Habitat for Humanity Wins

2012 Gaston Together Community Leadership Award

(Gastonia, NC) – Gaston Together:  Communities of Excellence is pleased to announce that Habitat for Humanity has been selected as the winner of the 2012 Community Leadership Award.  According to Selection Committee Chairman, Jason Shoemaker, “Gaston Together is proud to honor Habitat for Humanity for their long-standing commitment to Gaston County. Even in a difficult economy, Habitat continues to provide housing options that not only meet local needs, but also contribute to County-wide redevelopment. These ongoing efforts, coupled with the opening of the ReStore on Franklin Boulevard, required collaborative, ‘outside the box’ thinking, which made Habitat a deserving winner of the 2012 Community Leadership Award.”

The award will be presented on Thursday, March 29^th, at 6:00pm at the Gaston Country Club. Larry Sprinkle, News Channel 36, will emcee the event.

The Community Leadership Award is presented annually to an organization whose work has made a significant impact on improving the quality of life in Gaston County.  It recognizes the ideals reflected in Gaston Together’s mission of collaboration and creative problem-solving.  Some past winners include Operation Playground, the Community Foundation’s “Run For the Money” Campaign, the Mt. Holly Community Development Foundation, Gaston Family Health Services and  Gaston College.  Last year’s winner was Hope 4 Gaston.

Each year, the winner of the Community Leadership Award receives a sculpture commissioned by Gaston Together.  This sculpture is the “Circle of Caring,” an original piece of artwork designed by renowned artist Dr. Graham Weathers.  2012 Gold Event Sponsors are: Duke Energy, BB&T, PSNC Energy, and Bridgestone Americas Trust Fund.

Gaston Together will also recognize the finalists of their third grade, “Proudest Kid in Gaston County” Essay Contest as well as announce the 2012 county-wide winner. This contest is open to all third graders in the county in both public and private schools and is sponsored by the Gaston County Education Foundation.  The essays were written by third graders following their “Pride in Gaston” Traveling Tour field trip which is taken in the fall of the school year.  This year’s tour included visits to the Gaston County Courthouse community room, Holy Angels in Belmont and Gaston College in Dallas.  The field trip was developed by Gaston Together in partnership with Gaston County Schools to coincide with the third grade study of the community.  The corporate sponsors of the tour were PSNC Energy and First Legacy Community Credit Union.  Program Partners were Barrett Business Services, Inc. and Tindo Ford-Lincoln-Subaru.

Formed in 1997, Gaston Together:  Communities of Excellence is a grassroots, non-profit organization committed to improving the quality of life in Gaston County by bringing people and resources together to address our most pressing community needs.  Its mission is achieved through the principles and best practices of collaboration, facilitation, promotion and the anticipation of possibilities.  Current initiatives include:  Gaston Vision 2020 (our county’s quality of life vision for the year 2020), Gaston Community Healthcare Commission (our county’s Healthy Carolinian Partnership), Gaston Clergy & Citizens Coalition, Keeping Families Intact (connecting families in need with local resources), Leadership Development skills training and Facilitation Services.  For ticket information on the event, please call Christie Williams at Gaston Together (704-867-9869, ext.109).

BLOOD DONE SIGN MY NAME

Two Day Community Outreach Event

Sunday, February, 26, 2012

2:00 PM @ Gaston College Myers Auditorium

Admission is FREE and open to the public

Screening of the Movie, Blood Done Sign My Name, followed by a Q & A with Reverend Tyson @ 4:30 PM

This true story unfolds against the backdrop of the 1971 racially motivated murder of a young Henry Marrow in Oxford, NC.  Reverend Tyson chose to challenge his community's walls of prejudice by inviting an African American minister to share his pulpit.  The movie chronicles Reverend Tyson's emergence as a true, American hero. Portions filmed in Gastonia.

