Ingersoll-Rand employees handed a big check to staff at Ada Jenkins Center last Friday, Aug. 27.

Fund-raisers next week to aid Habitat for Humanity, YMCA

Employees at Ingersoll Rand in Davidson competed in a triathlon last month, and ended up raising $60,000 for the Ada Jenkins Center on Gamble Street. Meanwhile, looking ahead at fund-raising events next week: Women of NASCAR are hosting a fund-raising dinner Tuesday, Sept. 7, as they team up to raise money to build a Habitat for Humanity house. And Lake Norman YMCA is seeking donations of items for its annual Community Garage Sale, which is Saturday, Sept. 11. Those events and more in our fund-raising calendar below.

BIG HELP FOR ADA JENKINS

It was an early start on Sunday, Aug. 8, for 83 employees from Davidson-based Ingersoll-Rand Co.. at the Stumpy Creek triathlon in Mooresville. Those who finished would earn a $1,000 donation to the Ada Jenkins Center in Davidson, so Ada Jenkins staff were on hand waving signs and cheering the athletes on.

Many of the participants said, “I have to finish this for Ada!” At the finish line, others lifted their hands in victory and said “$1,000 for Ada!”

In the end, the Ingersoll-Rand’s triathletes raised $60,000 for Ada Jenkins Center. The money will support overall operations of the regional services center, which provides health, social and economic services to low-income people in Davidson, Cornelius, Huntersville and south Iredell County.

The Ada Jenkins Center is a United Way agency and also relies on support from the community. Learn more about how to support the Ada Jenkins Center at 704-896-0471 or www.adajenkins.org.

ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION AT LIBRARY

Davidson’s Library Task Force is in the midst of a $175,000 fund-raising campaign to help play for operation the local library branch this year.  The campaign continues through Sept. 30, with donation forms available at the library, Town Hall, or online at www.savedavidsonlibrary.org.

As the campaign nears an end later this month, the task force will hold a 15th anniversary celebration for the branch on the Village Green on Wednesday, Sept. 29, from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. There will be events all day at the branch, and an evening program.

The current library branch was built in cooperation with the Charlotte Mecklenburg Library, the town and Davidson College.  It replaced a smaller local branch at 212 S. Main St.  Stay tuned for more information about the 15th anniversary celebration.

FUND-RAISING CALENDAR

Amazing Maize Maze at Rural Hill

SEPT. 4-26, Fridays to Sundays, 10 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.; OCT. 1-NOV. 7, Fridays 10-5, Saturdays and Sundays, 10-6:30, Rural Hill farm, 4431 Neck Road, off Beatties Ford Road, Huntersville – Rural Hill presents the annual Amazing Maize Maze, a 7-acre labyrinth with 2 1/2 miles of pathways cut into a cornfield. This year’s theme is the Conestoga Wagon that brought Major John Davidson from Pennsylvania to North Carolina in the 18th century. Admission $10 ages 13+ and $7 for ages 5-12. Children ages 4 and under free. All proceeds benefit the Rural Hill historic site and programs. Details: www.ruralhill.net

Women of NASCAR Habitat Fund-Raiser

TUESDAY, SEPT. 7, 7 p.m., Positano’s Restaurant, Birkdale Village, Huntersville – The Women of NASCAR are teaming up to raise the funds and build a house for a deserving family through Habitat for Humanity. This is their first fund raising event, and it will be an elegant night of fine dining, live music, raffles and a silent auction. Tickets are $50 and are available online at www.ourtownshabitat.org.

YMCA community garage sale

SATURDAY, SEPT. 11, 8 a.m. to 2 p.m., Lake Norman YMCA, 21300 Davidson St., Cornelius – Lake Norman YMCA Dollars for Change Community Garage Sale. Donate items or shop for new ones at the sale. Bring donation to the Y or call to have a Y representative come pick yours up. All proceeds go to the Lake Norman YMCA annual campaign. Call Erin Karp at 704-716-4470 or email erin.karp@ymcacharlotte.com.10:30 a.m.,

21st annual Rotary charity golf tournament

MONDAY, SEPT. 13, noon, Birkdale Golf Club, 16500 Birkdale Commons Parkway, Huntersville – Annual Rotary Club of North Mecklenburg Charity Golf Tournament. Sign-in at noon, shotgun start at 1 p.m. Proceeds benefit the club’s charities, including Cornelius Elementary summer enrichment program, an Argentine water purification project, Latina Literacy Program, North Meck Christmas Project, World Wide polio eradication, area medical transportation, Seed Programs International, The Bin, Grassroots Soccer, USA Flights of Honor, Circle de Luz, and North Meck Senior Center. Entry fee includes golf, lunch, awards and dinner. Register on the web at www.northmeckrotary.org.

Angels of ’97 golf tourney

FRIDAY, SEPT. 17, 2 p.m., Birkdale Golf Club, 16500 Birkdale Commons Parkway, Huntersville – Angels of ’97 will host the Seventh Annual “Puttin’ for A Purpose” Golf Tournament. Teams of four will play in a Captain’s Choice Foursome. The tournament will be followed by an awards ceremony, raffle, and BBQ chicken and pulled pork dinner. Tickets are $150 and include green fee, cart, practice range, drinks and an award ceremony and dinner buffet following the tournament. Angels of ’97 began in 1997 to honor five students who died before their graduations. The organization raises money for local high school seniors wishing to pursue higher education and supports families who have lost a child. Sponsored by McIntosh Law Firm. Contact Cami Meador at camimeador@earthlink.net or 704-526-9301. For more information about Angels of ’97 or to register, visit the organization’s website, angelsof97.com.

