I have to admit, before last night, I was not part of the Tonic fan club.  I think it is because I have these nightmares of hearing songs like, “If You Could Only See”, over and over and over again in high school – Call it teen angst or living in a small town in the Midwest where what is played on the radio is THE music… period. Truthfully, the allure of seeing friends and people I hadn’t seen in 4 years was a bigger draw for me than the actual concert.

For those of you that have no idea what I am taking about or didn’t know that Tonic was in Charlotte last night… Shame on you!  Every Friday, through June 17^th, Friday LIVE! At the NC Music Factory is happening for your listening and viewing pleasure.  $5 gets you admission and access to all of the NC Music Factory venues and a concert ticket. (Side Note:  Keep reading and find out how you can wave those 5 smackers via your pals at 704events.com!)  Grab some extra cash for some drinks and food and you have yourself a fantastic evening that will make your wallet, purse, handbag or pockets happy.

Anyway, back to Tonic, I have been to literally hundreds of concerts in my life… From hardcore rap shows, jazz, death metal, country (you get the picture), and what I notice is that the vast majority of performers do their job – They perform the songs that they love, the fans love and call it a day and leave with a our paychecks in their pockets. Am I angry about it?  Nah, that is the business and the industry but what I loved about Tonic is that their true love for their fans and their craft.

The boys from Tonic came out with high-energy and exuded this love for what they do.  They had fun together on stage; they interacted with the crowd and they put on a truly exciting and engaging performance. Seeing their on stage aesthetics really turned my distain for them into a really healthy respect and yes, I did get excited when I heard ‘If You Could Only See’…

Your chances are limited but there are shots for you to enjoy more nights like last night this season!  Next Friday, June 10^th, Vertical Horizon is performing and for the finale on June 17^th, Ed Kowalczyk of Live.  The NC Music Factory has been graciously giving us tickets to give out to our fans and that train is not ending!  Stay tuned to us to find out how you get yours!  Specifically, follow our social media accounts on Twitter and Facebook.

Want to see some video’s from last night – Check out the 704events.com YouTube channel!

Need more information about Friday LIVE! at the NC Music Factory?  Follow this event listing on 704events.com, which is updated weekly.

Remember, the NC Music Factory has FREE parking and truly has a venue for everyone AND don’t forget, in a few short days, the Comedy Zone is opening!

Wondering what stop #1 was and what the Non-Profit Tour is?  Read our past blogs:

Kim and Stacey’s 2011 Non-Profit Tour (to inspire YOU!)

704events.com Non-Profit Tour – Stop #1: Humane Society of Charlotte

Stacey’s Take:

Disclaimer:  I am a volunteer coordinator at Urban Ministry Center.  I had to put it on our schedule because I am in love with my job and the Urban Ministry Center.

Another disclaimer:  In keeping with our monthly volunteering, we did visit UMC at the end of April.  My apologies that we’re just posting in May.

Before working at UMC (Urban Ministry Center), I admittedly had little awareness of the homeless population in Charlotte.  I worked at another non-profit, I dropped off used clothes and household goods at Goodwill; all in all, I thought I was doing pretty good helping out the less fortunate.  But most Saturday mornings would find me on a 4 mile run heading into Uptown via S. Tryon.  And on those mornings, there would be folks sleeping on the benches and hanging out at the covered bus stops and I would completely ignore them.  It gets worse when I admit that if you walked out of Starbucks or were a fellow runner, I would always smile and say hi.

Fast-forward a year, and now it’s safe to say that I say hello to a lot of people when I run Uptown.  It’s also safe to say that more than a job, my year at UMC has been a transformative experience.  This is a life lesson in what it means to have dignity and respect for another human being, no matter their class status or personal history.  It is also an open door to view another world, one of poverty and of struggle, and quite frankly, one that many linger not far from in this age of economic uncertainty.

(Note:  Because we are a ministry, we refer to our clients as our neighbors.  Love thy neighbor as thyself is how we operate.)

UMC is considered an open door for the homeless population – we provide basic services for our neighbors including lunch, mail, laundry and showers to welcome everyone in hopes of building relationships.  For many, we are a place where an invisible population will be acknowledged, where folks who are looked down upon elsewhere will receive eye contact and a smile.  And once we have trust and once we have these relationships, we can start working with our neighbors to help them towards self-sufficiency.  Our website says it best:  “They [volunteers] serve lunch, provide lemonade or tea, manage our weekday services, support the Center with donations, sing with the choir, dig in the garden, advocate for homelessness issues.  Here you may listen to personal stories, give your undivided attention to someone, show respect to those who are often ignored or shunned.  The work at Urban Ministry Center brings change in people’s lives – in the lives of neighbors, in the lives of volunteers.”

