email your neighbors, etc.).

• Print out the attached flyer and deliver to your neighbors

Thank you again for being the most incredible village. This next round of “Sponsoring a family” in need for the summer will be the last round for the summer! Let’s end our last contribution just like we started – with energy, love and generosity! So proud of you! Can’t wait to see what we can do!

Heather

PS – Don’t forget about our Facebook page, Ballantyne Families Helping Neighbors in Need, and our Instagram, @ballantynefamilies

“Thank you for everything. Thank you to all the people who have been helping families like me during these awful times. God bless all of them. Thank you again for everything. God bless” – A recipient of your donations

The note above is just an example of how families are so grateful for what you are doing to help them!! The counselors are saying that the families are becoming increasingly thankful. It seems that our giving is becoming more crucial to get food on the table for many of our families. So, we are doing important work! You continue to make a huge difference with many families in our area!

Now:

We completed the 5^th round of giving!! For this round, we helped 85 families in need who were identified by the counselors of the 8 schools that feed into Ardrey Kell High School, including Ardrey Kell. Each family received a Harris Teeter gift card based on the amount of family members (3 family members and below = $50, 4 = $60, 5 = $75, 6+ = $100), a handmade “We are all in this together” card, and a resource page that includes a note from us and food and financial management services (please see picture). Now, each of these families has received 2 handmade cloth masks.

We have sold over 150 masks, raising over $1500! Thanks to all who purchased and will purchase in the future, and thanks to our talented, generous mask makers and mask delivery drivers who made it all happen!

For this round, we purchased roughly $5000 in Harris Teeter gift cards and Harris Teeter kindly donated an additional $500. Currently, we have only $100 in our account in community donations. However, we received a very generous donation from SunCap Community Relief Fund which will help us with our next round! A HUGE thanks to both Harris Teeter and SunCap Community Relief Fund, but we still need your help! Every bit – small or large - makes a difference!

Many thanks to:

• You – the unbelievable Ballantyne community who gives so generously and with so much love and concern.

• The CMS Ballantyne counselors who help connect us to the families in need – especially the following counselors who are our points of contact throughout this entire journey. We couldn't do this without you: Valerie Johnson, Amber Brown, Erika Clarke, Joanne Anderson, Melissa Stevenson, Lisa Smith, Mary Bleich and Mary Sartwell.

• Carrie Fenton for helping to orchestrate the gift card purchase and David Hall from Harris Teeter who helped us get a bulk discount and the donation.

• SunCap Community Relief Fund for their very generous donation!

• Robin McLaurin and her two girls for making handmade “We are all in this together” notes for each family in need.

• The incredible sewing team - Eva Tai, Nancy Bush, Leanne Royster, Joyce Highsmith, Natalie Sambamurty, Alicia Fogerty and family, Donna Rudolph, Katherine Rice, Tori Collins, Marieta Stewart, Sonia Niederman and the AK Theatre Costume Crew (Rachel Rudolph, Ashley Bolick, Olivia Chiseck and Keeley and Michele Schmidt). And, to Aaron Smith who gave fabric and Kris McCabe and Katie Johnsen who cut fabric.

• The great mask delivery drivers – Maggie Webb, Heather/Jack Barker, Liz/Jack Emmett, and Brooke/Aidan Christmas.

• Katelyn McAfee for helping with processing mask orders and supporting the website.

• The amazing behind the scenes people who continue to provide support: Heather Christman, Dana White, Janelle Clemons, Sarah Dorsey, Meghan Rawlings, Liz Emmett, Haven Fogarty and Cristina Bolling.

Current needs:

• Please encourage your friends to visit this website (tinyurl.com/ballantynefamilies) to purchase masks (visit the "Mask Fundraiser" tab)

• Please donate to Venmo (bfhelpingbf) or PayPal (bfhelpingbf@gmail.com) or through the links listed above

• Over the weekend, I reached out to all of you about the tragic situation with the Pagan family, one of our Ballantyne families. You can go to the "Family in Need" tab to see the letter. Thank you to all those who have already supported this family during this very difficult time. Even if you don’t know the family, I encourage you to write a note of encouragement to them to show your support. Information as to where to send your note is in the link above.

