Senior Services is a nonprofit that helps older adults in need of care. | Photo by Senior Services Inc.
There are many ways to give back to our neighbors. Studies show that those who participate in volunteer services see an increase of 7.35% in life satisfaction and 9.08% in physical health. Here are nine ways to get involved and give your time to great causes in Winston-Salem.
GreeNest is a local program that helps individuals and families transition to sustainable housing. Volunteers sort, clean, and organize furniture and household goods that have been donated by the community and stage it into a “showroom.”
Samaritan Ministries is Winston-Salem’s only soup kitchen, serving 300-400 guests daily. Spots are open for volunteers to serve food from the kitchen daily.
Senior Services, Inc. is recruiting Meals-on-Wheels volunteers to deliver hot meals to senior residents. Other opportunities include administrative duties, friendly one-on-one calls, or visits to local seniors.
Family Services of Forsyth County helps build healthy families and assists at-risk children through counseling and development services. Volunteers can read to children, support teachers, and serve as event volunteers.
Forsyth Humane Society offers multiple opportunities — whether it’s cleaning, community outreach, or providing comfort to an animal in need.
Cancer Services, Inc. provides services to cancer patients and survivors — and their families — at no cost. Volunteers can fundraise, landscape office space, write encouraging notes to patients, and more.
Passionate about keeping our city looking fresh? Volunteers with Keep Winston-Salem Beautiful participate in clean-up events, beautification projects, and educational activities.
Dress for Success Winston-Salem is designed to empower women to achieve economic independence. Volunteers can donate clothes, help with resume building, and develop networking skills.
ART CRUSH | Friday, Nov. 17 | 7 p.m. | Trade St. & 6th St., Winston-Salem | Free | Check out live performances, art collections, galleries, and meet local artists — plus, get ready for Brazilian Samba dancing and Latin music.
Family Fun Friday | Friday, Nov. 17 | 5-9 p.m. | La Pink Moon Café, 848 W. 5th St., Winston-Salem | Cost of purchase | The family-friendly event features games and activities, with craft stations and board games — and patrons can create their own wintry drink.
Saturday, Nov. 18
Ride for H.O.P.E. | Saturday, Nov. 18 | 12-12:45 p.m. | Cycle Bar, 400 W. Fourth St., Ste. 120, Winston-Salem | $15+ | All proceeds from the rides will help the nonprofit H.O.P.E. (Help Our People Eat) provide healthy meals and produce to underserved children in Winston-Salem.
Thanksgiving Drive-in Bingo | Saturday, Nov. 18 | 2 p.m. | Bolton Park, 1590 Bolton St., Winston-Salem | Free | Park your car or bring a chair and participate in Bingo — donations benefit Samaritan Ministries’ food pantry.
Sunday, Nov. 19
Holiday Book Fair | Sunday, Nov. 19 | 3-6 p.m. | Walnut and Broad, 907 S. Broad St., Winston-Salem | Cost of purchase | Kick off the holiday season with books for sale featuring local vendors — the first 50 attendees who make a purchase will receive a free tote bag.
A part of the Winston-Salem Northern Beltway will open this weekend. By Monday morning, drivers will be able to use the US 421 interchange near Kernersville to US 52 and bypass downtown Winston Salem. Traffic will also be able to move from US52 southbound starting at Westinghouse Road and connecting to I-74.
Civic
The Housing Authority of Winston-Salem will use small area fair market rents based on zip code to determine rental costs for participants in the housing voucher program required by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). The change is expected to take effect in October 2024. (WFDD)
Try This
Hop on free carriage rides, listen to carolers, and experience the holiday decorations throughout Reynolda Village. Its holiday stroll will be open to the public tomorrow, Nov. 18 from 3 to 6 p.m.
Show
Local vendors will be featured during the Kimpton Cardinal Hotel’s first wedding showcase on Sunday, Nov. 19. The event will be held from 1 to 3 p.m. and RSVPs are required — email Elisabeth Catterton to reserve your spot.
History
City officials will unveil a local historic marker commemorating St. Benedict the Moor Catholic Church located on East 12th Street on Saturday, Nov. 18 at 10 a.m. The parish is one of four historically Black parishes in the Diocese of Charlotte. The event is open to the public.
Award
Second Harvest Food Bank Northwest NC won Piedmont Environmental Alliance 2023 Green Business of the Year Award. The organization addresses food insecurity while reducing food waste.
Edu
Forest Park Elementary School’s library has been renovated after an $85,000 donation from Artcobell. The library now features new furniture, paint, bookshelves, and a mural.
Shop
Need the perfect holiday gift for your dad, brother, husband, or boyfriend? This brand has you covered with all the gifts and stocking stuffers that men will actually use. (Plus, they’re all 25% off during the Black Friday Sale, happening now.)*
Yeah, we know… kind of a bummer, and maybe not the news you want to start your morning with. So let’s get to the good stuff: the Carbon Reduction Program, an effort to reduce transportation emissions through local and statewide projects that are federally funded.
What is the Carbon Reduction Program?
In an effort to reduce transportation emissions across the US, the Carbon Reduction Program was created in 2021 to distribute $6.4 billion in formula funding over a five-year period. Winston-Salem is expected to receive approximately $893,286 for the program — which is funding up to 80% of the total project cost.
What’s driving the news?
By Wednesday, Nov. 15, states and designated metropolitan planning organizations were tasked with unveiling their strategies to reduce emissions through the program.
They also had to disclose which projects will be funded by the program — whether that be installing protected bike lanes in one city, creating a new bus rapid transit system in another, or a different project that helps reduce carbon emissions.
I decided to put up my Christmas tree this week. I know, I know — it may be too early for some people but there is something about Christmas lights that makes my heart so happy. I can’t wait to host Christmas pajama parties with my girlies.
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