Spend the morning giving back to your favorite local nonprofit. | Photo via Charlotte Regional Visitors Authority
We hope Black Friday + Cyber Monday didn’t drain your wallet completely, because today is #GivingTuesday, a global movement celebrating generosity + giving back to community nonprofits.
Last year, Giving Tuesday brought in $6.1 million in total financial impact to local nonprofits, up 5% from 2022. Not to mention, Charlotteans volunteered 4,133 hours. Charitable giving is on the rise – but where to start?
SHARE Charlotte is hosting #GivingTuesdayCLT Headquarters on Tuesday, Dec. 3 at Optimist Hall. Between 10 a.m.-1 p.m., donors are invited to donate, give goods, or register to volunteer with area nonprofits.
Bonus: The first 300 people who give $50 (or more) to their favorite nonprofit through SHARE Charlotte’s website will have their donation matched by Lowe’s.
Since 2014, #GivingTuesdayCLT has raised more than $46 million for Charlotte nonprofits + inspired over 60,000 donors.
Want to pay it forward? Consider buying someone a coffee using our guide to Queen City coffee shops.
Gigi’s Playhouse Open House | 10 a.m.-7 p.m. | Gigi’s Playhouse | Free | Spend Giving Tuesday at Gigi’s Playhouse to learn about their contributions to the Queen City.
Coastal Christmas at Caroline’s | 4-11 p.m. | Caroline’s Oyster Bar | Cost of purchase | Savor seafood and festive cocktails + win prizes in a Christmas raffle.
Candlelight: The Best of Bridgerton on Strings | 9-10:15 p.m. | Great Aunt Stella Center | $39+ | Dearest Reader, transport yourself to this musical event of the season — Lady Whistledown recommends it.
Kacey Musgraves: Deeper Well World Tour | 7:30 p.m. | Spectrum Center | $67+ | Celebrate the “Golden Hour” while singing along at the musician’s show in Uptown.
Following last night’s chance for snow, could we see more of it in the coming days? Probably not. However, the Queen City isexperiencing lows below freezing most of this week. Check your full forecast. (WCNC)
Coming Soon
World-renowned artist Romero Britto will open his flagship Britto store at SouthPark Mall on Saturday, Dec. 14. Guests can marvel at his bright artwork and products + meet the artist from 2 to 4 p.m.
Closing
Popbar is closing its NoDa storefront after 10 years of serving sweet treats. The popsicle shop shared the update on social media. Their last day of business will be Saturday, Dec. 14. The POPtruck and POPcycle will operate for “a little longer.”
Development
The long-awaited Rail Trail Bridge is close to getting off the ground. The City of Charlotte is going through bids to find a contractor for the bridge that would link Uptown and South End. Once a contractor is chosen, construction could start by mid-2025. (Charlotte Business Journal)
Announced
Mark your calendars. Nate Bargatze will perform at the Spectrum Center next year. The comedian and actor most recently hosted NBC’s “Saturday Night Live.” The show is Friday, Nov. 21, 2025 and tickets go on sale at 10 a.m. this Friday, Dec. 6.
Community
Applications for Mecklenburg County’s Low Income Energy Assistance Program (LIEAP) are open for people who are 60+ or receive help through the NC Division of Aging and Adult. All other households can apply beginning Jan. 1, 2025 — eligible residents can receive a one-time payment for $300, $400, or $500.
Real Estate
The Leon Levine estate is on the market for $6.9 million. The SouthPark home at 3531 Sharon Rd. features ample windows, a large primary suite, three-car garage, indoor swimming pool, and hot tub. Leon Levine, founder of Family Dollar, was a legendary Charlotte businessman and philanthropist.
Try This
It’s officially the holiday season. McAdenville, also known as Christmas Town USA, turned on the lights last night. Dozens of homes are decorated for the season, welcoming thousands of visitors every night through Thursday, Dec. 26. (WCNC)
Sports
Can the Panthers bounce back from Sunday’s loss in OT and clinch a spot in the playoffs? Go beyond the scoreboard for the biggest stories on the Carolina Pantherswith Locked On’s daily, team-focused podcasts.
Fun Fact
CLTtoday does not have paywalls because we believe access to essential local news is priceless. You can support our free, daily newsletter with a donation. Think of it like buying us coffee — or tea, if that’s more your style. Thank you for your support.
Finance
If holiday shopping — on top of your outstanding debt — is weighing on you this season, find a credit card with a “0% intro APR” period for balance transfers. Here are hands down some of the best.*
Plan Ahead
Don’t let those leftovers go to waste. Use the remainder of your end-of-year budget + get your business in front of thousands. For a limited time, take 25% off ads in our self-service ad portal when you use the promo code “2025" at checkout.
Shop
Looking for a last-minute gift? We found one that’s more than 60% off, can be delivered instantly + will last forever. That’s speaking our language. Shop the sale.*
Category
Community
🍽️ Dining for a good cause
Good Friends Charlotte raised $650,000+ during the 2024 Gather & Give fundraising luncheon. | Photo via Good Friends Charlotte
On Thursday, Dec. 12, more than 1,200 people will celebrate the act of giving back. And you can join the party.Good Friends Charlotte is hosting the 38th annual Gather & Give Fundraiser Luncheon at the Charlotte Convention Center.
Good Friends Charlotte is a women-led nonprofit that, since its founding in 1987, has raised more than $6.2 million + helped more than 3,000 local women and families.
The nonprofit works with 40 organizations in the Queen City, providing security for domestic violence survivors, offering financial help, feeding veterans, and empowering children to reach new educational heights.
“Women have strong souls and even stronger hearts,” says Marinn Esch, Good Friends Charlotte Board President. “When powerful women get together, they see the needs and feel the difference they can make collectively.”
Last year’s luncheon raised more than $650,000 — a goal they anticipate exceeding.
Want to attend? Seats are $75 + you can register here. Want to give but can’t attend? Consider buying pecans for the cause.
The Buy
The Buy
These trendy cat eye sunglasses — because you can never have too many pairs. They boast scratch resistant lenses + 400UV protection. Bonus: Your purchase helps provide those in need with free eye exams + glasses.
While a 35% chance of flurries is small for the Queen City, I’m still hopeful we get a little more than that this winter. I mean, just look at this view from Boone. Snow and a sunset like that... A girl can dream, right?
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