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  • Home
  • About
    • History
    • Our Work
    • UNC Children's
    • Executive Board >
      • Director Letter
    • Contact Us
  • Sponsors
    • Prospective Donors
    • Sponsorship Brochure
    • Our Partners
  • Get Involved
    • Community >
      • Organizations
      • Families
      • Donors
    • Students >
      • Committees
      • UNC Dance Marathon
      • Dancers
      • Volunteers
    • Alumni
    • Dance at the 2023 Marathon
  • Connect
    • Testimonials
    • Blog
    • In the News
    • Social Wall
    • Press
  • Events
    • Calendar
    • One Weekend Campaign
    • 2023 UNC Dance Marathon
    • Kilometers for the Kids
    • For(mal) The Kids
    • Benefit Reception
    • One Day Campaign
  • Store
  • Donate

Pregnancy During the COVID-19 Pandemic: Supporting Mothers-To-Be

1/26/2021

 
Emily Graham is from mightymoms.net and a featured guest writer for our page
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​Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, pregnant women have dealt with many unique concerns. While there are many organizations that support families in tough situations, like Carolina For The Kids, mothers-to-be also need lots of love and encouragement from their friends and families right now. Are you wondering how you can give your pregnant loved one the reassurance she needs? These resources are packed with advice!

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Classic Celebrations

Gathering in person to celebrate pregnancy milestones is not recommended at the moment. But you can contribute as your loved one plans for alternatives. 

  • Don’t outright cancel your loved one’s baby shower — just shift the festivities to a virtual platform!
  • Help your loved one come up with a safe and fun way to reveal their baby’s gender online. 
  • Is your loved one nervous about hiring a maternity photographer? Pick up your camera and plan a socially distanced, outdoor shoot with her.


Assisting With the Birth Plan

Creating a birth plan with the pandemic in mind can be challenging. These resources will allow you to help your loved one navigate her options. 

  • Go over necessary precautions for doctor’s visits with your loved one if she is nervous about going to her appointments during the pandemic.
  • Your loved one may be thinking about choosing a home birth. Discuss the benefits and risks together to help her make the best decision for herself and her baby.
  • Talk to your loved one about giving birth at a birthing center, which can be a good middle ground between a hospital or home birth.


​Giving Helpful Gifts

Shower your loved one with affection by giving her a thoughtful and useful gift! If you’re stuck for ideas, these suggestions might inspire you. 

  • Looking for an affordable, homemade gift option? Create DIY stress balls for your loved one!
  • Make your loved one feel beautiful by gifting her a lovely maternity nightgown that she can wear while nursing her baby.  
  • Think about small, useful items that your loved one would appreciate, and assemble a postpartum gift basket that can be sent to the hospital. 
  • What are your loved one’s favorite meals? Cook and package freezer-friendly dishes that she can heat up after her baby arrives for convenience.

This pandemic has been a trying time for pregnant women. Trying to plan for motherhood and protect your household from the virus is a difficult task. That’s why it’s so important for friends and relatives to go the extra mile for their pregnant loved ones, and with these resources, you’ll be a crucial part of her support system!

Interested in supporting an organization that supports children and families? Carolina For The Kids raises money for patients and their families at the local children’s hospital. Find out how you can get involved! 

Photo via Pexels


Ringing in the New Year CFTK Style

1/12/2021

 
Madeline Leung is the 2020 Newsletter Subchair


​       The year 2020 was a year full of uncertainties, surprises, and challenges. Despite the changes, Carolina For The Kids stayed true to our mission of supporting the patients and families served by UNC Children’s Hospital.
   
     
To celebrate the new year, Carolina For The Kids partnered with UNC Children’s to have a special pinwheel celebration. Any purchased pinwheels were placed on the lawn of the children’s hospital. They served to honor the children, healthcare workers, and community. With the pinwheels being a great success, we were able to raise $10,487 to benefit UNC Children’s through the For The Kids Fund. The fundraiser was not only able to spread some holiday cheer, but it created some beautiful scenery (take a look below!)
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​We are so grateful for all of our donors who made this pinwheel celebration possible. Additionally, we are always happy to see our CFTK members hard at work, planting the pinwheels right outside N.C. Children’s to make it all come together. It is always our goal to make the patients and families feel supported and loved in any way we can. 
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​If you want to learn more about the impact Carolina For The Kids and our pinwheel campaign had, please check out
this interview! Here’s to 2021 being the best year yet! 

