Donate a computer

As we mentioned in our last newsletter, Good Friends Charlotte has been collaborating with Charlotte Family Housing (CFH)  and Goodwill to create a new program where we buy discounted refurbished laptops or tablets for those families who have met their goals and are now in a stable home environment.

If you are interested in donating your used computer please refer to this link - http://www.goodwillsp.org/donate/computers/how-to-donate-a-computer/ to donate to Goodwill.  Or here is a list of donation sites...

Zip	Nearest Drop Off Location/Store
28207	Randolph Road Attended Donation Center 2901 Randolph Road, Charlotte, NC 28205
28211	Rama Road Attended Donation Center 1805 Rama Road, Charlotte, NC 28212
28226	Pineville Store 10118 Johnston Road Charlotte, NC 28210
28209	Randolph Road Attended Donation Center 2901 Randolph Road, Charlotte, NC 28205
28210	South Blvd Store 6607 South Blvd Charlotte, NC 28217
Davidson 28036	Cornelius Store 19710 Kunkleman Drive Charlotte, NC 28031
Union County 28110	Monroe Store 4109 West Highway 74 Monroe, NC 28110

The Power of Partnering

Everywhere you look, people have electronics in hand. The majority of the school work children perform is now on computers. Dewey Decimal System? Paper dictionary...why bother when you can google it? That is fine if the discretionary income is there. But, where does that leave the disadvantaged and families struggling to make ends meet? It is an academic inequality that will have to be addressed by people more powerful than us. Until then, Good Friends is here to help those in need.

Good Friends Charlotte is collaborating with Charlotte Family Housing (CFH) to create a new program where we buy discounted new laptops or tablets for those families who have met their CFH goals and are now in a stable home environment. We will also provide a one year subscription to Microsoft Office. This enables the parents and children to finish their assignments at home, as well as learn about the cyber world. There is a chance we might be able to pay for internet services for the first six months as well. Those details are still being negotiated. Good Friends plans to purchase between 35-40 laptops and tablets before year end.

Also, we are working on a promising technology collaboration with Goodwill, more specifically, their electronic store called The Grid. They take old computers, wipe them clean and refurbish them for resale. Our plan is to buy used computers for families who are in the Goodwill employment or educational programs. These computers come preloaded with Microsoft Office, which is another added benefit to the families. If you are interested in donating your used computer please refer to this link - http://www.goodwillsp.org/donate/computers/how-to-donate-a-computer/

We are making big strides in Charlotte thanks for these team efforts. Thanks for believing in the power of Good Friends!

~ Thank you from Good Friends of Charlotte

Quiet Good and Good Friends

Former lunch speaker and a Good Friend, Kathy Izard and her daughter have started a website to celebrate kind words and creative ideas that infuse life with meaning.  They started quietgood.org to share those stories and connect people.  We are honored that they have chosen to highlight the story of Good Friends.  Click the link to find out more...

http://www.quietgood.org/heros/3

Who We Serve...part 1.

Recently, Good Friends was able to make a difference in the life of a family in our community by providing the additional funds to help the family buy a lift system for their car.

The father was diagnosed with Multiple Sclerosis and has limited mobility. They had raised some funds on their own through their church and neighbors, but needed help with the remainder to make the final purchase. 

Good Friends was able to help fill that final gap in funds. As their minister said, “combined with what the church and other individuals are doing, it will help see the family through an extraordinarily stressful time with so many unanticipated expenses.” 

Truly that is the essence of what Good Friends is...

Who We Are...

Good Friends is a non-denominational, diverse group of women of women representing different cultural, ethnic and religious backgrounds. Good Friends is a non-profit organization of women committed to raising monies in order to provide financial assistance to needy and disadvantaged individuals in Mecklenburg County, NC. We come together once a year, to open our hearts, enjoy the camaraderie, and share the joy of giving to those in need.

2014 Board Members & Executive Committee

Erin Allen

Judy Allison

Joanne Beam

Marilynn Bowler

Janet Bradshaw

Robin Branstrom

Catherine Browning

Yvonne Evans

Nancy Falls

Sherrard Georgius

Cindy Goldsmith

Claudia Heath

Mandy Houser

Robbie Howell

Courtney Hyder

Jane Lockwood

Anne McPhail

Sonja Nichols

Karen Owensby

Mary Claudia Pilon

Ginny Shaw

Cary Sherck

Jenks Trotter

Whitni Wertz

*Velva Woollen

*President

2014 Good Friends Charlotte Luncheon

Fall is in full swing and our annual luncheon is right around the corner. Courtney Hyder and her team have been hard at work making plans for a fantastic luncheon this year. Our Good Friends luncheon has become a wonderful tradition of women gathering together to remember and celebrate the true meaning of the holidays..

Save the Date...28th Annual Luncheon

Thursday, December 11th, 2014

11:30 am coffee 

12 Noon until 1 pm lunch & program 

Charlotte Convention Center

Tables of 8  and Single Reservations can be made HERE.

This year's luncheon will feature three speakers...

Ann Caulkins-Charlotte Observer

Nikki Fleming- Community Volunteer

Molly Barker-Founder of Girls on The Run

Table Captains:

Would you want to be a table captain?

All you need to do is gather eight ladies to organize your table.

Please email Sherrard Georgius @  jrshg@mac.com  to become a table captain.

Deadline for signing up to be a table captain is 12/1/14.

Parking:

Discounted parking will be available at the NASCAR Hall of Fame, Westin and Charlotte Convention Center.

Take the Lynx light rail to the Convention Center Stop.

Attendees may also catch a shuttle from Myers Park Presbyterian Church (reservations required).

Membership:

Be sure not to forget to renew your membership for 2014.  Membership fees cover the cost of lunch and also allows us to give back throughout the year.

Can’t remember? Click here to see our full list of over 800 current members.

Simply click the link below to join. It’s just that easy!

Volunteer:

Our luncheon chair needs volunteers and would love to have many helping hands, smiling faces, and positive energy to help the day of the luncheon! If you'd like to help us, please just click here to send us an email. Be sure to put :I Want To Volunteer" in the subject line.

Pecan Sale:

GO NUTS For Good Friends!!!!

4th Annual Good Friends Pecan Sale

Make your lists - check them twice.

Be a Good Friend to your neighbors, teachers, family and friends!

Plain, Butter Roasted and Salted, Praline and Chocolate

$16.00 each sold in clear acrylic containers

Sale ends November 20th

Click here to order

Pick Up Date: Saturday, December 6th, Cotswold Location.

The Good Friends Office has changed. The new contact information for the Management Office is:

1307 West Morehead Street, Suite 207

Kay@GoodFriendsCharlotte.org

Kay Chelena

The Management Office

Charlotte, NC 28203

(704) 523-1222

To join or renew your membership, click here. 

To donate now, click here.