Bethlehem Center of Charlotte

Volunteer Spotlight-Premier

2009-11-09T13:24:00.000-08:00

Thank you to Premier for coming out on November 2nd. Volunteers sealed the wood on the playgrounds to bring them up to code and cleaned out our warehouse to consolidate two warehouses and save money on rent.

Speaking Engagements

2009-10-26T13:35:00.000-07:00

Bethlehem Center representatives are available for speaking at your club, church, circle, or other group.

Here is the calendar through 2009:

November 17th-Rotary, Lake Wylie
November 18th-Aldersgate UMW
December 2nd-Rotary, South Park

If you would like to schedule a speaker for your event, call Amy at 704-371-7404 or e-mail ahutchison@bethlehemcenter.org.

Mouzon United Methodist Women to hold Annual Bazaar

2009-10-23T07:36:00.000-07:00

Please make plans to attend Mouzon's Annual Bazaar which support their work with missions, including the Bethlehem Center. In the past, this event has raised funds to send children to summer camp, fund our scholarships, and fund our general fund.

Information from Mouzon:
Mouzon United Methodist Church at 3100 Selwyn Avenue, corner of Selwyn and Woodlawn, will hold its 64th Annual Fall Bazaar on Saturday, October 24th, 2009 from 7am-1pm. Handmade crafts and baked goods, silent auction, attic sale, and more. Breakfast and lunch available. All funds raised go to local missions that include Bethlehem Center, Crisis Assistance Ministry, Second Harvest, Habitat for Humanity, Salvation Army, Camp Care, and others.

Visit our event site at http://home.rr.com/mouzonbazaar.

2009-10-14T11:07:00.000-07:00

If one day of your life could:
-Provide low-income children with a better education
-Prevent teens from participating in gang and drug activity
-Send kids to college... first generation

What would you do?

Please join us in our Journey to Bethlehem on December 5th at 9 AM at Wesley United Methodist Church, a walk to fundraise for the educational programs of the Bethlehem Center. Registration fee is $15 before November 30th, free for Bethlehem Center and Head Start students and alumni. We ask that each walker set a fundraising goal of $50. Team packets and registration forms are now available through the Bethlehem Center development office by calling 704-371-7404 or e-mailing ahutchison@bethlehemceter.org. For more information, visit www.bethlehemcenter.org.

Help us Raise Money!

2009-07-29T10:58:00.001-07:00

You'll notice on the right hand side there's a new Widget (a cute little thing with some functionality) to fundraise for my walk team.

We will once again be organizing a Journey to Bethlehem, and whether or not you can make it, come join us in our effort to raise money to support our missions department at Bethlehem Center!

How you can do it:
A-Click on "donate" which will send you to my page
B-Either donate or follow instructions as to how to create your own page
C-E-mail out to your friends and let them know how they can join us in helping strengthen families and educate children

If you have any questions about the walk or would like to participate, call 704-371-7404

Coming soon...

2009-07-08T13:26:00.000-07:00

As many of you who follow us on Twitter already know, we are working on a brand new website. This website will have lots of capabilities, including a space for our alumni to reconnect and chat with each other and possibly a Spanish translation.

The question is, what would you like to see on our website? Is there anything that would keep you coming back? Is there any information you think we're missing?

If so, you may either post it as a comment, or e-mail it to ahutchison@bethlehemcenter.org.

Volunteer Staff makes the world go round...

2009-07-06T11:27:00.000-07:00

I apologize for being behind in the posting of news around this area, but we have been very busy with all of the volunteers coming in and out of the Bethlehem Center.

2 weeks ago, we were visited by 3 groups in one week. Matthews United Methodist Church came out to help with trash pickup on campus, followed up with 3 days of washing our Head Start buses.

Christ Covenant Church in Matthews came out to tackle a very difficult project. After the chainsaw finally arrived, they were able to remove 7 or 8 VERY large bushes from in front of our Head Start building. The teamwork these youth displayed was amazing!

