Casey Costner, coordinator of the Holiday Giving Drive, at First Citizens Bank in Denver, was proud to show off the donations the bank branch was able to receive from employees and clients during the 2020 holiday season. Casey echoed the sentiment of the other branch employees when she said they were thankful to be part of something so special this year and they truly love giving back to their community. For their Holiday Giving Drive, First Citizens collected items for children who will be spending time at home during the Christmas break to help keep them busy, active, and provide them with stress-free holiday fun.

Moms and Munchkins in Lincolnton identified a family in need this holiday season and referred them to Duke Energy. Duke is paying for the family to spend Christmas night at the Great Wolf Lodge in Concord, and providing Christmas dinner, gifts, and a Christmas tree to the family. Moms and Munchkins is a free, nonprofit adolescent parenting program that provides support, assistance, education and encouragement to young moms and their children. The Owl’s Nest in downtown Lincolnton also provided Christmas decorations to be used to get the family’s room at the Great Wolf Lodge Christmas ready!

Royal Bliss Brewery continues to bless Lincoln County with their Holiday Coat Drive collecting over 180 new and gently used coats, vests, scarves, and toboggan hats for Lincoln County families this Christmas season. United Way of Lincoln County is blessed to have a partner in Royal Bliss, and we look forward to the work we will do together in the future. The coats were distributed to families in need, school children, families identified on angel trees, and others.

Due to our generous donors from Gilleland Realty, Bank of the Ozarks, and Sherrill, Blake, Harrison CPA, PA of Lincolnton,  United Way of Lincoln County was able to provide 15 Lincoln County families with Christmas meals, gifts, and other blessings.

United Way of Lincoln County has been blown away with gratitude and appreciation at the number of people and businesses giving back this Christmas season. 2020 has been a difficult and trying year for many families living in Lincoln County which has been alleviated through the sense of community and goodwill that has been shown by many of you this year. It is stories like these that should make us thankful to live in this close-knit community that continues to support those in need.