Local Charity Winners

Founded in 1992, Caring House provides comfortable, supportive, and affordable housing to Duke Cancer Institute adult outpatients and their caregivers. It is a 12,900 square foot home that has 18 private rooms, each with a private bath, phone, television, and DVD player.

The Need
In Wake County and its surrounding 12 counties, the need is great. Be they mental health disorder, child abuse and neglect, juvenile court or autism disorder, more than 20,000 youth are affected. You can help change the trajectory of their lives. Will you?
Belief
We believe that there is no greater love than that of our mighty Shepherd and Creator and through His creation itself, we can reach the unreachable!
For I know the plans I have for you, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future. – Jeremiah 29:11
This powerful verse is the cornerstone of all we do at Shepherd Youth Ranch.
Purpose
To provide hope and restoration to the hurting through a unique relationship with a horse.
Strategy
We do this by pairing our horse “counselors”, many of whom are rescued, with youth and families who are suffering from trauma, underserved or in need. Through Equine Assisted Therapy and Learning, therapeutic activities and riding, we encourage personal empowerment, spiritual growth and life-changing insights.

Zach’s Toy Chest donates toys, games, books and other items that help boost the spirits of patients of all ages. A well-stocked toy chest ensures that every patient has a gift for holidays, birthdays and, most importantly, a little something to serve as a reward for their courage in fighting cancer and other critical illnesses.

Pretty In Pink Foundation’s mission is to provide uninsured and under-insured breast cancer patients in North Carolina with financial assistance for quality, life-saving medical treatment. We make this happen with financial commitments through sponsorships, fundraising, donations and pledge drives that support our Champions throughout North Carolina.

ebuilding Together is the nation’s largest nonprofit organization working to preserve affordable homeownership and revitalize neighborhoods by providing home repair and renovation services free of charge to those in need. Rebuilding Together of the Triangle (RTT) is the local affiliate, serving vulnerable homeowners in Wake, Durham, Orange and Chatham counties.

The mission of the Wade Edwards Foundation & Learning Lab (WELL) is to provide accessible achievement and enrichment opportunities for the high school community to pursue enduring academic, personal and career success. Our vision is a future of unencumbered possibilities for all high school students.

All youth have the ability to do BIG things. That is why Big Brothers Big Sisters of the Triangle (BBBST) ignites the potential within every child and advocates for them to explore the endless possibilities of what they can accomplish. There are an estimated 42,454 children living at or below the federal poverty level in Wake, Durham and Orange Counties. 64% of these children live in a single parent home. Although these youth may experience obstacles on a regular basis, they do not lack the ability to overcome those obstacles and reach their full potential.

A wish experience can be a game-changer for a child with a critical illness. This one belief guides us in everything we do at Make-A-Wish. It inspires us to grant life-changing wishes for children going through so much. It compels us to be creative in exceeding the expectations of every wish kid. It drives us to make our donated resources go as far as possible. Most of all, it’s the founding principle of our vision to grant the wish of every eligible child.

Helping Horse’s mission is to provide stimulating and engaging horse-back riding lessons to students with a variety of special needs for the benefit of physical and emotional growth. Also, to serve as a support community for parents and caregivers to share in the joy of the growth of their students. And to offer fulfilling opportunities for our volunteers to make a significant impact by guiding our students and/or working with our horses.

Arts Access’s mission is to enable children and adults with disabilities to have full access to and participate in the arts and cultural life of our community. Our vision is that arts organizations will operate with inclusion as a core value, provide programs and events that are barrier free and provide equal access to people with disabilities. Additionally we envision an arts community that is welcoming to artists with disabilities, providing meaningful connections and paid work. Our values reflect the social/rights model of disability which looks at removing barriers (physical and attitudinal) that restrict life choices for people with disabilities. When barriers are removed, people with disabilities can be independent and equal in society, with choice and control over their lives.

Oak City Cares is a hub for connecting individuals and families, who are at risk of, or are experiencing homelessness, to coordinated services that create a path to stable housing and renewed hope.

The Summer Science Program offers teens an exhilarating and inspiring immersion into hands-on experimental science. Working in teams of three, 36 participants and seven faculty form a supportive “living and learning community” over 39 days. Each team completes a real research project, taking and analyzing original data. Afterward, they join a worldwide network of 2,500+ alumni of all ages. In 2022 we will operate six programs.

Their mission is to provide hope through emotional support and financial assistance to families whose children are receiving care at North Carolina partner hospitals.

Their mission is to advocate for prevention. Building community capacity. Raising awareness. Prevent Child Abuse NC ensures that prevention is a priority in North Carolina and that all communities have the knowledge, skills, and resources to prevent child abuse and neglect at the local level.

Their mission is to strengthen literacy skills among underserved elementary school children and provide meals in a nurturing neighborhood environment.

Their mission is to offer innovative peer-based, recovery-oriented services to homeless, uninsured and underserved individuals with alcoholism and other drug addictions. Our program is specifically designed to rekindle a person’s desire and ability to return to a meaningful and productive life.

We engage our community to serve and advocate on behalf of those affected by poverty by providing food and nutrition, promoting health and wellness, and by laying the foundations of home. Since 1981, Urban Ministries of Wake County has responded to our neighbors in crisis by providing basic needs – food, medicine and shelter.We strive to look beyond the moment – helping our clients, patients, shoppers and guests build a higher quality of life. In January of 2021, we celebrated 40 years of service at Urban Ministries of Wake County. 40 years of providing basic needs to those who need it most.

Saving Grace began in 2004 at a private residence and farm to bring adoptable dogs and loving homes together. North Carolina is one of the highest states for euthanasia in the country and our mission is to make an impact. Since beginning, we’ve placed over 30,000 animals, however the task is still daunting.

Saving Grace partners with shelters with extremely limited resources where euthanasia rates are high across North Carolina to find adoptable dogs that just need a ‘second chance.’ We also take a lot of dogs in need of critical care or in dire situations from them as well.

Sound Rivers is a nonprofit organization that guards the health of the Neuse and Tar-Pamlico River Basins. They unite with concerned citizens to monitor, protect and preserve the watersheds covering nearly one-quarter of North Carolina.