And finally, we have a group visiting on Mondays from Myers Park Presbyterian (pictures to come).

Campership Update

2009-06-11T08:37:00.000-07:00

About a month and a half ago, we were still short 65 bags to send kids to the Christian camps, Camp Tekoa and Mount Shepherd. Needless to say, we were a little concerned.

We sent out e-mails, Tweets, facebook messages, and personal e-mails to all of our friends asking for help.

And the UMWs, UMCs, loyal Twitter followers, and faithful friends came through! We are very excited to report that as of yesterday, we had collected enough bags (counting the couple that we expected to come in today) to send all 80 children to camp!

Once again, though, we are asking for your help. We are still looking for financial support to send the kids to camp. It costs anywhere from $250-$400 (depending on the camp, age of kids, and transportation costs), and we have raised enough to send approximately 20 kids. We need your help sending 50-60 more. If you can help by making a financial donation, no matter how big or small, please send to Bethlehem Center c/o Amy Hutchison 2705 Baltimore Ave. Charlotte, NC 28203 with a memo for "Campership."

Once again, we thank you so much for all of your support!

What is Bethlehem Center doing during tough economic times?

2009-06-10T07:47:00.000-07:00

We don't have to tell you that it's been tough on Americans through the past year. While the Charlotte Observer is reporting that the recession is over, Charlotte also is currently sitting at the highest unemployment rate in 25 years.

But what does that mean for Bethlehem Center?

In 2009, we have been extremely blessed by an increase in giving by some of our church supporters and the United Methodist Women. We cannot thank you enough for this. The Head Start arm of Bethlehem Center is expecting stimulus funds, due to a priority put on Head Start in the package. This will allow us to up our service levels from 858 children to an even 1000 in the 2009-2010 school year. According to Head Start research, society receives $9 in benefits for every $1 in support given to Head Start children. We expect these stimulus funds to not only impact the educational needs of the children, but to impact the Charlotte economy in a positive way.

That being said, we are seeing a greater need in the community that we serve through our Missions and Education department. We are seeing an increased number of requests for emergency funding (assistance with medications provided through our Missions department), which will be served by an increased net from the Bridge Tournament in 2009 versus 2008. We will once again be rewarding scholarships to students needing financial assistance to continue their education, and are already seeing an increased number of applications in 2009 versus 2008.

We are expecting cutbacks in funding from other government grants and our corporate partners, but our partnership with Arbor has allowed the addition of 5 staff at no cost to Bethlehem Center, 3 of which will be male role models to our children in our summer camp program, a much needed addition.

Bethlehem Center is not immune to these tough economic times, but we are committed to serving those in our community to help them through it. If you would like to help, our greatest needs currently are unrestricted funds, summer camp, and our emergency financial assistance program. Donations to any of these can be sent to: Bethlehem Center c/o Amy Hutchison 2705 Baltimore Ave. Charlotte, NC 28203

Saturday Worker-Bees at Bethlehem Center

2009-04-27T13:23:00.000-07:00

This Saturday, Bethlehem Center welcomed the youth from Harrison United Methodist Church. They were participating in a poverty simulation, which meant the youth (and adults!) weren't eating for 24 hours. Somehow, though, they fought through the 90-degree weather and helped out at our Southside Head Start center and with cleaning around the BC Main Missions building.

Thank you for all of your hard work! We look forward to welcoming you back this summer for summer camp!

Auction Items for Bridge Tournament

2009-03-25T07:29:00.000-07:00

This year, there will be some larger autographed memorabilia available at the Bridge and Games Benefit.

These items include:

-Rolling Stones Autographed and Framed Album Starting bid $800

-BB King Autographed Framed Photo starting bid $200

-James Taylor Autographed and Framed Album Starting bid $350

-Mylie Cyrus Autographed Photo starting bid $150

-Bob Hope Autographed and Framed Dollar bill starting bid $200

-Willie Nelson Autographed Acoustic Guitar starting bid $250

-Portrait session starting bid $100

Be ready to come bid on these items to raise money for the Emergency Financial Assistance program at Bethlehem Center!