2021 Dance Marathon Survival Guide

10/28/2020

 
Ella Coxe, Lacy McKee, Jackson Pace, and Brooke Watson are members of the 2021 Public Relations committee


Every year, UNC Chapel Hill students take part in a classic Carolina Tradition - the Carolina For the Kids Dance Marathon. Participants stay on their feet for 24 hours in order to raise money for the UNC Children’s Hospital’s patients and families to provide them emotional and financial relief during their stay. This year, the marathon is on March 19-20, 2021. Keep reading to find out how to survive the Dance Marathon! 
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​Survival Guide: 
  • Mentally and physically prepare for 24 hours of unforgettable memories! 
  • Eat a good breakfast and have snacks/ water on hand
  • Get comfortable! Make sure to wear comfy shoes (you will be on your feet for a very long time)
  • Sleep well before Marathon, you need all the energy you can get
  • Eat a good breakfast!
  • Wear a fun but comfortable outfit
  • Don’t be afraid to cry… you will hear from some patients and families that are directly affected by CFTK and it can get pretty emotional 
  • Friends! You don’t need to have them right away, but recruit or meet some of your pals so you can motivate each other to keep on dancing! What’s better than dancing for a great cause than dancing for a great cause with your friends?
  • Bring a camera! These are some memories that you want to keep forever as a reminder of how much fun you had at UNC, so grab your phone and take some pics during the dance!
  • Have an open mind. Dance marathon is a chance to learn more about yourself and the cause you’re supporting (What are your Reasons to Stand?) 
  • Get ready for beautiful nature scenes! Dancers will stay awake to see a beautiful sunrise
  • After the event, check off Dance Marathon from your UNC bucket list and let everyone know you participated in a HUGE Carolina tradition! 
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​Still not convinced?
Dance Marathon is as much fun as it is valuable, which is why over 2,000 students sign up each year. Although COVID-19 has erased many things this year, Dance Marathon is not going anywhere. Instead, there will be a virtual marathon with livestreams, Zooms, and more, as well as a shorter in person component. We will ensure the weekend will be full of great memories while still being extremely safe. This week is Dancer Recruitment Week so sign up while you can, you will not want to miss it this year… visit this link to become a 2021 Dancer! 


4 Reasons to Run for KFTK This Year

9/22/2020

 
Madeline Leung is the 2020 Newsletter Subchair


​Carolina For The Kids’ annual Kilometers For The Kids (KFTK) has never been anything less than a success. This year, we invite you to join us for our virtual KFTK weekend from October 9th to 11th… keep reading to find out why YOU should sign up to run this year! 
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​1. All proceeds directly benefit the patients and families of UNC Children’s!


By signing up for one of the KFTK races this year, you will be supporting the patients and families of UNC Children’s. These funds help cover things that medical insurance cannot, such as travel expenses, food, and more. As a community, we can all come together and work towards this cause. 
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​2. You can join the race from anywhere!


Since Kilometers For The Kids is completely virtual this year, anyone is welcome to participate (not just people in Chapel Hill)! You can run (or walk) wherever you are, whether it be outside, inside, or on a treadmill. Additionally, you can run individually or register with friends, coworkers, family, a club, or a Greek organization. 
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​3. Every participant receives a racer packet, including an exclusive t-shirt and more!


All KFTK runners will receive their own race packet in the mail or by pick-up. No matter what race you sign up for, you will be sure to receive an awesome t-shirt and a few extra goodies!
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​4. To be a part of an amazing, interactive weekend!