Per our mission for the 704 Year To Volunteer! we want to make sure that whichever volunteer experience you choose is the right opportunity for you.  So here are some things that you should know about volunteering at UMC:

• ATTEND THE ORIENTATION!  Sign up here for our next set of orientations.  There is a lot of information to share about UMC and we want everyone willing to serve to be aware of our mission here in the Queen City.
• Get ready for a long training process – It may seem that after orientation, we throw you into the mix pretty quickly.  Truth be told, IF we were to sit down and share with you every bit of information that goes into the running of UMC and the many agencies we partner with, you would have an Associate’s degrees by the time we were done.  Staff keeps an open door to answer any questions and thankfully we have dozens of seasoned volunteers there to help as well.
• Be ready to commit – Please take into account your work/family/social commitments before deciding if UMC is the place for you.  As stated above, the training process is a long one but more importantly, our neighbours need consistency in staff and volunteers.  By being there on a regular basis, you can build trust and build relationships.
• Don’t expect to work the soup kitchen – it’s our rock start volunteer job, the list is long.  It’s our equivalent to walking the dogs at the Humane Society.  Sorry.
• Have a thick skin – Patience is a virtue and it’s certainly one that I’ve developed more of over the past year.  This is not always the most polite place to be and people here may get upset over what you consider minor things.  It’s important to remember the urgency from which our neighbours are coming and to be a calm voice for them to hear.
• We consider listening to be a volunteer experience – Don’t be surprised if in wanting to bring a group to the property if we ask you to join us in a Faces of Homelessness panel.  We consider being with our neighbours and learning to put a face on homelessness to be a volunteer activity.  While this is more of a “being” experience as opposed to “doing” activity it benefits us enormously.  Now, more than ever, we need to educate the public on our mission and ask that they join us in advocating for the homeless.

Can’t volunteer but would still like to help? Your monetary or in-kind donation will help us make an impact at Urban Ministry Center.  Thank You!

Kim’s Take

I think that our culture has become extremely spoiled; we take things for granted, are motivated by material things and often, have lack of compassion for others. It is disheartening and frustrating, not to mention, petty.

I am sure this morning many people took a lot of things for granted such as having the ability to wake up in a bed with clean sheets, being able to turn on the lights, to take a shower, to brew coffee or tea, to be in a temperature controlled room, and have clean clothes to change into. What if that was all gone?

In the month of April, Stacey and I volunteered at the Urban Ministry Center off of College Street in Uptown. Well, I volunteered; Stacey is their employed volunteer coordinator.

The Urban Ministry Center is a non-profit organization that helps Charlotte’s neighbors (homeless) accomplish the daily tasks that we take for granted – Think taking a shower, using the phone, being served a mid-day meal, getting medical treatment, getting counseling and having a place to receive mail. Don’t be mistaken; though the future plans are to incorporate a shelter division, it is not currently a shelter and does not provide lodging.

To start my morning of volunteering, I was assigned mail duty. Now, you would think of mail as a strange service to offer but giving our neighbors a chance to have a mailing address gives them an opportunity to get their life on track – From being able to receive an ID card, to having an address to find employment, and having a place where their family can communicate with them.

I did have a partner for some time of my mail duty; a young, college guy named, Owen. Owen is a super sweet, friendly and kind guy who told me that he had taken a year off from Davidson College to decompress. He worked at restaurant but quit after some time. His father told him that if he volunteered full-time, he would provide him with his necessities (shout out to the awesomeness of his dad!), which landed Owen at the Urban Ministry where he will remain until August when he returns to school.

What I was most surprised about was that many neighbors were optimistic and friendly – I know if I was in their shoes, I would feel pretty defeated. Attitude is everything and I feel as though the people and camaraderie behind Urban Ministry can be attributed to that.

Now, it was not all sunshine and rainbows. I was told I was there on what seemed to be a less frantic and smooth-running day. Yes, there were a lot of upbeat people but there was a share of people who are chronically homeless and their lives have been destroyed by drug use, extreme mental illness, and a long series of bad decisions, but do not judge and stereotype as a whole.

There were a few heartbreaking instances that I encountered – One gentleman received a bill from CMC and in front of me, he opened it, read it and took a deep breath and looked at the sky and said, “Please let them know I will pay this as soon as I am able, God”. Another gentleman proudly said that he was back to get his mail because he didn’t have his wallet, as you must have an ID to receive mail. After conversation, he confessed that he had to fight someone to get his wallet back.

After mail duty, I went on a tour of the facility and listened to a former homeless person, Cora, speak. She talked candidly about her prior life of drug use, mental illness, and homelessness and the dire times that she encountered. Inspiring yet humbling. I immediately thought about what a bad day is and most of my bad days are miniscule compared to what she has endured.

During the tour, I was excited to see a community garden and a library – Two minor amenities but both give the neighbors something to grasp on to and give them more pride that we can imagine; a garden to provide pride, as well as, the vegetables in the meals that are served and a library to gain education and power. Next, I entered an art studio and saw some of the most amazing pieces I have ever laid my eyes on. Some pieces indicated struggle, some hope, but all exquisite and powerful. Community members can purchase the artwork and a percentage goes to the artist and hopefully is one piece of the puzzle to get back on their feet.

The truth of the matter is, is that most of us are a few paychecks or less away from being in their shoes. I know if it wasn’t for my mom helping me in my dark times, I may well have been there myself. Often the homeless are shunned and scrutinized by our society – We tell them they are bums, hurt them, and degrade them. It is sick and saddening… We are all humans and we could be in their situation in a second.

I know about myself that I am a compassionate and sympathetic person and I truly enjoyed my volunteer experience. I think what it takes to be a volunteer is someone that is personable, understanding, and dynamic. Personally, I think that this a great volunteer opportunity for someone that needs a reality check. In dealing with some people that have severe drug addictions and mental illnesses you have to be tough minded and forgiving, much less, understanding. Prepare to be inspired and feel grateful for even the little things you have.

Though I did really little things for our neighbors during the 4 hours I was a volunteer, I hope that I can someway relay to our neighbors how much they blessed me and how much they taught me. Sometimes we get the most powerful lessons in the most unexpected places and for me, this was the place.