Only 75 Tickets Remain for the Bridge Tournament

2009-03-13T09:20:00.000-07:00

As of this morning, only 75 tickets remain for the Annual Bridge and Games Benefit. If you are waiting until the day of the event to buy your tickets, be forewarned that seating may NOT be available, so buy them TODAY. You may buy them online or by calling 704-371-7404.

Buy Tickets to Lowe's Motor Speedway events and help the Bethlehem Center

2009-03-12T10:41:00.000-07:00

Needs for Bridge & Game Tournament

2009-03-03T11:36:00.000-08:00

Several UMW ladies asked about specific needs for the Bridge & Game Tournament:

-44 Card Tables
-325 Small Plates
-325 Napkins
-Auction Items
-Bake Sale Items

If you are able to donate any of these items, please call at 704-371-7404.

Good Shepherd UMC serves on First Saturdays

2009-03-03T06:04:00.000-08:00

Starting in April, Good Shepherd UMC will be hosting "First Serve Saturdays" where members will get a taste of opportunities they can get involved in around Charlotte. A leadership team has been going around serving as "taste testers" from October to March. Below are pictures from the February First Serve Saturday, where members of Good Shepherd's First Serve team came out to sort clothing for the families in need from the Bethlehem Center.

Compelling Creations Jewelry

2009-02-23T06:33:00.000-08:00

Bethlehem Center has partnered with Compelling Creations Jewelry to offer some amazing jewelry with a percentage of sales coming back to the Bethlehem Center. Brochures with descriptions will be made available at the Bridge Benefit, or you can order online here.

Compelling Creations offers handcrafted, sterling silver jewelry. With any questions call 704-371-7404.

If you click on the above link, the referral code will be automatically entered. If you are unable to click on the link, the website is www.compelling-creations.com and our referral code is 937920.

Bethlehem Center kids learn manners

2009-02-20T06:37:00.001-08:00

Monday-Friday at Bethlehem Center, children in the community are fed a healthy snack thanks to Second Harvest Food Bank's Kids Cafe' program.

This time, our teachers decided to take a different spin on the regular afterschool snack and turn it into a learning opportunity. When the kids arrived, there were tables properly set, complete with mood lighting and decorations.

Kids learned the proper way to set a table, how to ask for food and say "thank you" when receiving it, and of course, a few "elbows off the table" were heard.

As always when I enter the room with the camera, some of the kids wanted to make their blogger debut, so here are just a few fun shots I grabbed before letting them get back to their lesson.

UMW Report on Journey to Bethlehem

2009-02-10T10:47:00.000-08:00

Martha Efird's report on Journey to Bethlehem in this month's Charlotte district UMW newsletter can be found here: http://www.wnccumw.org/District%20News/CHA_200901.pdf

If you are interested in serving on the 2009 committee, please contact Amy at 704-371-7404 or ahutchison@bethlehemcenter.org.

Hickory Grove UMC Missions Night

2009-02-09T11:46:00.000-08:00

One of the amazing and fun things I get to do in my job is visit our area churches, particularly the Methodist churches that support us through apportionments, donations, and volunteering. So, when I heard that Hickory Grove was having a Missions Night to raise funds for their missions projects, I just had to go!

AnnMarie, Jo, and Mary along with a staff of many others held a Missions night, complete with a wonderful home-cooked dinner (another reason my arm doesn't have to be twisted too much to go to these events!), a silent auction, and a talent show. Slides of different missions projects were presented, and I was allowed to have a booth of information telling about the Bethlehem Center.

The night started out by the Music Makers performing several old hymns (it reminded me of "Camp Meeting Months" many churches did several years ago). It was then the children's turn, where they taught us about the Gospels and love, and the Girl Scouts performed some old standards that some of you might remember ("Bazooka Bubble Gum," for one). Other performances included a youth dance team, a father/daughter duet, and a few piano performances that I'm sure would make any church envious of the talent Hickory Grove possesses.