KFTK this year is like no other, being a virtual and weekend-long event. Throughout the weekend, we will be engaging with runners through our social media with a scavenger hunt, raffles, contests and challenges, and even a Spotify playlist for the race. Also, using the hashtag #KFTK2020 will allow everyone to stay connected! 
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​These are just a few of many reasons why you should run in KFTK this year! Kilometers For The Kids is such a fun event and we want as many people to experience it as possible. Click
here to read more about the event and click here to sign up to run! 

What Will Being a Committee Member Look Like This Semester?

9/8/2020

 
Madeline Leung is the 2020 Newsletter Subchair
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​Around this time a year ago, I was a first-year student trying to find my way around UNC and all it had to offer. I was eager to get involved in student organizations, so I decided to try out Carolina for the Kids. In just one year, I’ve gotten to experience so many amazing moments with CFTK including Banner Poster Painting, Kilometers for the Kids, Parents Night Out, and so much more. With Committee Recruitment Week wrapping up, I wanted to say: WELCOME! To all the new and returning members, I am confident this will be a great year! 


These times will definitely go down in CFTK history with the unusual circumstances we are facing. Even though we can’t be on campus together, committee members will still have numerous ways to stay involved. For one, committees will still have weekly virtual meetings and have the chance to bond with their teams. Also, members will get the chance to participate in many virtual events throughout the semester – no matter where they are in the world. For example, Kilometers for the Kids is still happening in October and open for members, friends, families, and anyone who wants to run! We are also offering a pen pal program for hospital volunteers to stay involved with patients while hospital visiting is restricted. CFTK will continue offering benefit nights and many more virtual events to benefit the patients and families of UNC Children’s and stick with our mission. CFTK has become like a home to so many of us, and we love adding even more to our family.
 
Especially this semester, your engagement and support are so important. Connect with us on Twitter, Instagram, and Facebook to keep up with what we’re doing this semester and don’t hesitate to reach out to any members of the Executive Board for questions. I’m so excited to take on this new year and I hope you all are too! 

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How to Give Back: Quarantine Edition

8/6/2020

 
Madeline Leung is the 2020 Newsletter Subchair

There is no doubt that COVID-19 has drastically changed the lives of many, but being in quarantine has graced a lot of us with some extra time on our hands. You may have even picked up a few hobbies, like baking or working out. But what about using this extra time to become a volunteer? Here are a few ways you can make a difference without even leaving your home:

1.     Listener for 7 Cups
Become a Listener and connect to people seeking emotional support online. 

Visit https://www.7cups.com/listener/become-a-volunteer-listener.php.

2.     Volunteer for the United Nations
Explore numerous volunteer options through the UN Volunteer website and find an organization you would be interested in helping with.
Visit
https://www.onlinevolunteering.org/en.

3.     Coach for low-income high school students for UPchieve
Learn how to be a tutor for low-income high school students who are disproportionately affected by the pandemic and digital learning.
Visit
https://upchieve.org/volunteer.

4.     Digital Transcriber for Smithsonian
Help make historical documents more accessible by transcribing and reviewing them.
Visit
https://transcription.si.edu/browse?filter=all&sort=notdone.


5.     Volunteer for COVID-19 related organizations
Browse the numerous different remote volunteer options and aid communities impacted by COVID-19.
Visit
https://www.volunteermatch.org/covid19.



Personally, Carolina For The Kids has shown me the importance of giving back to my community and getting involved in service. As a nonprofit organization dedicated to providing emotional, medical, and financial support to the patients and families at UNC Children’s Hospital, CFTK relies on our amazing members. Without the time and effort provided by so many UNC students, this organization would not nearly be as successful as it is today. So, during this time, please think about how you can help other organizations/ communities, as well as seek out additional opportunities outside of just this list. CFTK is proof of how rewarding, fun, and inspiring volunteering can be, so don’t hesitate to start getting involved, especially during a time when it is needed the most!  

CFTK is Making History

3/20/2020

 
Cheryl Phillips the 2019 Newsletter Subchair

The Past of Carolina For The Kids

'Since our founding in 1999, Carolina for the Kids has hit, and even surpassed, many milestones. The first dance marathon took place with 75 dancers and raised $40,000 FTK, and we have seen immense growth over the last twenty years. 