In my March blog, I opened up and got really personal about why I started the @QCMeetTweet and if you need a reminder, please read my prior blog.

The reason why I produce the @QCMeetTweet came clear… again!  I met and connected with many, many more Charlotte locals; quite a few that I have been ‘social media friends’ with that I never met in persona and I am proud to say I have done business with some, became friendly with or created friendships with all.  Not to mention, several of us stayed a few hours after the ‘end’ of the #MeetWhoYouTweet event and had some drinks and hung out -  THIS is what this event is all about!  PLUS, we were able to give proceeds of the event to @HandsOnCLT, who was our vote winner!

Miss out on the last event?  Ready to do it up again?

Two years ago when I would visit an obscure dance club inside the NC Music Factory; I inevitably would drive by the entrance on Seaboard every single time.  And though it sits blocks from Uptown, I struggled to find a crowd there most nights even though I knew the space and opportunity was there.  Well last Friday night, I had no problem whatsoever finding the NC Music Factory, the crowd and a good parking spot!  Artful, edgy signs now light the way to ‘the Factory’ and there are enough entertainment options to make all party-goers extremely happy.

What took us out there this past Friday night was the start of Friday Live! at the Factory with Eve 6 and special guest American Aquarium.  For anyone missing winter (or what passes for winter here in Charlotte), Coors Light was happy to bring it back with a massive bar made of completely of ICE and a snow machine that shot flakes out the entire evening.   Some of the most energetic bartenders I have seen in a long time spent a good part of the night dancing behind the bar along with the dancers shaking it nearby on their own blocks of ice (or as American Aquarium referred to them when effusively thanking them, “the half-naked Eskimo girls”).

While the main party was in the courtyard thanks to amazing bands (many thanks for bringing in a regional band in American Aquarium), the Ice Bar and a breezy summer night, getting there early in the night gave us time to explore all the new venues contributing to the success of the NC Music Factory.  We grabbed a drink and delicious fish tacos at The Saloon where we were able to play some corn-hole and enjoy casual conversation.  We ducked into Bask to peruse an elegant menu and enjoy delicious wine thanks to a knowledgeable bar staff.

And then came my downfall in the slushie-themed paradise that is Wet Willies.  Thankfully there are minimal tables to bump into as one concoction sets everyone into dancing mode.    I was able to sample a few mixes before deciding on the ‘Naked Willie’ and heading onto the patio to enjoy the music.  And before I could get into too much trouble, my hubby was kind enough to take my hand and lead me back to the Coors Light Ice Bar to enjoy the rest of the concert.

The crowd was more varied than I’m used to seeing at some other Charlotte hotspots and I appreciated the mixing-it-up attitude everyone had as they danced under the fake snowflakes and blew off the stresses of the work week.  For anyone who stayed out past kitchen closing time, the conveniently located Mattie’s Diner was kind enough to stay open late to satisfy those midnight munchies.

And once again, I cannot contain my nerdiness enough to stop talking about the ease of parking.  Having to constantly engage in the hunt for a spot whether I’m Uptown or trying to get to Thomas Street, I can’t say enough about the joy of a wide open, newly and completely paved pasture with plenty of parking spots.  And FREE parking at that!

Expect to hear more from me about the joys of the NC Music Factory with a Cinco De Mayo party at Butter this week, a girl’s night out planned for Halo and the news that the VBGB Beer Hall & Garden is now OPEN!

And of course, Friday nights at the Factory!  What a fantastic way to start off your weekends!  They’ve done an extraordinary job of including a wide range of bands to appeal to all Charlotteans with upcoming bands for Friday LIVE! including Fuel, Big Bad VooDoo Daddy and Vertical Horizon.

See you (soon) at the Factory!

- Stacey Irwin

There is a surprising wealth of creativity here in Charlotte.  I say surprising because when I first arrived in the Queen City, most notable on the landscape were the tall buildings, the suits, the plethora of Starbucks.  I mean no offense to Starbucks (I’m drinking mine right now) but I tend to associate artists with independent coffee houses like Smelly Kat.

So I readily admit that I stereotyped this city as there is a thriving community of local artists.  And while I enjoy traversing the city to visit boutiques and galleries, I have to give much credit to the founders of Nodarioty for bringing a large selection of local artists to the conveniently located (at least for me) Neighborhood Theater.  And I thank them for giving me a large room of local art, a great variety of it and a bar featuring imported and micro-brewed beers!

I find that after a stroll and several purchases, I always walk away with a pocketful of business cards.  Not to downplay social media says the girl writing a blog post but I still love the feel of a business card and enjoy how distinctive they can be.  There is something so personal, so connective about a person handing you a card with their information, inviting you to explore their business and their craft more thoroughly.

Here are some of my favorite artists (and their business cards) from my most recent Nodarioty stroll.

Not Made In China – I LOVE LOVE LOVE this local company.  Not just for their “Merry Christmas & Happy New Beer” bottle opener ornament.  Not just for their witty Charlotte based sayings, most recently “Charlotte – We put the NC in DNC!”  And not just for their Crafty Series including a button asking “Where my Stitches At?”  Though I do plan on owning pretty much everything they make one day, the biggest reason that I love Not Made In China is that they go beyond peddling their wares. They are outspoken advocates of local crafts, handmade items and ingenuity.  Like their cloth bag states – “When Life Gives You Hands, Make Handmade.”

