Invested in the communities we serve.

Leigh Sellers supports the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation, and specifically the North Carolina Extreme Hike.  As the hikers say, the most important step is the first step.  The Cystic Fibrosis Foundation (CFF) is a global leader in the quest to find a cure for CF, funding a wide range of research initiatives aimed at addressing every aspect of the disease. While significant progress has been made, much work remains to be done. Every person born with cystic fibrosis is on a unique journey and experiences this challenging disease differently. Some community members are thriving, while others do not benefit from existing therapies, either because their disease is too advanced or because their specific genetic mutations will not respond, and they face greater challenges. Fundraising is vital to ensuring the continued progress of CF research. Despite the achievements, there is no cure, and people with CF continue to lose their lives to this disease.  

 Find more information about upcoming hikes at https://fundraise.cff.org/springhike2026 as well as other fund raisers at https://fightcf.cff.org/

Lea Finegan supports Misson 34.  Their mission is to eliminate the stigma surrounding mental illness through education, awareness, and ambassadors.  It shows strength to ask for help, not weakness.  That's a New Type of Tough - Mission 34. 

Mission34.org 

Brione Pattison supports the Red Sweater Project, which transforms lives through education at the Mungere Secondary School in rural Tanzania.  In Tanzania, 82% of families cannot afford to send their children to school beyond the 6th grade.  The average annual income in rural areas is approximately $530 and school costs about $500 per year.  When families scrape together resources, boys' education is almost always prioritized because girls are seen as more valuable staying home and preparing for marriage. Preventing girls from obtaining an education limits their prospects and slows the progress of an entire community.  The Red Sweater Project is breaking this cycle.  For just $15 per year – 97% less than public school – students receive a quality education that promotes girls’ enrollment and challenges gender stereotypes.  Students also receive two nutritious meals, often with food grown from their own garden, safe drinking water, and health services.  By making education accessible to boys and girls, the Mungere School isn’t just changing individual lives – it’s proving to the entire community that gender doesn't limit ability and shifting expectations for the next generation. 

Find more information at www.redsweaterproject.org

Allison Thomas' pick is Charlotte's Angels. Through their Love Box® Program, Charlotte's Angels wraps entire foster families in community support—not just the children, but also the caregivers who open their homes. When foster parents receive consistent encouragement and practical help, they can create the stable, nurturing environments that foster children desperately need. Charlotte's Angels understands that it takes a village, and they're building that village one family at a time.  

 Find more information at www.charlotteangels.org 

Sheila Passenant supports and chose to highlight Best Buddies. Best Buddies International is a U.S.-based nonprofit organization founded in 1989. Its mission is to end social, physical and economic isolation for people with intellectual and developmental disabilities (IDD) by creating opportunities for meaningful friendships, integrated employment, leadership development, inclusive living, and family support. Best Buddies programs include:

• One-to-One Friendships: Pairing individuals with and without IDD to build genuine social connections and mutual support
• Integrated Employment: Helping people with IDD obtain and maintain paid employment, support financial independence, and participate fully in the workforce. 
• Leadership Development: Empowering people with IDD (and their allies) as public speakers, self-advocates, and community leaders. 
• Inclusive Living & Family Support: Supporting integrated living opportunities and providing resources for families of people with IDD. 

As of the 2024-25 program year, North Carolina and South Carolina have a combined 91 chapters, impacting 36,640 individuals across 52 cities and 33 counties.

https://www.bestbuddies.org/northcarolina/ 

https://www.bestbuddies.org/southcarolina/ 

Intimate Partner Violence is a devastating reality for too many people. At Touchstone, we see the impact of domestic abuse on a regular basis. Often, we see clients who do not even recognize that they have been subjected to domestic abuse. That is why the Jamie Kimble Foundation for Courage is such an important nonprofit. This nonprofit was founded more recently, in 2013, but is already making a big impact on the lives of people who have been touched by domestic violence. The most central purpose of the foundation is to raise awareness of the warning signs of abuse and educate the public about prevention. Let us share a sobering fact from their website and reference guide. 

The majority of parents (81%) believe teen dating violence is NOT an issue, or they admit that they don’t know that it’s an issue. Though 82% of parents feel confident that they could recognize the signs if their child was experiencing dating abuse, a majority of parents (58%) could not correctly identify all of the warning signs. 

You can learn more about the Foundation and its mission on their website.