Monday, February 27, 2012

8:30 AM Clergy Breakfast with Reverend Tyson @ CaroMont Health: Auditorium (2nd floor next to cafe, Clergy admitted free of charge)

10:30 AM Panel Discussion/Webinar for Gaston County Schools

Moderator: Belmont Mayor, Richard Boyce

Panelists: Reverend Vernon Tyson, Senator Marshall Rauch, Peggie Ferguson, Judith Ayala & Gaston County Schools Superintendent Reeves McGlohon

Sponsored by: The Gaston Clergy & Citizens Coalition (an initiative of Gaston Together) and The Alliance for Children & Youth/ Communities in Schools

Ferguson and Spargo will be Honored with the

2012 Gaston County MLK Unity Award

The Gaston Clergy & Citizens Coalition (GC3), an initiative of Gaston Together, will present the 2012 Gaston County MLK Unity Awards to Mrs. Peggie Ferguson and Pastor Dickie Spargo on Monday, January 16^th at 10:30 am at the MLK Plaza.  The Plaza is located on the corner of Marietta St. and Long Ave. in downtown Gastonia.

The Gaston County MLK Unity Award was established in 2004 by the GC3.  The award recognizes current or former Gaston County citizens who have performed exemplary community service to help build bridges of unity across lines of race, class, gender, faith and/or municipalities within our county.  Names of the honorees are engraved on the MLK Monument located at the Plaza.  Past winners include:  Senator Marshall Rauch, N. A. Smith, Mildred Sadler, Elsie Grier, the 1964 Gastonia Human Relations Committee, George Jaggers, Rev. Houston Matthews, TJ Solomon, Marie Hamilton, Dr. Bernard Sullivan, the Honorable Rev. Dr. Richard Boyce, Dr. Ed Sadler, Mr. William Seabrook, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Penegar, Rev. Esteban Solis and Jennifer P. Davis.

Familiar to many in Gaston County, Mrs. Peggie Ferguson is retired from Gaston County Schools as a teacher and administrator.  She has always worked tirelessly to assist those in need to help them improve their lives.  Her community service work crosses many sectors of the community including the Highland Family Resource Center, Salvation Army Girls and Boys Club, and Holy Angels. In recent years, she has worked to assist with engaging mentors and tutors for Rhyne Elementary to help break the cycle of poverty through education.  Mrs. Ferguson has been awarded many honors among them the Gaston County Women’s Commission “Woman of the Year.”

A native of Gastonia, Rev. Dickie Spargo is the senior pastor at Bethlehem Church in Gastonia where he has served for over twenty years.  He has led Bethlehem Church to become a leading externally  focused church in our community.   Pastor Spargo was the inspiration behind Hope 4 Gaston, the largest one-day volunteer event in Gaston County - repairing homes, providing food and other necessities to those in need, building relationships through a community block party and being a catalyst for racial reconciliations.  Among his many honors are the Gaston Gazette “Spirit of Freedom” Award and the Community Service Award from the NAACP.

The presentation of the awards will be part of an annual event designed by the GC3 to recognize the dream of Dr. King for all races.  It is a dream very much alive in Gaston County.  Please join the celebration as we honor those in our midst who have worked to build bridges of unity in our county.

The GC3 is a county-wide, non-denominational ministerial association formed in the late 1990’s by Gaston Together.  The GC3 meets on the second Tuesday of each month at 9:00am at CaroMont.  For more information, please call Gaston Together (704-867-9869.)

Keeping Families Intact, Youth Resource Fair

Keeping Families Intact (KFI), an initiative of Gaston Together, provided youth programming resources at the recent Twenty-third Annual Highland Festival.  Myra McGill, KFI Program Manager, was on hand to assist festival participants with the 27 Gaston County resources showcased in the KFI section of the festival.  Available resources provide information on youth programming such as free swimming lessons from the YMCA, laptop tutorial initiative, 4-H Club sign ups, Girls and Boys Club sports programs, Girl Scout programs, etc.  The sports agility assessments from Gaston Rehab and Associates captured the hearts and minds of may youth participants that day.  Some adult service resources were also provided including but not limited to CaroMont Wellness Exams, First Legacy Community Credit Union, Gaston Career Climb and IRS tax preparation programs.

A Highland Festival Resource Guide booklet was developed to compliment the service booth section of the festival.  General contact information was included in the booklet as a showcase for the resources on hand.  In addition, the Guide will serve as a resource for families as future needs arise.