Thank you to Hickory Grove for allowing Bethlehem Center to be a part of this great night. We are truly blessed and thankful for your dedication to missions.

Little Caesars Love Kitchen Serves Free Pizza to Needy in Charlotte

2009-01-23T12:03:00.000-08:00

Kids were all smiles as they enjoyed the pizza Little Caesars brought in.

Staff from Little Caesars came in and served 100 Bethlehem Center kids pizza. While we serve our children a snack in the afternoon, full dinner is definitely a treat for the kids!

An 18-wheeler truck delivered enough pizza for 300 people to the Southside Neighborhood. Special thank you to Little Caesars and Second Harvest Food Bank for helping kids and families in need.

Bridge and Game Tournament Date Set

2009-01-15T11:41:00.001-08:00

Donations needed:

Card Tables

Cupcakes

Breakfast Items

Over 400 families served Thanksgiving meals thanks to Davidson UMC and other area churches

2008-12-02T11:12:00.000-08:00

In the freezing cold, family members began to line up in front of the Bethlehem Center to collect Thanksgiving meal donations for their families. Bethlehem Center distributed over 400 meals to families living in the Brookhill, Southside, and Willmore neighborhoods so they could serve their families on Thanksgiving Day.

Special thanks goes out to Davidson United Methodist Church in Davidson, NC for continuing their tradition of donating 400 turkeys to the Bethlehem Center. Davidson holds a service the Sunday before Thanksgiving where attenders present grocery bags full of Thanksgiving "supplies" to the alter for the Bethlehem Center. Volunteers estimate anywhere from 500-750 of these bags are presented to the Bethlehem Center for the families the Center serves.

Thank you also to the other donors who supplied turkey breasts and sides for those involved in our seniors program.

The line formed at about 12:30 that day. Distribution began at 1. Temperatures were in the 40's, but people wanted to make sure they were there and ready for distribution.

A woman thanks our staff for her goodies. Faces like this make what we do well worth it!

A family decides to bring in a helpful tool in getting their meals home. Many families do not have cars, but live in the neighborhood, so some families have to find ways to carry their goodies home to get ready for Thanksgiving Day.

Families that are served also include 100 of our Head Start families.

Davidson United Methodist Church brings out volunteers to help take the donations off of the truck and distribute them to the Bethlehem Center.

Journey to Bethlehem

2008-12-01T11:17:00.000-08:00

It's not too late to Register for the Journey to Bethlehem walk!

Three ways you can help:Walk (or participate as a ghost walker): Go to http://www.bethlehemcenter.org/Journeyreg.asp to register
Fill out the friends and family form and we will send out letters on your behalf: http://www.bethlehemcenter.org/letterwriting.asp
Donate: Go to www.bethlehemcenter.org to donate. You would be amazed how far small (or large!) donations can go towards helping the children of the Bethlehem Center. Call Amy with any questions at 704-371-7404 or e-mail ahutchison@bethlehemcenter.org

www.bethlehemcenter.org

Current Bethlehem Center Needs

2008-11-21T10:56:00.000-08:00

We are having a Santa Brunch on Saturday, December 6th for the kids of the Bethlehem Center. We are in need of donations for this breakfast, which can be any of the following:

Pancake Mix
Eggs
Bagels
Muffins

If you are able to help out in this way, drop your donations by 2705 Baltimore Avenue and ask for Karie or Amy.

Looking for a way to give to Bethlehem Center that won't cost you a dime?

2008-11-20T08:52:00.001-08:00

iGive is a program where a percentage of your online shopping gets donated back to the charity of your choice. It's simple. Shop through iGive.com or download the application that will automatically donate any time you shop online, and Bethlehem Center will receive a check from your iGive contributions.

Go to www.iGive.com/bethlehemcenter for more information and to sign up.