Kendra Studios – The visual work of Kendra Baird is visually stunning to me.  I snapped up two prints and will probably order a reproduction soon.  I often joke that while my husband and I are fine with the floor space available in our 1100 square feet house, we will run out of wall space in about six months as the collection continues to grow.  Kendra works with acrylics and finds inspiration ranging from nature to architecture to more specifically, scenes of people walking in the rain.  A rain scene was my first purchase, Offering The Truth, and what impressed me was her ability to combine dreary & bright.  I was drawn to the gold and copper tones contrasting with the parade of primary colors.  And while everything is open for interpretation, Kendra says, “My subjects can be as simple as a few birds perched on a tree branch, or as complex as a woman losing her identity in the struggles of life.”

Intenyears. – Vintage inspired jewelry that is unique and distinctive.  Timeless and versatile, there are perfect choices for your jewelry box.   A beautiful turquoise stone and silver leaf necklace stood out to a friend of mine who swore it was a perfect gift for her sister.  She raved about how wonderful it was and wouldn’t her sister love it??  In reality, we both knew that this was the perfect necklace for her and a return trip to the table DID find the best gift for her sister, an almost miniature disco ball-like pendant with a topaz shade to it. Why share a not so interesting story? Only to show that Intenyears has a great variety whether you feel like switching up your personal style from day to day or if you are actually looking to buy for someone else . However, what is most enjoyable about stopping at this table are the owners who are chatty without being pushy, nice without being buy-something-from-me-now fake – I always enjoy stopping at their table.

SO this might not seem the most timely of posts but I missed a preview of the last one so now I’m overcompensating by letting you know six weeks in advance that another show is approaching on Thursday, May 19 at the Neighborhood Theatre.  It kicks off a festive weekend in NoDa! Friday, May 20 features an outdoor expo hosted by NoDa’s Greenification team called Pimp My Rack which has selected artists painting bike racks designed by NoDa local Theron Ross.  And Saturday, May 21 brings the fourth annual FemmeFest celebrating women in the arts.

Can’t wait a whole six weeks?  Visit Green Rice Gallery to view Kendra Baird’s latest exhibit Beauty in the Broken running through May 29^th.

Soda sucks… Plain and simple. A few months ago, I wouldn’t have dreamt of saying that but today, I can say it loud and proud. For just about the last 2 months, I have been soda free and free of the drinks that create havoc on our bodies. I haven’t turned out to be a crazy evangelist, anti-soda drinker who tells you why you are bad for drinking it, but I will share facts and my story – Maybe it will inspire you or maybe you will think I am crazy.  Either way, read my story and decide for yourself!

I Chose Water – Kim’s Story

Want to learn more about NoFizzCLT and Bobby Demuro, the mastermind behind the movement?

Visit No Fizz CLT’s Website
View No Fizz CLT’s YouTube Videos
Become a Fan of No Fizz CLT on Facebook
Friend Bobby Demuro on Facebook
Follow @NoFizzCLT on Twitter

Up for a challenge?  Want to prove to yourself that soda isn’t as strong as your will power?  Click the below link and take the 30 Day Challenge. The best part? You get daily information to keep you inspired and educate you on how much healtier you will be each day that you are soda-free?  Also, with thousnds of others who have taken the 30 Day Challenge, there is no shortage of support to help you through!

Information on Taking the No Fizz CLT 30 Day Challenge

Eight years ago, I moved to Charlotte from Milwaukee, Wisconsin. I didn’t know a soul but I knew that it was my destiny to be in the South and with my then career aspirations, I thought Charlotte was the ideal place to be.  I have never made it a secret that my first few years here were not pretty… Let me take that back – The first few years here were HORRIBLE.  I had no family or friends here and I would nightly cry to my loved ones back home in Wisconsin regretting my solo move across country. Honestly, it was a really dark time in my life.

Eight years from the most humbling time of my life, I am now a business-owner of a relatively well know local website, 704events.com – Which ironically is a company about uniting the community and having a platform where people can learn about area local events, businesses, savings, and news. I have met literally thousands of Charlotte area locals, transplants, and visitors and a large portion of my job is now to be social and network… Quite the turn of events, don’t you think?

To get started in Charlotte, I relied heavily on social media to get acclimated to Charlotte and to make connections.  While slightly helpful, Myspace, which was nearly the only social media networking outlet, was never on the cutting edge of creating events where people would just meet.

Hence, this is why my friend Dean, owner of db_promotions, have joined forces to create the @QCMeetTweet (Get it?  #MeetWhoYouTweet). Our mission is to close the gap between social media friends and your ‘real life’ friends; our vision is to create a more positive, tightly knit and even stronger Charlotte community. Though Dean re-located from within North Carolina to Charlotte, he ran into the same struggles as I did… How do you make connections and meet people if you don’t know anyone to start with?

You may be looking for new friends, new business connections, to be surrounded by different people – Maybe you are looking to meet a potential boyfriend | girlfriend, are at a crossroads in your life, or looking to enhance your social media connections; regardless what your reasoning is, @QCMeetTweet is here for you to help make your goals a reality.

Please join us at LOFT1523 for Meet Who You Tweet Night on Tuesday, March 29th from 6-9pm.

The event is FREE and has a unique twist; you are in control! Ballots will be available at the event to nominate the non-profit of your choice. ALL proceeds from our raffle sale will be awarded to the charity receiving the most votes.

