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Charlotte, NC – The Business Leaders of Charlotte (BLOC) held its 20^th consecutive winter community involvement event, BLOC ‘n Bowl, on December 4^th at Ten Park Lanes. BLOC members raised funds by soliciting donations for their teams and sponsoring the event.

This event raised funds for the Charlotte Bilingual Preschool, whose mission is to prepare Spanish-speaking children for success in school and life by providing superior dual language early childhood education.  Charlotte Bilingual Preschool serves children birth to 5, but what makes them unique is that they provide dual generation programming to serve their families.

Allie Norman from the Charlotte Bilingual Preschool said “CltBP is grateful to be the recipient of the BLOC n Bowl funding for this year. Funds from the event will go towards an amazing program which we are piloting this year as part of our Workforce Development Approach, called the Apprenticeship Program.”

The Apprenticeship Program provides family members from within the Charlotte community the opportunity to pursue a career in Early Childhood Education. The participants in the program this year are all women. All members of the Latinx community. Many of which had a career in their home country, that didn't translate when they moved to the United States.  All of these women have something in common - their goal is to provide a better life for their children and realize their American Dream.

On February 23, after a brief COVID-Omicron peak delay, BLOC presented the ceremonial check to the Charlotte Bilingual Preschool in the amount of $26,205.75.  

Business Leaders of Charlotte is an alliance of professionals that provide opportunities to build business, grow friendships, and strengthen our community.  BLOC provides a variety of member benefits. Whether you want to give back to the community, are interested in business networking or just want to socialize and meet new people, BLOC provides an opportunity to get involved.  BLOC has raised a total of $571,950.57 for local non-profits since its inception in 2001.  For more information about BLOC please visit our website at www.businessleadersofcharlotte.com

BLOC raised $18,600 for the Children's Home Society of NC at the 2020 BLOC n Bowl event.  A huge thanks goes to the 7 teams that raised these funds and bowled at the event.  

It's a wonderful testiment to BLOCs ability to come together for a cause even when times are at their hardest.

Special shout-out to Team Pinnin' Ain't Easy for winning BOTH Top Bowling Team and Top Fundraising Team!

Team PK Pinknockers came in second for fundraising and Team Big Delicious finished third in fundraising.

Check out the pictures from the event here. 

Gloria M. Williams is one of three Individuals whose commitment and outstanding service was recognized posthumously with an award being named in her honor by the Board of Directors of the North Carolina Community Action Association in 2001.The Gloria M. Williams Award is presented annually to a corporation, foundation, or other valuable partner that has advanced the cause of the North Carolina Community Action Association or one of its members. The award focuses on substantial financial, volunteer or political support.

BLOC was presented with this nomination during the April After Hours event and on May 10th will be awarded this honor for 2018 by the North Carolina Community Action Association. Members of the BLOC Executive Council will be on hand to receive the award in Asheville, NC. 

BLOC is honored to receive such an honor and grateful to the members of the organization for being committed to strengthening our community. Please read the nomination letter below.  

Business Leaders of Charlotte (BLOC) has raised $33,330 during it’s 13^th Annual BLOC N BOWL event.   Just as previous years, BLOC raised money for local families in need during the holiday season.   Over 100 bowlers participated in the event, and contributed to this record raising event that took place on December 2^nd.    Carolina Office Solutions, whose company specializes in quality new and used office furniture in Charlotte, became the first Title sponsor of the event.     Following the lead of Carolina Office Solutions,  4 other Local Charlotte Companies sponsored the event in various capacities.   BLOC would like to thank all the BLOC N BOWL sponsors:  AdvoCare, Sherrill Structural Repairs, Best Integration Technologies, INC. (Best In Tech), Coggin Law, and Carolina Office Solutions for making this year’s event the best yet!  

On December 16^th, Bloc members and families delivered gifts and a $250 gift card to each of the 15 sponsored families.   This year BLOC was also able to also cut a check to Charlotte Area Fund for $13,771.63 from the remaining funds of the event.   Charlotte Area Fund, Inc. (CAF) a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that was established in 1963 “to do such things as are necessary or desirable for advancing the general welfare of the people in the area of Charlotte, NC, or for educational, scientific or charitable purposes in such area”.

With this event and the golf tournament held on May 9^th, Bloc was able to contribute over $50,000 to the Charlotte Community.     

Business Leaders of Charlotte (BLOC) held its 13^th Annual Golf Tournament, presented by Mass Mutual of the Carolina's, at Raintree Country Club on May 9^th, 2017.    This was the organizations spring community involvement event, which raised $21,800 for Turning Point.  

Turning Point, the only domestic violence program in Union County, has been in existence since 1985 offering support and advocacy to victims of domestic violence.  In early 1986, a crisis hot line was established. Later that year, the program was expanded to include support groups.  These groups offered a safe atmosphere where victims of domestic violence could express their feelings and learn about the dynamics of domestic violence.  Turning Point’s vision is that all people will have safe and healthy relationships, free from domestic abuse, sexual assault, and child abuse in their homes, schools, workplaces, and communities.   Turning Point exists to end domestic abuse, sexual assault, and child abuse through safe shelter, advocacy, prevention, and social change.