Run for Green and Davidson Green Day

SATURDAY, SEPT. 18, 8 a.m., Davidson Village Green, Concord Road and Main Street – The Davidson Lands Conservancy will host its annual 5K, 10K, and half-marathon road races. Registration is now open online at www.davidsonlands.org or at www.queencitytiming.com. Races will cap at 400 runners each, and those who pre-register before Sept. 11 will receive reduced registration fees. The Davidson Green Day Festival will take place following the races, from 9 a.m. to 1 p.m., on the Village Green. Davidson Green – The Davidson Lands Conservancy will host its annual 5K, 10K, and half-marathon road races. Registration is now open online at www.davidsonlands.org or at www.queencitytiming.com. Races will cap at 400 runners each, and those who pre-register before September 11 will receive reduced registration fees. The Davidson Green Day Festival will take place following the races. All activities will promote ways to save money and natural resources at home and in the community. For more information contact Roy Alexander at 704.892.1910 or dlc@davidsonlands.org.

Jason Ray Golf Tournament and Auction

MONDAY, SEPT. 20, 10:30 a.m., River Run Country Club, 19125 River Falls Drive, Davidson – The 2nd annual event will raise money for the Jason Ray foundation, in memory of the former University of North Carolina mascot who as killed in an auto accident 3 years ago while at the NCAA basketball tournament. Registration and golf warm-ups begin at 10:30, and the tournament kicks off at noon. A reception auction and dinner – with motor sports celebrity Bruton Smith as keynote speaker – will follow that night from 5-9 pm. All proceeds raised will be donated to the UNC Hospital Organ Transplant Center. For information about the foundation visit www.jasonray.org. To register, go to www.jasonray.org/events.html.

Lunch for Children’s Rights

TUESDAY, SEPT. 21, noon-1:15 p.m., Crown Ballroom, NASCAR Hall of Fame, 400 East Martin Luther King Junior Boulevard, Charlotte, NC – The Council for Children’s Rights will host the annual Lunch for Children’s Rights. Jonathon Kozol, a prominent activist in education and social justice, will be the featured speaker. Those interested in attending must reserve a seat for $50 or a table for $400 by contacting the Council for Children’s Rights at 704-372-7961. For more information, contact Amy Tribble or Penny Hecht at (704) 372-7961 or by email at penny@cfcrights.org.

Cruise for Change on Lake Norman

SATURDAY, SEPT. 25, 6:30 p.m., Queens Landing, 1459 River Highway (NC 150), Mooresville – “Cruise for Change” fund-raiser for Lake Norman office of United Family Services. Includes drinks, heavy hors d’oeuvres, music, silent auction. Proceeds benefit UFS, which provides domestic violence services to area women. Details: 704-655-8745 or www.unitedfamilyservices.org

Helping Paws Dog Show

SUNDAY, SEPT. 26, 2-5 p.m., Davidson Green,Corner of Main St & Davidson- Concord Rd. – The second annual Helping Paws Dog show will be hosted by local 8th grader Brooke Phillips on the Green. The event will include a non-traditional dog show, chances to adopt shelter dogs, and dog washing. The cost to enter a pet is $10, and a $2 donation for spectators. The event will benefit Project Halo, a no-kill shelter. For registration information or to become a sponsor, go to www.helpingpawsdogshow.org or email info@helpingpawsdogshow.org.

Davidson library 15th anniversary

WEDNESDAY, SEPT. 29, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., Davidson public library branch, on the Village Green – Davidson’s Library Task Force will hold a 15th anniversary celebration at the branch on the Village Green. Events are planned all day at the branch, followed by an evening program. The event will celebrate the branch’s history and help raise money for the task force’s $175,000 fund-raising campaign.

Symphony Concert for a Cause

THURSDAY, SEPT. 30, 7:30 p.m., Duke Family Performance Hall, Knobloch Campus Center, Davidson College – The Davidson College Symphony Orchestra opens its season of fund-raising Concerts for a Cause with pianist Ruskin Cooper performing Rachmaninoff’s Piano Concerto No. 2. The concert is free and open to the public. Donations accepted. Details on the college website

Festival for Hope & Housing

(formerly the Ride for Hope & Housing>

SATURDAY, OCT. 2, 8 a.m., Davidson United Methodist Church, 233 S. Main St. – The Davidson Housing Coalition’s Ride for Hope and Housing this year is the Festival for Hope and Housing. It includes 100K, 50K, and 25K bike rides and a 5K Family Fun Ride or Stride. On the Village Green, the Taste of Home festival will have food from Davidson-based eateries, sponsors’ tables, and live music. Ride registration and more information, CLICK HERE>

TUESDAY, OCT. 5, 7:30-9:30 p.m., Fresh Market, off I-77 Exit 28, Cornelius – Fourth Annual Taste of Art fund-raiser for the Community Arts Project of Cornelius. Wine gala and art auction, with wine, hors d’oeuvres art and fun. Tickets $30. Details: 704-896-8823 or visit Community Arts Project, 19275 Oak St., Unit 1, behind the police station, Cornelius.