Raffle prizes include a $50 Gift Card to StrikeCity, a portrait Session from Lindsay Hess Photo valued at $75, a 5-Day Dog Daycare Pass valued at $125 from Dogtopia, an original Painting from Gil Gallery valued at $350, and more! The non-profits that receives the most amount of ‘votes’ by attendees receives the proceeds!  Raffle tickets are $1 a piece, 10 for $5, or an arm’s length for $10.

It’s not only a great way to raise awareness for local non-profits but an excellent way to meet people in real life! Enjoy a conversation with fellow business professionals and expand your networking circle or just talk to folks with common interests and make new friends.

Visit http://twtvite.com/MWYT0311/ for event details and register to attend.

Of course, the staff at LOFT1523 will be serving up amazing drinks and we are currently looking for a food sponsor to cap off the experience!

This all being said, we truly hope that you will join us!  Want to come but don’t have a partner-in-crime to attend with?  Don’t you worry about it!  You will meet either myself or Dean at the door and we will introduce you around, get to know you and make you feel right at home!

If you are interested in learning more, if you want to donate a gift to our raffle, or have questions – Please reach out to me at 704/281.4482 or email kim@704events.com

The @QCMeetTweet | #MeetWhoYouTweet event is brought to you by:

Kim Hughes – Owner of 704events.com | Twitter | Facebook
Dean Bauguss – Owner of db_promotions | Twitter | Facebook
Adam Whalen – Owner of LOFT1523| Twitter | Facebook

Let’s cut the flowery intro and get to the meat!  You know what Stace and I did… We volunteered and will be volunteering each month through the end of the year to inspire you to get active and involved to improve your community.  Is the Humane Society of Charlotte for you?

Humane Society of Charlotte’s Website

Donate to the Humane Society of Charlotte

Find Dogs and Cats that are Looking for a Forever Home!

Stacey’s Take:

“There’s a lotta poop involved.”  Cat Belteau, volunteer coordinator at the Humane Society of Charlotte doesn’t mince words.  Volunteering at HSC is not all about warm fuzzies and cooing with kittens or communing with puppies, a lesson that Kim and I learned when we spent the day there last Tuesday as volunteers.  Perhaps we shouldn’t have been so adamant about doing grunt work, because there was certainly plenty of it!

Kim & I joined Cat and the staff at HSC to get an idea of what it means to be a volunteer for the Humane Society of Charlotte.  During the day I discovered that a) I can handle the poop smell that comes from having two dogs but the poop smell from 40 or so dogs is pretty powerful, and b) I would make a horrible volunteer for the HSC because all I wanted to do was take home every single dog, puppy, cat and kitten that I saw.  As my husband would tell you, I’m not allowed to set foot within a one mile radius of shelters or adoption fairs for fear of overcrowding at our already over-crowded 2-dog household.

I also learned that Dobermans are good little escape artists as one shimmied his way right past me when I was trying to give him some water, leaving me in a noisy kennel trying desperately to get someone’s attention while body-blocking the exit.  But that’s another story….

Now, anyone familiar with non-profits knows that there is rarely enough staff to do everything that needs done which is why volunteers are so crucial.  And as appreciative as staff are of volunteers, there is a delicate balance we must maintain to both keep volunteers satisfied and meet the needs of the organization.

As a volunteer coordinator myself, there are some pet peeves (pun totally intended!) that I’m discovering are commonplace among other volunteer coordinators.

First, please take the time to fill out the volunteer application before contacting the coordinator directly. Volunteer coordinators handle a large number of inquiries every day on top of managing the volunteers that are on the property so time is limited.  Oftentimes, your question is one that has been asked before and will be addressed in the initial email or at orientation.

Speaking of orientation, make sure you show up if you sign up!  Especially at HSC where they limit their orientation spots – you are not only setting a bad precedent if you no-show but you are taking a spot from another interested volunteer.

Cat was kind enough to walk us through an orientation that started with the mission statement of the HSC:  The mission of the Humane Society of Charlotte is to be a community resource committed to improving the lives of companion animals through adoption, spay/neuter and education.

Obviously I needed to attend an orientation.  Going into this experience, I only thought of HSC as a place that finds homes for animals – community outreach and the spay/neuter clinic never crossed my mind.  It also did was open my eyes to the various volunteer experiences available at HSC.

And while there’s a lotta poop involved, thankfully, it’s not all about the poop.

Do you prefer a solo volunteer job?
Help with animal care and kennel cleaning!
Do you prefer quiet (trust me, earplugs are required in the kennels)?
Help out with the massive amounts of paperwork that is required in running a non-profit.
Are you a social butterfly?
Work with Development on any one of the spectacular events hosted by HSC or volunteer your time to visit schools and organizations as an ambassador of the HSC.
Medically minded?
The spay/neuter clinic needs prep help (no worries though, you won’t do the actual cutting).
Thick-skinned with a good phone voice?
Sign up for what Cat considers the toughest job, customer service!
Can you provide a temporary respite for animals without becoming too attached?
HSC is in desperate need of foster families! Having foster families lets HSC take in animals that may be turned away for lack of space and HSC provides all necessary items for hosting your little guest.

And, in every non-profit organization, there is always that rock star volunteer job that everyone wants.  In this case, it’s Walk to Adopt where volunteers take the dogs out to local parks to not only provide them with a work-out but also to help them learn important socialization skills.

