Each year, Care Ring brings together our top supporters from across the private, civic, faith, medical and corporate sectors to "Hob Nob" with us and celebrate the difference they are making in reducing disparities for, and improving the health and vitality of, underserved neighbors in our Charlotte community. At this free, by-invitation-only event, guests are treated to delicious local food and beverages, music, and a program highlighting the work we've been able to accomplish thanks to their contributions.
This year's event, presented by Novant Health, took place on Thursday, October 26, 2023 at The Innovation Barn at Envision Charlotte, a leading Charlotte environmental sustainability nonprofit. The theme was "A Sustainable Future," to reflect how our supporters are enabling us to prepare for and be responsive to the ever-changing healthcare landscape and remain innovators in our delivery of services and in addressing both socioeconomic and racial inequities. Keep reading (or watching!) for more event highlights.
Highlight Reel
Enjoy this compilation of key moments throughout the evening, by Duvale Murchison Videography.
Photo Gallery
To view all of our event photos, visit our Photo Gallery. Photography by Michelle M Photography.
EVENT RECAP
The Beats
Care Ring's very own Sunday Shobowale, aka "DJ Sunday," who works as a Community Health Worker in outreach and education, kept our guests entertained on the wheels of steel.
Guests were treated in the Bar area to the musical stylings of collaborative pianist Nia Williams, who is a professionally trained musician AND a current participant in Care Ring's Nurse-Family Partnership program. She was also one of our two client speakers.
Bites & Bevs
Giddy Goat Coffee Roasters's catering department served up SIX kinds of empanadas for guests to nosh on, along with some lighter fare. All food scraps, plates, serveware, and cups were composted to reduce waste, too! Craft beer, fine wine, and non-alcoholic beverages were served by Envision Charlotte partner and tenant Change Please, a nonprofit which provides barista and beverage service training and a fair wage to those escaping domestic violence.
Desserts were delicious, fall-flavored cupcakes by Sweet Pavilion, generously sponsored by Wellcare.
The Program
Our program was kicked off by our Board of Directors Vice Chair, Andrea Wages of Duke Energy. She thanked our sponsors and recognized some of our top funding entities.
Care Ring CEO Tchernavia Montgomery then took the audience through a summary of what Care Ring was able to accomplish in fiscal year 2023 thanks to their support and contributions. Over 7,800 individuals and families in need of healthcare and maternal-child support services improved their health and quality of life this year, and many new partnerships helped us to continue to supply innovative programs that meet our community's needs.
Sponsor Speakers & Door Prize Winners
Our program continued with remarks from some of Care Ring's top Corporate Champions and the drawing of some door prizes which were donated by local businesses.
Jennifer Snow with Atrium Health and a member of the Care Ring Board of Directors gave remarks and also drew the winning door prize ticket for services at CJ Wax Studio, which was won by William Hadley, who also serves on our Board.
Drew Bradshaw with Bank of America and a member of our Board of Directors also spoke and drew the winning ticket for a gift basket from The Butler's Pantry, which was won by Wyanette Williams, mother of our client speaker Nia Williams and a professional doula.
Our third door prize winner of the night was Jacob Wiltshire with The Leon Levine Foundation. He won an assortment of merchandise from 704 Shop.
Testimony from our Client Ambassadors
Our next speaker was Nia Williams, who in addition to being one of our musicians for the evening spoke about her experiences in the Nurse-Family Partnership program receiving pregnancy and parenthood support services for her second child, Sage. She stated that even though this was her second child, she learned a tremendous amount from her nurse, Anita, who was in the audience along with Nia's mother and two children to cheer her on.
Our second ambassador was Kenny Robinson, Founder & Executive Director of Freedom Fighting Missionaries, an organization that assists formerly incarcerated and criminal justice involved persons with reentry by achieving self-sufficiency through sustainable services and resources. He spoke about the mentoring that our CEO Tchernavia Montgomery had done with him as he began his nonprofit journey and the positive difference the partnership between our two organizations has made to provide dignified healthcare to those seeking a second chance at life.
Maribelle Connerat Award
Named after our founder, the Maribelle Connerat Award recognizes a person or group who demonstrate an outstanding commitment to improving community health. This year's winner was the Novant Health Community Connect Team for their significant contributions of time and talent to assisting Care Ring with the installation of and training in the electronic patient records and communications system, Epic.
Chere Gregory, MD, who spoke on behalf of Presenting Sponsor Novant Health congratulated the team and emphasized the importance of partnerships like those between Novant and Care Ring in improving health equity in our community.
PRO Practice of the Year Award
Charlotte Eye Ear Nose & Throat Associates (CEENTA) received the Physicians Reach Out Practice of the Year Award for their extremely generous donation of care over the years to over 2,000 of our uninsured, low income patients. Jewel Greywoode, MD, an otolaryngologist with CEENTA, PRO provider, and member of the Care Ring Board, accepted the award.
The Big Reveal
Our program concluded with an invitation for all those who are involved with the Physicians Reach Out program to come up to help us unveil how much "PRO" care had been donated since the program's founding in 2004 - an astounding $408 MILLION - all thanks to the vision and generosity of local physicians and healthcare systems.
Other Fun Stuff
Guests had a blast having their 360 degree photo and video made with props from Ohh Snaps Media Group. Guests also competed for silent auction items donated by local businesses with the auction raising $2,870 for our programs. Lastly, presenting sponsor Novant Health provided free reusable portable straws for guests to take home to reduce waste.
Thank You Volunteers!
Our events are not possible without the hard work and dedication of our staff and volunteers. Thank you to Alexa Montgomery and Abraham Hernandez Mujica, former and current interns with Care Ring for your invaluable assistance on the day of the event; and to the many Care Ring staff for helping with planning, setting up our five program display tables and other event areas, and breaking down.
We'd also like to acknowledge the wonderful staff at Innovation Barn and Change Please for going above and beyond to ensure our event went smoothly.
Our events are made possible thanks to the support of our Corporate Champions. Our top investors are below.
Check out the full list here.
Thank you to our civic partner:
If you have any questions about this event, contact jandrews@careringnc.org.