These times continue to be challenging to everyone on different levels and fatigue can easily set it. Thank you for consistently caring about our neighbors in need. You continue to inspire me by your willingness to make a difference! Thank you from the bottom of my heart!

Stay safe and healthy,

Heather

PS - Feel free to visit our "Get in Touch" tab for more frequent updates

The 4^th round of giving is complete! You continue to amaze me!! You have helped over 80 Ballantyne families get food on their tables and they are grateful. What a positive difference you continue to make!!

Now:

Between April 27th and 28th, we gave support to over 80 Ballantyne families, roughly $5,300 in Harris Teeter gift cards, via the 8 CMS counselors. Each family will receive a Harris Teeter grocery gift card, a handmade cloth mask and a resource page (see picture). The amount each family receives is determined by the amount of family member. The denominations were the same as round 3 ($50 for 3 or less family members, $60 for 4 family members, $75 for 5 family members and $100 for 6+ family members.

What we have done so far:

To date, we have raised almost $15,000 in monetary funds with over 250 families donating!! We have given out almost $11,000 in Harris Teeter gift cards, over 150 handmade cloth masks, 1,000 grocery bags full of food and most importantly, love/support to our neighbors in need! AMAZING!!

Next steps:

Going forward, our next round of giving will be Monday, May 11^th. Currently, we have $1700 in our account (FYI – we spent roughly $2400 in purchasing food for the first two rounds). Based on round 3 and 4, we typically spend about $5300 in each round. So, we need to raise at least $3600 for the fifth round.

To help with fund raising, our incredible Ballantyne mask sewers have decided to sell handmade masks to raise money for our efforts. Masks are $10 each and have varying styles and fabrics. Masks will be hand delivered to mailboxes (if you would like to be a deliverer, please send a message to heathermcafee@mac.com). To purchase a mask and help us raise money towards our goal, go to the “Mask Fundraiser" tab.

Messages from the school counselors:

· The families are very appreciative of the kindness from the community, and they say they feel blessed. Thanks for all you do!

· I wanted to let you know that I heard back from a couple of families that were so appreciative of the gift cards. They both said the gift cards have been vital to keeping their families fed. One mom was also especially appreciative of the mask, as she is an essential worker. I cannot thank the Ballantyne community enough for their generosity.

· A mom that I spoke to was so grateful and said that her husband had a pre-existing condition which put him at-risk for COVID-19. He is unable to work. She said that this donation is greatly appreciated.

Many thanks to:

· The Ballantyne community for their unwavering support and generosity for the families in need in our area!

· Josie Smith, an incredible 8^th grader at Community House Middle School, who ran/walked a marathon on April 14^th and raised $400 for our cause!! To see the article that was written about her, go to http://specne.ws/3qR6Lb

· The incredible school counselors who are our bridges to the family in need. Without their dedication to the families in need, we would not be able to help!

· The unbelievable mask makers who have VERY generously given their time, talent and resources to help the families in need and keep all of us safe: Eva Tai, Nancy Bush, Leanne Moyster, Joyce Highsmith, Natalie Sambamurty, Alicia Fogerty and family, Donna Rudolph and family, Tori Collins, AK Royal Theatre Patron group (thanks for a donation as well), Mary and Kate McNamara, and Marieta Stewart.

· Carrie Fenton for helping to orchestra the gift card purchase and David Hall from Harris Teeter who helped us get a bulk discount.

· Katelyn McAfee for helping with the website and setting up mask sales.

· The amazing behind the scenes people who continue to provide support: Dana White, Janelle Clemons, Sarah Dorsey and Meghan Rawlings.