“Both as the Golf Tournament Director and a member of the Turning Point Board of Directors, my deepest thank you to each of you and all of BLOC Nation for the impact you have made on an organization that is doing really valuable and difficult work on a daily basis.....the money IS having a VERY positive impact!”

Scott Babbidge, BLOC Ballantyne Co-Director

                                Turning Point Board Member

Members of the community who would like to join BLOC or contribute to future charity fundraising events can reach out to LOC directly at www.businessleadersofcharlotte.com

Get Ready to Connect, Learn and Succeed at BizCon Charlotte presented by RMS Tech Spa.

Please join us at NOAH’s Event Venue on Thursday, May 4th for a unique business event that promises to provide some helpful tools and information for business professional. You won’t want to miss the dynamic keynote speaker Graham Weihmiller, the Chairman & CEO at BNI, the world’s largest business networking organization.

Connect with other business colleagues over breakfast, lunch and/or our After Hours and grow your network. Attendees can pick and choose which sessions are relevant to their interests and selectively attend the sessions that interest them. With topics focused on businesses in different growth points, this event is truly open to businesses of any size!

EVENT DETAILS

2017 BizCon Charlotte presented by RMS Tech Spa
Thursday, May 4th 2017
NOAH’s Event Venue | 2421 Yorkmont Road
Registration starts at 7:30am
Keynote Speaker presented by Sodoma Law: Graham Weihmiller, CEO BNI Global Support Team 
https://bizconcharlotte.com/attendee-information/

Charlotte, NC. (December 15, 2016) — Charlotte, NC, Networking Group, Business Leaders of Charlotte (BLOC) has raised $28,121.97 for local families in need this holiday season. BLOC Members will distribute the proceeds of the 12th Annual Holiday Fundraiser BLOC n’ Bowl directly to local families in need this Saturday, December 17, 2016. Each family will receive approximately $750 dollars in gifts, $250 Walmart Gift Card (purchased by BLOC), and a $250 Food Lion Gift Card (Donated by Food Lion). Additionally, BLOC Will Donate $12,109.02 to Beds for Kids this Holiday Season with the excess proceeds from BLOC n’ Bowl.

This holiday season is the 15th consecutive year that Business Leaders of Charlotte has committed to adopt local families for the holidays and the 12th year that this effort has been anchored by BLOC n’ Bowl! Over the years, BLOC has been able to provide needs and wishes to families in need along with a holiday meal and groceries.

“It’s truly rewarding to see the results of our collaborative efforts go directly into the hands of local families in need. Our members raise the funds, buy the presents, and then personallydeliver to the families in need.”

• Erika Erlenbach , BLOC PRESIDENT, ATTORNEY MCINTOSH LAW FIRM

For six weeks leading up to BLOC 'n Bowl, teams from all 5 local chapters (Uptown, Ballantyne, North, SouthPark, and Matthews). solicited pledges from friends, family, and colleagues willing to give to those less fortunate so that BLOC members could continue to adopt local families in need. In addition to fundraising, BLOC members volunteer to shop for the families wish list items and deliver gifts directly to the families.

“ This is by far one of the most important things we do for our community every year. It’s amazing to see the gratitude of the families we serve. Getting to meet with them personally and see how much it means to both the parents and the children, inspires us to deliver bigger fundraising goals. You can’t help but to want to do more for local families after you’ve gone to deliver the presents.”

• Scott Donaghy, BLOC Executive Council, Owner, Best In Tech

Members of the community who would like to join BLOC or contribute to BLOC charity fundraising events can reach out to BLOC directly via the website: www.businessleadersofcharlotte.com

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Business Leaders of Charlotte (BLOC) is an alliance of professionals that provides opportunities to build business, grow friendships, and strengthen our community.

BLOC held its 12th annual Golf Tournament on June 6th at Raintree Country Club. The tournament was a huge success! We raised over $17,000 for Mitchell's Fund.

Meg McElwain and Frank Turner, III, established The Mitchell Bays Turner Pediatric Fund in 2012 in honor of their son, Mitchell, who was diagnosed when he was 3 months old with a rare form of Infant Acute Lymphocytic Leukemia. “Mitchie,” as he was affectionately called, died just weeks after his second birthday from liver and kidney failure caused by the chemotherapy and antibiotic medications he took to fight the disease.

Cancer is a big disease for children to have to fight. It was too big for Mitchell.

Mitchell’s Fund serves as a way to support families in need that are facing challenging pediatric diagnoses and helps address the need for education and advocacy to the community at large on what these families face and how to support them.

Business Leaders of Charlotte is an alliance of professionals that provide opportunities to build business, grow friendships, and strengthen our community. The BLOC member network helps both large and small companies located in Charlotte and the surrounding communities. The BLOC membership is a diverse make-up of professionals where each member is guaranteed industry exclusivity. BLOC provides a variety of member benefits. Whether you want to give back to the community, are interested in business networking or just want to socialize and meet new people, BLOC provides an opportunity to get involved. For more information about BLOC please visit our website at www.businessleadersofcharlotte.com