Be prepared to work for that one!  Not only will you need to show your commitment by helping clean the kennels first but you are also required to take the Shelter 101 class before you can leash up and head to the great outdoors with the pups.

Cat also requires that volunteers pay a $25 fee.  It’s all about the bottom line when fundraising is involved and this fee helps cover the cost of volunteer t-shirts which, fyi, I am totally coveting.

You might wonder why interested volunteers are asked to jump through some hoops to help and once again, we are back to the fine line that non-profits walk with their volunteers.  It requires a great deal of time and energy to train new volunteers.  Sometimes people are more excited about the idea of volunteering than the actual work itself which doesn’t make for a long-term volunteer.

If you don’t follow through on your commitment at HSC, it’s not just the humans in the building that you are cheating.  Your leaving will affect the animals.  Just like any human experience, the animals need to build trust in relationships which requires consistency and accountability.

Other pet peeves include:

• Don’t bring treats for the animals – their diets are closely monitored by the staff.  And if you upset their stomach, you better hope you’re volunteering in the kennels so you can clean it up.
• Don’t get attached.  I know, it’s easier said than done.  I had to leave a little early because I was two minutes away from taking home Jocelyn, a Newfie/Lab mix that was nothing but sweetness and cuddles.  But my job that day was not to save every animal in front of me (and thankfully HSC is a no-kill shelter).  My job that day was to help take care of the animals so the kennel staff could talk with prospective owners.  My job that day was to help them find a forever home that wasn’t my home.  If you think the need will overwhelm you, this may not be your organization for volunteering – consider donating instead.

While volunteering is supposed to be a selfless act, it’s okay to be a little selfish in looking for the right volunteer job.  Make sure the opportunity fits you.  And make sure you know what to look for in an organization.

Here’s one way to know that you are working hard for a great organization – listen to how the staff talks about their organization.  Non-profit is not the career you strive for if you’re looking for a normal 40 hour week, a job that doesn’t stretch you thin or a big paycheck.

So take a look at the staff and see if they are excited about their mission.  See how quickly they rattle off achievements.  See if they are overjoyed at the fact that the spay/neuter clinic they run saved 80 million kittens from arriving during kitten season (seriously, there is a kitten season).  Because, despite my queasy stomach from all the new smells, I would still march into the building on Toomey Ave and sign up to help based on how the staff glowed when they talked of their jobs and their successes.

And hopefully, for the sake of my marriage, I will set my boundaries and not bring home every puppy that wags its tail my way.

Kim’s Take:

I am really, really glad that Stacey and I are doing this adventure together – Yes, she is a friend and it is great to have adventures together but on top of that, we come from polar opposite experiences in the non-profit world. For as long as I have known Stacey, she has worked for non-profit organizations and she knows the in’s and out’s of volunteering and what is involved in non-profit work. I on the other hand, have never worked for a non-profit but I just love to help and get involved – I don’t think too much about it; I just do.

Last Thursday, when Stacey and I were scheduled to kick-start the Non-Profit Tour, I was anxious and excited – I am a complete animal person and I thought that this would be the ideal place for me to donate my time after our Non-Profit Tour and make a difference but I was so wrong…

We started our day with an hour long orientation about the Humane Society of Charlotte, the tiers of volunteering, what it takes to be a volunteer and general information about the Humane Society of Charlotte.  Truthfully, I felt really overwhelmed!

There are a few facets that stood out to me about becoming a volunteer – One being that volunteers need to pay $25 to volunteer for their education. To an outsider, it may sound ridiculous to pay to donate your time but really, it makes all the sense in the world. I see it all the time and in the non-profit world, it must be 700% worse; People that seem like they are all on board and then bail – Or maybe, volunteer a few times so they get that ‘good’ feeling and then move on. For the Humane Society of Charlotte, all of that training and time invested into a volunteer to make sure that they are well-aware of the risks and how to properly take care of an animal is wasted and who suffers?  The animals searching for their forever home…

Stace really covered most of the points that I was going to cover and to save on redundancy; I will get to the meat of my evaluation of the Humane Society of Charlotte.

To Be a Volunteer:

From my perspective, if you are extremely attached to animals and have a tender stomach, this volunteer experience is not for you. Don’t feel bad if I called you out because you are not alone; volunteering at the Humane Society of Charlotte is not something I can do on a regular basis.

NOW, just because I do not foresee myself becoming a full-on volunteer for the Humane Society of Charlotte, it DOES NOT mean that it is anything to do with the organization or the people involved! Honestly, I adore every single person I came in contact with… I just cannot volunteer and be around those animals without getting emotionally sick.

I say tender stomach because it is not all ‘furry faces’ as our volunteer coordination, Cat, said to us several times through the day. When you deal with 100+ dogs and cats, there is going to be a lot of…well, we will say…. mess. Imagine the smell… And the multiply that by 2!  I pride myself on having an extremely high tolerance to gross things but I was tested… big time. On two occasions, it took everything I had not to throw up. Granted, after an hour or so, I was immune to the smell but it was quite the shock. I was warned by several people about the smell but my hard-headed self thought I wouldn’t be affected.  Yeahhhhhh right!

I love dogs and I myself have 2 rescue dogs, Abby and Kya, who are my heart and soul; I thought that volunteering to help dogs would be second nature to me. Seeing 100+ dogs lined up in a kennel – Some scared, some hyper, some shy and all in search of a forever home was beyond heartbreaking and at the end of the day, was my demise.  After 2 hours of volunteering with the dogs and being in contact with them, I couldn’t do it anymore. I felt anger that they were in these cages, sadness that they were the ‘lost dogs’, and wanted nothing more than to be a with a caring, loving family.