Current Needs:

· We need to raise at least $3600 for the next round of giving on May 11^th. Please spread the word and donate via Paypal (bfhelpingbf@gmails.com) or Venmo (bfhelpingbf). Small or large – every bit makes a difference! If you donate via Venmo, please go to https://tinyurl.com/ballantynefamilies and click on the “Want to receive email updates? Click here” so that we can continue to communicate with you. There is not way to collect emails from Venmo.

· Please spread the word about our mask fundraiser:

o “To raise money to help Ballantyne families in need, handmade cotton masks are being sold for $10 each. Go to the “Mask Fundraiser” tab on this website. Masks are being made by Ballantyne families and vary in styles and fabric. 100% of your donation will benefit the Ballantyne families who have been identified by one of the 8 CMS school counselors that are a part of Ardrey Kell High School’s feeder pattern. Thanks in advance for your support!”

· Someone who is well versed in creating a 501c3 and is willing to help our group become a non-profit organization.

These are challenging times for all of us. With the decision to not resume physical school decided and North Carolina starting phase 1 of opening the state on May 8^th, there are many emotions that are running through all of us!

You have and will continue to make a massive positive difference in many families’ lives and at the same time, and the hope is that you will feel the positive difference in yourselves as well.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart for all that you have done and continue to do. So proud to be a part of this community!

Heather

I’m in awe of you! It is amazing what a community can do when they work together!

We just completed our 3^rd round of giving to our Ballantyne families in need (This one came a little sooner because of spring break). We helped 80 families who were identified by the school counselors of the schools that are in Ardrey Kell’s feeder pattern*.

On April 8th and 9th, the school counselors received packets for each of the 80 Ballantyne families. Each packet contains a Harris Teeter gift card, a handmade cloth mask, a note from all of us and resources (see picture). The domination of each gift card was determined by the amount of family members in each family. Here is what was given:

• $50 for families with 3 or less members

• $60 for families of 4

• $75 for families of 5

• $100 for families of 6 and above

It's amazing that we can provide not only money for groceries, but masks as well! These families have felt your love and care for them!! The counselors have told me that the families are extremely grateful for your help! You are making a HUGE difference - thank you!!!

Administrative and Thanks

• Before the round’s gift card purchase, we had $8333.47 in our account. The gift card purchase totaled $5301.06 and was purchased through Harris Teeter corporate so we could receive a bulk purchase discount. (We currently have $3032.41 left.) A big thanks to David Hall with Harris Teeter for making it happen and to Carrie Fenton for orchestrating!!

• The masks were added at the last minute and wow did our community come through!! The masks are not only protecting the health of the families in need, but the health of all our families! A huge thanks to the following sewers – Eva Tai, Nancy Bush, the Fogerty family and the Fenton family!! They spent hours making the masks and they are beautiful! A talented group!

• Continued thanks to all of the school counselors who are connecting to the families in need and to people who are helping behind the scenes – Dana White, Janelle Clemmons, Meghan Rawlings, Sarah Dorsey, Alicia Fogerty and Heather Christman.

Current Needs

• We need more monetary donations for the next rounds of giving. (Hopefully, continuing at 2 weeks apart from each other.) The assumption is that we will need to spend the same amount or more for the 4^th round of giving. Which means that we need at least $2,268.66 for the 4^th round and hoping to do more rounds after that as needed. Please spread the word around our community about this need. Maybe your place of worship might be interested in helping? Could you ask? To donate go to: the home page of https://tinyurl.com/ballantynefamilies to find the Venmo and Paypal links. Every bit, small and large, makes a difference!

• We need supplies for the handmade cloth masks. We will give out more handmade cloth masks with each round of giving so more need to be made. Some of our sewers are running out of supplies. Here is what we need: 100% cotton fabric and 1/8 or ¼ inch elastic. If possible, it would be great for the fabric to be cut in 6x9 inch rectangles and for elastic to be cut in 7 inch sections. If you would like to make masks and/or have materials, please reach out to heathermcafee@mac.com.