Only one year after the founding of the Dance Marathon, the For the Kids Fund was established and the first annual silent auction took place, which would later transform into the benefit reception. 

Following these developments, we continued to see big sponsors and endorsements, even from the Chapel Hill mayor in 2001. As we continued to grow, we saw appearances from Roy Williams and Will Ferrell, who showed their love FTK through the Marathon. 

In 2010 we established our Kid Co-Captain program, where children who have benefited from our work are invited to interact with our dancers and serve as a representation of all that we can achieve for the patients at UNC Children's. 

In the following years, the annual Kilometers FTK and For(mal) the Kids began. In the early years of the our organization, we were solely the Dance Marathon. However, with more team members and more support, we have broadened our horizons to host events throughout the year and partner with a variety of other organizations, creating Carolina for the Kids as we know it today. 

Our organization is now so much more than simply the dance marathon, although the marathon is still our largest event. Each year our fundraising efforts have increased and we have been able to do more and more for each family that we are able to assist. Although we have faced many obstacles in and outside of our organization, we have always stood strong and come through it together.

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Where we are now

We have created our own history and supported the kids in the best ways that we could through both trying and exciting times. Right now is no different. 

With the issues and disruptions of COVID-19 in the forefront of everyone’s minds, it is easy to panic and lose sight of our mission. However, I encourage each and every one of you to take this time of reduced activity and unprecedented circumstances to remember why we do what we do. 

While the Coronavirus has led to increased hospitalization and medical expenses for many patients around the world, the families that we support have been learning to deal with these types of things for months or years now. 

Our funds continue to support UNC Children’s and the patients that benefit from the research grants, meals provided, and Ronald McDonald House stays. As our the Dance Marathon takes a virtual format for the first time in our history, we continue to be grateful for all that we can accomplish FTK and for all the support of so many dedicated people.

From the bottom of our hearts, we thank you for helping us make history once again.

People of CFTK: Organizational Donations Committee

2/17/2020

 
Jenny Drury is a member of the 2020 Public Relations committee
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Meet Emily!

Emily joined CFTK because of her interest in the medical field and desire to give back to the less fortunate kids. Several years ago, her friend Brooklyn was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma and unfortunately passed a couple years following. During her treatment, Emily told me how she wasn’t able to do a lot of the things her other teenage friends were doing. 

Ever since this moment, Emily realized how she wanted to find a way, when she came to Carolina, to provide more enjoyment to children going through treatment or with an illness of some sort. She wanted to find a way to allow teenagers in the hospital to do things other teenagers were doing and have them not worry about their sickness or current situation. 

By joining CFTK, Emily has felt like she’s already made an impact by alleviating stress from the patients and their families. CFTK assists with paying for patients’ bills and travel fees, to make their lives a little bit easier. 
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Being one of only two people from her home town to come to UNC this year, Emily did not know many people at first. Joining CFTK has given her the opportunity to meet so many new people and expand her social circle. She says the people in CFTK have been so welcoming and it’s been so easy for her to make friends. She is a first year on the Organizational Donations committee and has already proved herself to be an outstanding committee member.  

The Organizational Donations Committee, or “OrgDo,” does a lot of the behind the scenes work for CFTK. They solicit all of the food and other donations that go to a lot of CFTK’s major events, specifically Dance Marathon and the 5K. We are so thankful for this committee because without them, I don’t think we’d be able to be on our feet for 24 hours at the Dance Marathon! 

Each member of this committee is assigned a different solicitation every week, where they are required to contact a restaurant or local business and see if they would be willing to donate anything for Dance Marathon. Emily, specifically, has got in contact with Lotsa Pizza and Nantucket Grill who are willing to donate… yum!

Overall, CFTK has had a large impact on Emily’s experience here at Carolina. She feels like she has already made a positive impact and volunteering allows her to see the work she wants to get involved with from another perspective. 