KFI thanks the Target Corporation, Keep Gastonia Beautiful, and Martin's Funeral services for their generous support.  Thank you also to Collegiate/NFL football players Amanti Edwards, Appalachian State University Coach Kareem Young, Clarence Sutton and Cortez for their generous time commitment to sign autographs on behalf of KFI at the Youth Programming Resource Fair.

For more information on Keeping Families Intact or Gaston Together, please contact us at 704-867-9869.

Keeping Families Intact, an initiative of Gaston Together, and in partnership with CaroMont Health will host a Senior Citizens Health and Resource Fair for West Gastonia Seniors.  The fair will be held on Thursday, July 28th from 9:00 am until Noon at First Assembly, located at 777 South Myrtle School Road, Gastonia, NC 28052.  The fair will offer free health screening provided by CaroMont Health, senior information and door prizes.

For more information, please contact Christie Williams at 704-867-9869, ext. 109.

***Keeping Families Intact an initiative of Gaston Together will host a resource fair during the 23rd annual Highland Festival Saturday July 16, 2011! CaroMont Health will be on hand, alongside youth programs, tutorial programs, employment opportunities, and financial opportunities! Health and wellness programs will be from 9am-12pm, while the remaining will begin at 11am to 3pm.  For more information please contact Gaston Together at 704-867-9869, ext. 109.  Hope to see you there!! 

Keeping Families Intact, an initiative of Gaston Together, and in partnership with CaroMont Health will host a Senior Citizens Health and Resource Fair for West Gastonia Seniors.  The fair will be held on Thursday, July 28th from 9:00 am until Noon at First Assembly, located at 777 South Myrtle School Road, Gastonia, NC 28052.  The fair will offer free health screening provided by CaroMont Health, senior information and door prizes.

For more information, please contact Christie Williams at 704-867-9869, ext. 109.

Gaston Together’s Community Leadership Awards Event, A Tremendous Success!

The 2011 Community Leadership Awards Event was an evening to celebrate Gaston Together’s fourteen years of service to Gaston County, and to honor Hope 4 Gaston as the winner of the 2011 Community Leadership Award. Maureen O’Boyle, WBTV News Anchor, was the event emcee.  Over 240 guests were in attendance.

Hope 4 Gaston was recognized for their efforts to lead positive change for the betterment of Gaston County.  According to the 2011 Community Leadership Awards Selection Committee Chairman, Don Harrison, “Hope 4 Gaston has clearly shown the power of collaboration by engaging several other organizations, churches, individuals and government entities to pool resources and skills which ultimately merged into a multi-faceted team. Hope 4 Gaston has utilized a unique approach to community problem-solving and has definitely been a shining example of leading positive change that will impact the quality of life of Gaston County citizens.”  Rev. Dickie Spargo and Hope 4 Gaston Director John Whitaker were presented with the “Circle of Caring Award,” a sculpture commissioned by Gaston Together to commemorate this honor.  The sculpture was designed by local artist, Dr. Graham Weathers.

The winner of the 2011 “Proudest Kid in Gaston County” Essay contest for third graders was also announced at the event.  Soleil Mobley, Chapel Grove Elementary, was this year’s County-wide winner.  Honorable mentions were Timothy Locklair, H.H. Beam Elementary, Sarah Scoggins, Carr Elementary, Dagny Edison, Lowell Elementary, and Ciera Prince, New Hope Elementary.  The essay contest is sponsored by the Gaston County Education Foundation.  Individual school winners were presented with a Lantern of Knowledge medal for their essays.

Hope 4 Gaston Wins

2011 Gaston Together Community Leadership Award

(Gastonia, NC) – Gaston Together:  Communities of Excellence is pleased to announce that Hope 4 Gaston has been selected as the winner of the 2011 Community Leadership Award.  “Hope 4 Gaston exemplifies the community model that represents the true spirit of the Community Leadership Award,” according to selection committee chair and Gaston Together Council member, Don Harrison.  “It is a group of churches, community leaders, and volunteers who are working together to strengthen communities in Gaston County.  Hope 4 Gaston has made a tremendous impact in the two years of its existence.  They began with an idea between two ministers to help families with homes in disrepair and the work has grown to include much, much more – assistance with clothing, food, furniture, appliances, etc.  Hope 4 Gaston gives total focus to one neighborhood. They have created a model of helping their neighbors that will easily be replicated in communities across Gaston County.”