Thanks again for your continued support during a challenging time for everyone. There is a lot going on and it’s a lot to handle. Know that your efforts, big or small, are really helping the families that have been identified by the counselors! Not only are we giving them some resources; but also and maybe more importantly, we are letting them know that their community is rallying around them with support and love!

Lastly, happy holidays to you and your family and hoping that this note finds you and your family safe and healthy!

Stay safe and healthy,

Heather

*(Schools being supported by these efforts are: Ballantyne, Elon Park, Endhaven, Hawk Ridge and Polo Ridge Elementary Schools, Community House and JM Robinson Middle Schools and Ardrey Kell High School.)

We did it!! Thank you for continuing to be a part of our efforts to help families in need in our community! Your food and monetary donations and time is making a difference!! Yesterday’s food distribution was a HUGE success!

With the help of your efforts, 650 full grocery bags and over 1500 drinks are now out in the community with families who need it!!! 100 physical cars came through the food drive yesterday and 25 - 50 more families were helped by people bringing food to them!

125 - 150 families in our community are now able to breather a little easier knowing that their families have food during this difficult time. You have made such a big positive impact!!

Over 25 community volunteers came out to help sort and bag the food that had been collected at 12 homes throughout Ballantyne. And, 18 Ballantyne and 2 central CMS staff arrived happy and ready to help distribute food to families in need. Amazing what we can do when we work together!!

The amount of food was unbelievable! Not only did we have lots of donations but they were good donations. Each bag was filled with a protein, beans, lots of canned vegetables, canned fruit, soup, pasta/rice, ramen, a breakfast item (cereal, granola, oatmeal), and a snack.

So grateful for all your help!! A special thanks are in order to the following people and establishments (please forgive me if I accidentally leave someone out):

• Denise Wilcox and the entire team at South Meck Presbyterian Church for opening up their hearts, doors and grounds to be the collection and location of yesterday’s food drive.

• Valerie Johnson (Community House counselor) for being a sounding board, supporter and connector throughout all of our endeavors.

• The collection site team - these people organized collections: Jodi Mecham, Amanda Frisard, Saima Khan, Deanna Lee (Forest Hill Ballantyne Church), Courtney Cooper, Mini Kartha, Marilia Candeloro, Audi Naftzer, Megan Pelletier, Kelly Ludwig, Sarah Dorsey and Maggie Webb

• Community volunteers who helped to sort and bag food yesterday - Amanda and Ken Frisard, Anna and Ernie Marcello, Angela and Scott Kennedy, Stacy Picklesimer, Mariah Butler, Carol Bower, Hasmig Holder, Mini Kartha, Denise Wilcox, Susan Hicks, Diane Giannola, Robert McAfee, Maggie Webb, Janelle Clemons, Audi Naftzer, Patty Doherty, Sonia Niederman, Crystal and Mike Craft, Carolyn Dennie

• CMS staff who helped distribute food items: Anne Marie Donahue (Hawk Ridge), Jane Russell (Hawk Ridge), Hilary Northup (Hawk Ridge), Gina Crocker (Hawk Ridge), Carrie Stoehr (Hawk Ridge), Samantha Biggin (Hawk Ridge), Amber Brown (Elon Park), Michelle Therrier (Hawk Ridge), Melissa Stevenson (Polo Ridge), Jennifer Stephens (Elon Park), Keylan Cueto (AK), Valerie Johnsen (Community House), Hasmig Holder (Community House), Madeline Cueto (CMS Southwest Learning Center Community Partnership and Family Engagement) and Fred Gilbert (CMS School Nutrition Supervisor)

• Madeline Cueto (CMS Southwest Learning Center Community Partnership and Family Engagement) who connected with Promising Pages so that we could give away brand new grade appropriate books to families in need.