I felt extremely close to one dog; a pit bull named, Shorty. He is so kind and loving – Mild and attentive. He stole my heart and gave me a new appreciation for my dogs at home; though they get on my nerves and do horribly naughty things, at the end of the day, they just want love. Both dogs follow me with every footstep and just want to please me. I envisioned Shorty and each dog at the Humane Society of Charlotte in the same light.

I started tearing up and then I knew, I cannot be a volunteer…

Now, if you can handle it, the Humane Society of Charlotte is looking for STABLE adoptors (people who will consistently donate 8+ hours per month) or people that are able to the job that Stace and I did… Cleaning kennels, watering the animals, and scoopin’ poop!  Though it isn’t the most glamourous way to to volunteer, it is necessary and you will get the satisfaction of see hundreds of cats and dogs wag their tails, purr, give kisses, etc.

View some pictures from our experience… (Click on the picture to make it bigger)

- Stacey Irwin and Kim Hughes

Humane Society of Charlotte’s Website

Donate to the Humane Society of Charlotte

Find Dogs and Cats that are Looking for a Forever Home!

To be honest, I’m not sure if kids are in my future.  But when I factor in being able to play with kid’s toys the scale begins to lean towards “Yes.”  That’s why I was excited to hear that a business built entirely on playing with Lego building blocks had arrived in Charlotte.  Bricks 4 Kidz is a creative learning enterprise setting up shop in Charlotte, courtesy of Tricia Rana.

According to their website, Bricks 4 Kidz provides “an extraordinary atmosphere for students to build unique creations, play games, and have loads of fun playing with Lego bricks.”  Working with themes like machines, outer space and mosaics, the activities trigger the imagination and build self-confidence.

Perhaps it was the 5 year old in me that completely skipped over the learning part and went right to being excited about play-time.  If I were a parent, I would probably realize that games often mask important developmental lessons.  With Bricks 4 Kidz, lessons are hidden in fun activities and there are options for every age level.  I even got a glance at the mechanical Legos that the older kids get to play with and they were, in a word, awesome!

So I tagged along with Tricia and a couple of her trainees to watch a class at a local pre-school with my mind still on playtime.  I wasn’t alone in that thought as the kid’s eyes lit up like a string of Christmas lights when we walked in carrying Rubbermaid totes of Legos.  (No small feat as they were still pretty groggy from their naptime.)

What followed was a revelation – I didn’t realize how many lessons could be tucked into a seemingly normal play session.   And I don’t think the kids realized it either as they happily went along with Tricia.

Having never seen a lesson plan, I was intrigued at how the lessons unfolded.  First the kids were shown a picture of a camel which beats the usual “C is for Cat.”  Not only did they learn to identify the camel (Lesson #1) but they learned fun facts like camels have 3 eyelids (Lesson #2).  On a personal note, as a trivia night nerd, I’m sure that tidbit will come in very handy for me one day!

I was also waiting for one of the kids to quote my favorite line from Aladdin, “Watch out they spit,” but instead heard a lot of zoo stories.

And then it was time to build a Lego camel (and really how many of us can say we’ve done that?).

First the kids had to pick out the red and blue Legos (Lesson #3) and from those they had to separate the squares and rectangles (Lesson #4).  Tricia and her team then gave instructions on how to build the camel that the kids had to follow (Lesson #5).

Now I happen to love the next step – one of my favorite parts of playing with Legos with my nephew is when we happily build towers just to knock them down like Godzilla.  And, thankfully the kids didn’t get too attached to their creations and were just as thrilled to tear them up as they were to build them!

Now that their camels were disassembled, they had all these blocks to work with again.  Everyone was handed a sheet of paper with the letter C traced on it and had to identify what letter it was (Lesson #6) and were asked to name other things that began with C (Lesson #7).  Cameron, a boy in their class, was by far the most popular answer. The C on the paper was broken up by squares which the kids counted (Lesson #8) and then using their Lego blocks, they filled in the C outline matching up the square and rectangle shapes on the paper with corresponding Lego blocks (Lesson #9).

And here’s Lesson #10 for the day – Working with kids is hard!  From reading this, you may think that every child listened well, that some camels didn’t end up hitting the ground mid-construction or that there wasn’t that one child who decided he was a above making a camel and continued on his quest to finish the Sears Tower building.

I commend Tricia and her staff for their patience, their ability to keep a large group of children on track (with the exception of the master builder mentioned above) and their sincere enthusiasm for what they’re doing!

I also personally commend Tricia as I watched her build the Lego camel example in a record 45 seconds much like a Rubik’s Cube champion would solve the cube.  Actually, if you’re an Alias fan reading this, Tricia’s assembly of the camel reminded me of the scene where young Sydney put together the tower of blocks in a record 20 seconds only proving what a kick-butt spy she would one day become.  But you really have to be a fan to get that reference.

While they have mainly worked with classrooms, the Bricks 4 Kidz is available for birthday parties!  Kids might groan at having a learning opportunity at a party, but I liken it to how parents sneak veggies into their diet by telling them mashed cauliflower is really mashed potatoes or by making chocolate cupcakes with zucchini as the main ingredient.

