Good Friends Charlotte Celebrates 35th Year of Change with “Gather and Give” Event

Women’s Organization Announces Combination Event on December 9

Charlotte, N.C. – July 12, 2021 – Good Friends Charlotte, the inspiring 35-year-standing women’s nonprofit organization, has announced the date of its annual end-of-year giving event, an in-person and virtual luncheon called “Gather & Give,” on Thursday, December 9. Attendance is free, with the opportunity to make a financial contribution. More info and registration link to come. 

2020 posed interesting challenges, and Good Friends was prompted to make their large-scale, in-person event virtual. Last year’s “Gather & Give” was very successful and raised more than $650,000 from the community and business partners -- providing crucial funds toward important causes tied to food insecurity, infant safety, safe shelter, local youth education, and beyond during the pandemic year. 

“We’ve continued to grow and evolve this organization for 35 years. This year we want to gather more Good Friends and give more, because if there’s anything we learned over the past year, it’s that change is inevitable and Good Friends’ nimbleness as an organization gave us the ability to serve many changing needs during the pandemic,” said Marinn Bengel, this year’s Event Chair. “We think you see change everywhere you look, whether it’s a penny on the ground or change in your heart; we are inviting everyone to join us to make our community a place where all thrive.”

This year, Good Friends will bring its event back to the Charlotte Convention Center with a simultaneous virtual event so everyone who wants to participate can do so comfortably. The event will feature changemaking inspirational guest speakers and attendees will learn how they can help Good Friends continue to make a significant impact.

“From our very first luncheon, we could not be more inspired with how our community has continued to support our neighbors in need,” said Anne McPhail, Board President of Good Friends Charlotte.” We are proud to see how much we’ve grown in the last 35 years, and how much we can continue to make a difference in the Charlotte community.”

To learn more about Good Friends and this year’s event, as well as how to become a member, visit GoodFriendsCharlotte.org.

About Good Friends

Good Friends is a women’s non-profit organization supporting local individuals and families with financial resources to improve lives and inspire hope. Launched by four good friends including Catherine Browning, Alice Folger, Sally Saussy, and Patty Norman – Good Friends now boasts 970 active members. Since 1987, Good Friends has grown to become a “go-to” organization for individuals and families in crisis. The group serves as a bridge to stability as it focuses on finding the ways that other agencies are not able to serve and stepping into those gaps one small gift at a time to make a larger difference; funds raised are given back to community members as grants that keep them from falling into financial distress, including support with utilities, food security, rent and other necessary bills. The organization has raised more than $5.6 million dollars for the Charlotte community through its annual holiday luncheon. Visit GoodFriendsCharlotte.org to learn more.

FOR MORE INFORMATION CONTACT:

Corri Smith, 704.344.5818, corri@blackwednesday.co