Meet the Hospital Committee!

2/17/2020

 
Kristin Van Epps is a member of the Public Relations committee
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The Hospital & Family Relations Committee is one of 11 Carolina For The Kids committees. This committee’s primary goal is expanding and solidifying the relationships with UNC Children's, the patients and families of the hospital, and the organization. Specifically, the committee is involved in building relations with families, doctors, nurses and hospital administration, as well as planning ways for committee members to engage with patients and families through the Pediatric Playroom, Parents’ Night Out and other events. 

​The 2019-20 Hospital & Family Relations Committee is comprised of committee members, subchairs and a committee chair, Lauren Harrell. As a member of the Executive Board, Harrell is in charge of both coordinating committee tasks and organizing committee members. 
 

Throughout the academic year, the committee is in charge of organizing volunteers for PNO- a weekly dinner served to the parents of children who are staying on inpatient floors of N.C. Children’s Hospital, coordinating dinners for the Ronald McDonald House of Chapel Hill, fostering community relations and getting potential donors to come to CFTK events such as the annual Benefit Reception and UNC Dance Marathon. A large part of this committee is engaging with the hospital, whether that be communicating with the doctors and families or volunteering.  

Aimee Comanici was recognized by her committee chair is an outstanding committee member. Comanici joined Carolina For The Kids in 2018 and has been on the Hospital & Family Relations Committee for two years. As a freshman, she was diagnosed with cancer and was treated at UNC Hospitals Pediatric Hematology-Oncology Clinic. During this experience, she was able to see how CFTK directly benefited patients and families of the hospital. 

While she did not directly receive funding from CFTK, she indirectly benefited from the parent sleeper sofas, funded by CFTK, which allows parents to sleep comfortably in their children’s rooms so they do not have to leave their children’s bedside. Ultimately, she joined CFTK because she was inspired to help others that went through a similar experience as her own. 
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As a committee member, Comanici volunteers with canning, sports events, PNO and the Ronald McDonald House. Her favorite experience as a part of CFTK is serving brunch at the Ronald McDonald House. At RMH, she enjoys hanging out with committee members, being involved with cooking and meeting the family members that she serves. 

For the upcoming 2020 UNC Dance Marathon, she is in charge of organizing a photo booth that will be featured at the event. Comanici is a prime example of how the Hospital & Family Relations Committee impacts lives, both inside and outside of the committee.

Bid for the Cause!

2/14/2020

 

Jenny Drury is a member of the 2020 Public Relations Committee

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CFTK’s annual Benefit Reception is one of our largest fundraising efforts of the year. Not only is it a fun way for CFTK to interact with the Chapel Hill community, but this is a silent and live auction that helps raise money for our organization, while also rewarding the attendees.

Last year this event brought in over $35,000, allowing us to make significant impacts in the lives of the patients and families of UNC Children’s. These generous donations were given by doctors and hospital staff, prominent members of the community, as well as patients and their families. In return, the bidders won either a hotel stay in a city on the east coast, a signed UNC basketball, prizes from local restaurants and hotels, a puppy, or even Carolina vs. Duke basketball tickets! These tickets are the item that guests were most excited to bid on.

As the night goes on, attendees get more and more excited for the live auction that will conclude the night. This is where the most highly anticipated items are auctioned off. Guests get into the action, making it one of the best parts of the night. A lot of the attendees either know each other or work together, so their competitive nature kicks in too. Last year, one person stopped bidding on the UNC Signed Basketball because he was afraid to outbid his boss. The auctioneer is really great and knows how to engage the audience to make this a night they won’t forget!

The Benefit Reception will be held this year on February 7th at the Carolina Inn. The items up for bid this year will be no exception to previous year’s extravagant trends, including an adorable black lab from a local breeder and a signed football from Mack Brown’s historic return to Carolina. We hope you will join us this year and help us make a difference FTK!

For more information about Benefit Reception, please contact Megan Butcher at formalaffairs@carolinaftk.org.

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P.O. Box 628
Chapel Hill, NC 27514-0628

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