If you were wondering how you were going to keep the kids entertained this summer, make sure to visit the website or find Bricks 4 Kidz Charlotte on Facebook!  Upcoming workshops will be listed shortly or you can contact them directly to set up your own session!  And, forgive me, but at some point I had to use the obvious metaphor.  By engaging your children with Bricks 4 Kidz, you are putting the building blocks in place for a bright future.  Seriously, I couldn’t resist!

Starting this month through the end of 2011, 704events.com is on a mission – A mission to spread the words of selflessness, community awareness and accountability; not to mention, the actions that takes to elevate the Charlotte Metro community to a new level of positivity and a better quality of live for us all!

My friend and resident blogger, Stacey Irwin, and I are going on a Non-Profit tour. It may sound strange but the concept is basic – We are going to volunteer at a different non-profit organization each month and spread the stories, inspiration, heartaches, and emotions that we feel in hopes to inspire Charlotteans and beyond. Some posts undoubtedly will make you laugh, cry, get you agitated but above all; we hope that it evokes emotions in to you to donate, whether that is your time, money or goods.

The details are basic but our stories and motivations to do so are not – Learn more about us and why we are taking the first step in hopes of changing Charlotte as we know it.

Kim’s Story

From the earliest age I can remember, I was a giver and a saver – Though the ‘saver’ side of me has not always led me to the best people, the giver side of me was never wrong.

My action into supporting non-profits started in high school. When I was 17, I lost my father to cancer and in the months following his death, I participated in the Relay for Life for several years. Also in high school, I co-founded an organization called E.R.A.S.E (Eradicating Racism and Sexism Etc). After moving to Charlotte, I got actively involved with several non-profits including, but not limited to Operation Homefront, the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, Big Brothers Big Sisters, and PROJECT Halo. Though I am from a small community, I have never been small minded.

I know that even though some aspects of my life are tragic and hard to cope with, I am extremely blessed with an amazing support system of friends and family, great health, relative financial stability, and a business that drives me to succeed with each passing second. On a larger scale, I am blessed because I am breathing, I have friends and family, I haven’t financially suffered, I am disease and illness free, I have a car, my bills are paid and I have a roof over my head. Though I am striving for more, I want to share my blessings, work, tenacity, and education to a community that has welcomed me, embraced me, and aided me in creating my new ‘home’.

Over the last few months, I have noticed more and more that people are diverting the bulk of their attention in life inward. That’s fine – We have to look out for ourselves but the distaste for people on a different socio-economic level, the frivolous consumption of money, the disregard for our environment, animals and people DOES NOT sit well with me.

Do I expect miracles from this project? YES!  A miracle to me is inspiring one person to move past their hardships, self-doubt, and problems and become all that their heart and dreams can imagine. An equally enormous miracle would be to move someone to give back; whether it is opening a door for an elderly person or donating $1 million dollars to a non-profit in need.

What am I gaining from this is more than I can ever express. No, no one is paying me for this and I am not working alliances to make this benefit my business. What I am gaining is the notion that I have the opportunity make a difference; that I can positivity affect people, places, animals, concepts and the well-being of Charlotte, North Carolina.

Stacey’s story

From the start, I knew that I had an obligation to give back to my community.   I was raised by parents who made sure we knew how fortunate we were and spent many holiday seasons delivering toys to needy families, summers working on Habitat homes and lived a childhood of rescuing stray dogs.  My parents are the people that give money to guys on the exit ramps holding cardboard signs and take the woman begging outside of the local Wal-Mart inside to buy groceries.

As I grew up, the volunteerism continued – I started an Environmental Awareness Club, was a Big Sister for many years, gave tennis lessons to underprivileged kids and implemented a campus chapter of Habitat for Humanity.  However, in my mid-20s, I turned inward and focused more on myself and having fun (not gonna lie here).  But my 2-year old cousin’s battle with leukemia brought me back to giving back.  That was the year that myself and 9 family members ran marathons and raised money for Team In Training benefitting the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society.

From that volunteer experience began a new career in non-profit work.  Starting with the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer, I then spent two years at LLS and am currently at the Urban Ministry Center.  I still try to volunteer as much as possible with local non-profits including Girls on the Run and Habitat for Humanity.

I gain as much as I give when I work with non-profits.  For anyone who feels they are lacking the time to volunteer, I believe that they are missing out on an amazing opportunity for personal growth and satisfaction.   I’m a big believer in perspective.  When you volunteer, you come into contact with people less fortunate and it is eye-opening to see how blessed we truly are.  I am healthy, financially stable and have a world of opportunities before me. Who am I to not use what gifts I have to raise awareness and money for those in need?

Never a big fan of looking the other way when there are problems to be solved, I am passionate about community awareness which makes this year of blogging for 704events.com an thrilling one! And against all media accounts of apathy, I believe that people everywhere are aching to do some good.  They just need to find the charity that stirs their passion.

From a professional standpoint, I am excited to educate the community on how to be great volunteers!  I know that volunteer management is a fine line to walk.  There are needs to meet that might not always be the most appealing tasks at hand and oftentimes volunteer work isn’t about how warm and fuzzy one can feel.  I hope that we can impress upon potential volunteers how vital they are to an organization and how important consistency and accountability are.  And after spending a year visiting local non-profits, I hope that our readers have a better understanding of where their time and talent will be best used.

This year to volunteer gives us the gift of 12 months to encourage partnerships between non-profits and the community – I’m ready to get started!