The award will be presented on Thursday, March 31^st, at 6:00pm at the Gaston Country Club. Maureen O’Boyle, WBTV Anchor, will emcee the event.

The Community Leadership Award is presented annually to an organization whose work has made a significant impact on improving the quality of life in Gaston County.  It recognizes the ideals reflected in Gaston Together’s mission of collaboration and creative problem-solving.  Some past winners include Operation Playground, the Community Foundation’s “Run For the Money” Campaign, the Mt. Holly Community Development Foundation, Gaston Family Health Services and the Alliance for Children & Youth.  Last year’s winner was Gaston College.

Each year, the winner of the Community Leadership Award receives a sculpture commissioned by Gaston Together.  This sculpture is the “Circle of Caring,” an original piece of artwork designed by renowned artist Dr. Graham Weathers.  2011 Gold Event Sponsors are: Duke Energy, BB&T, PSNC Energy, and Bridgestone Americas Trust Fund.

Gaston Together will also recognize the finalists of their third grade, “Proudest Kid in Gaston County” Essay Contest as well as announce the county-wide winner. This contest is open to all third graders in the county in both public and private schools and is sponsored by the Gaston County Education Foundation.  The essays were written by third graders following the “Pride in Gaston” Traveling Tour field trip.  This year’s tour included visits to the Schiele Museum Planetarium, Holy Angels in Belmont and Gaston College in Dallas.  The field trip was developed by Gaston Together in partnership with Gaston County Schools to coincide with the third grade study of the community.  The corporate sponsor of the tour was PSNC Energy.  Community Partners were Community One Bank, Metro Screen, Inc. Wal-Mart and Watson Insurance.

Formed in 1997, Gaston Together:  Communities of Excellence is a grassroots, non-profit organization committed to improving the quality of life in Gaston County by bringing people and resources together to address our most pressing community needs.  Its mission is achieved through the principles and best practices of collaboration, facilitation, promotion and the anticipation of possibilities.  Current initiatives include:  Gaston Vision 2020 (our county’s quality of life vision for the year 2020), Gaston Community Healthcare Commission (our county’s Healthy Carolinian Partnership), Gaston Clergy & Citizens Coalition, Keeping Families Intact (connecting families in need with local resources), Leadership Development skills training and Facilitation Services.  For ticket information on the event, please call Christie Colston at Gaston Together (704-867-9869, ext.109).

Keeping Families Intact to host

Federal Student Financial Aid Event

Keeping Families Intact (KFI), an initiative of Gaston Together, is hosting a Federal Student Financial Aid (FASFA) information and application event on Saturday, February 26, 2011 at Union Road Church of God, 2315 Union Road, in Gastonia.  The event will be held from 9am until 1pm.  Gaston College, Belmont Abbey College, Johnson C. Smith University and Gardner Webb University will all have representatives at the event although you do not have to be attending one of these schools in order to get assistance for your FASFA application.

All community residents may pick up FASFA information at the event.  Those residents interested in filling out applications should bring the following information:  Social Security Number; For dependent’s (Parent’s Social Security Number); Driver’s License (if you have one); Alien Registration Number (if you are not a U.S. citizen); Federal tax information or tax returns – including W-2 information for yourself, your spouse (if married) and your parents’ (if you are a dependent); Records of untaxed income; and Information of savings, investments, and business and farm assets for yourself and your parents (if you are a dependent.)

Applicants must bring to the event their “Pin” number secured before the event and secured from the online website: www.pin.ed.gov.  The “Pin” number will be used on the FASFA application along with the applicant’s signature.  It will also provide access to the Student Aid Report (SAR):  information on monies approved for FASFA.

FASFA is an application form designed for prospective and current college students whether in undergraduate or graduate studies.  Eligibility is determined in areas of Pell grants and work study programs.

For more information, please contact Myra McGill or Christie Colston at Gaston Together, 704-867-9869, ext. 109.