• AK concessions for donating products that would expire by the end of the school year (Amy Gramalia)

• AK student government and the student body for all their food donations! Unbelievable amount fo great food!

• Our school counselor contacts: Mary Sartwell (AK), Joanne Anderson (Ballantyne), Valerie Johnson (Community House), Amber Brown (Elon Park), Erika Clarke (Endhaven), Mary Bleich (Hawk Ridge), Melissa Stevenson (Polo Ridge), Gigi Jenouri (JM Robinson)

• Ballantyne CMS principals for getting the word out to all of their families

• Ballantyne school PTO/PTSO’s for sending out messages and posting on various social media platforms

• People who have worked behind the scenes to help make this happen: Janelle Clemons, Sarah Dorsey, Dana White, Carrie Fenton, Meghan Rawlings

• Trader Joes on Rea Road for donating 600 brown paper bags to help distribute food

• Harris Teeter on Ballanytne Commons for donating 600 brown paper bags to help distribute food

Wow! Many people are really stepping up and getting involved. I am so thankful!! Remember, we are in this together so no matter how much you have gotten involved - big or small - you are making a difference!

Our journey in helping isn’t over. As many have said, this is a marathon and not a sprint. We will have to gear up for the next several rounds of grocery gift cards. We will continue to work with the school counselors to identify the families that need help and give out the grocery gift cards through the counselors.

How you can help:

• Please continue to spread the word to friends and your community so more people can get involved. You can share this website and ask friends to use the button above labeled "Want to receive email updates? Click here!"

• Continue to donate monetarily utilizing the links below and/or thinking about ways that local companies/organizations that have not been impacted by the current situation could contribute.

• Keep brainstorming on creative ideas on how we can positively impact our neighbors in need.

Once again, thank you from the bottom of my heart for the love, thoughtfulness, caring and hard work that you have put into helping our community!!

You are amazing!

Stay safe and healthy,

Heather

Wow!! Within 24 hours, we were able to raise almost $12,000 in donations (roughly $4000 in monetary donations) along with countless amounts of food and get the food in the hands of the families who needed it. What an amazing outpouring of generosity and love from our community!! It takes a village and you are an amazing village! I am truly in awe! I am so proud to be in this community! I thought the Ballantyne Thanksgiving project was incredible, and now this.

Today, around 350 grocery bags of food were given out at Community House Middle School! We served about 100 families. Each family was able to get a full grocery bag for every person in their family. They were also given the opportunity to “shop” for the food that they wanted. I hear that the families were very appreciative! Please see pictures shown of CHMS’s cafeteria before and after along with the messaging on each bag.

Also, a HUGE shout out to CHMS staff for donating, sorting and aiding to make this happen!!

Going forward…..

We do not know if we will be allowed to go back in the schools in the next few weeks. As a result, we moved the little amount of food that we had left to South Meck Presbyterian Church. They will allow us to hold food there and have another food drive from their location.

We don’t know what will happen in the next few weeks, but I assume that we will need to do at least another food drive - maybe more. Next time, we will focus on some dinner items as well (e.g. canned vegetables, rice, canned meat).

We will continue to collect food at the various homes around Ballantyne. We will update the list of needed food items on this website in the next day or two. We will use the collected food and food that is purchased with the money that has been collected for the next food dispersion (only $900 has been used so far).

At the next food dispersion, volunteers will pre-make bags with assorted food. We will have families in need drive through the circular driveway at South Meck Presbyterian and they will be handed food. This way, people will have as little contact with each other as possible. The date is TBD. We will just have to see how things go. Please go to this website for updates.

These are challenging times for all of us, but thank you for going out of your way to make things a lot less stressful for 100 families in our area. You have made such a positive impact on these families and I am grateful!!

As I said before, it takes a village. Thanks for being a part of the amazing, positive, generous, caring village! Together, we can do amazing things! Can’t wait to do more!

Stay healthy and safe,

Heather