Gaston Together: Communities of Excellence

Happy National Senior Citizens Day! If there is an older adult in your life, plan a fun day to share with them! Or visit those who may have difficulty leaving their homes.

It’s National Book Lovers Day! A great way to get connected is to join a book club and share your favorite books!

What's your favorite book?

Celebrate families of all types today!
•Plan an activity
•Sharing a meal
•Give them a call
•Write them a letter

We are excited to share we now have a monthly newsletter! Each month we'll share our favorite articles and podcasts, news, events, featured programs, and more. Check out the July newsletter for a glimpse into what to expect each month!

Gaston Together July 2024 Newsletter   JULY NEWSLETTER   This Month's Featured Program What is LEAD? A voluntary pre-booking diversion program which allows law enforcement to redirect eligible low-level offenders to

The Civic Engagement Leadership (CEL) program was featured in Gaston Lifestyle Magazine! Read theJuly/ August Issue at https://www.gastonlifestyles.com/ to learn more about Gaston County.

And make sure to check out page 26 to learn more about Gaston Together and CEL!

Gaston Lifestyles Magazine Publication covering life in Gaston County and beyond. Digital copies available.

National Deflection Week aims to raise awareness about deflection, educate local communities, and highlight the significant impact of deflection-focused organizations on social problems within our communities.

Deflection - an alternative to justice system involvement - includes police referral programs that connect people with substance use disorders and mental health conditions to treatment and services.

Celebrate July 14-20!

To learn more about our LEAD Program use the link below:
https://www.gastongov.com/1182/Law-Enforcement-Assisted-Diversion-LEAD

To donate supplies to benefit their clients see the LEAD Wishlist here:
https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/35C0NP7BFQJIY/ref=hz_ls_biz_ex

We’ve earned our Gold Seal of Transparency with Candid! Get updates on our impact through our https://www.guidestar.org/profile/shared/64873ba9-1389-470c-998d-d97a17467ba7

Today is National Give Something Away Day! Here are a few ideas for how to participate:
•Pay it forward
•Plan a food drive
•Clean out your closet

It’s National Cheer Up the Lonely Day. You could send a card, make a call, or plan a visit to someone who you think might be lonely.

What are some other ways you could cheer someone up?

Happy National Best Friends Day! Let your best friend know they’re important to you!
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You can also use today as a reason to reach out and reconnect with old friends!

Today is National Game Show Day! You could:
▪️Invite friends over to watch your favorite game show
▪️Call a family member and talk to them about a game show you both like
▪️Post about your favorite game show on social media and ask if anyone else likes it

What's your favorite game show? Comment below!

It’s National Do Something Good for Your Neighbor Day! Here are a few ideas for how to participate:
•Do a random act of kindness
•Wave Hello!
•Ask how their day is going

May is mental health awareness month. Take time to focus on self care, connect with others, and check in with friends and family.
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Visit Gaston Together's loneliness resource page for mental health tools and resources.
gastontogether.org/lonelinessresources
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Check out the GCSC website for resources related Substance Use Disorder.
gcsctogether.org/resources
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Visits SAMHSA to learn more about Mental Health Awareness month.
samhsa.gov/mental-health-awareness-month

It's International Dance Day! You could take a dance class! Invite some friends over for a dance party Or, you can even put on your favorite song and have a dance party by yourself!
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Check out dance classes at the Adult Recreation Center in Gastonia or at the Gaston County Senior Center.
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Adult Recreation Center
https://gastonianc.gov/images/May_2024_ARC.png
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Gaston County Senior Center
https://www.gastongov.com/542/Monthly-Calendar

Happy Earth Day! Connect with people while helping the Earth. You could participate in a recycling or trash cleanup activity in your community.

It's not too late to donate through the Community Foundation Run!
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Your donation through the Community Run is more than just a gift. It is an investment in the community that you call home.
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With the help of the Community Foundation Matching Funds, your donation will have an even greater impact. Please consider making a gift to Gaston Together.
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You can help us to bring Gaston Together.
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Learn more and donate cfgaston.org/learn/community-foundation-run

Don't wait to donate! Designate your Community Foundation Run donation to Gaston Together by April 22nd.

Learn more and donate at cfgaston.org/learn/community-foundation-run

The Community Foundation Run is tomorrow, April 13th!
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Your donation through the Community Run is more than just a gift. It is an investment in the community that you call home. With the help of the Community Foundation Matching Funds, your donation will have an even greater impact. Please consider making a gift to Gaston Together.
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You have until April 22 to make a donation. Learn more and donate at cfgaston.org/learn/community-foundation-run

National walking day was last week. Were you able to go for a walk with a friend? If not, you can walk at the Community Foundation Run on April 13!
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The Run is on April 13th. You can make a contribution between now and April 22nd.
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Learn more and donate https://cfgaston.org/learn/community-foundation-run
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Don’t forget to designate your donation to Gaston Together!

Today is national walking day! Take a walk and explore your community!

See if a friend or family member wants to join you on a walk! Or look for walking groups in your area to meet some new people!

Today is national walking day! Take a walk and explore your community!

See if a friend or family member wants to join you on a walk! Or look for walking groups in your area to meet some new people!

We enjoyed presenting to First Baptist Church of Gastonia last night! First Baptist Church of Gastonia, thank you for letting us give our Just Call presentation!
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If you are interested in scheduling a Just Call presentation, please visit gastontogether.org/just-call

Gaston Together is one of the nonprofits that gets a percentage of donations collected through the Community Foundation Run.
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The Run is on April 13th. You can make a contribution between now and April 22nd.
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Learn more and donate at cfgaston.org/learn/community-foundation-run

Thank you to Teens Changing Gaston County for letting us present about Gaston Together and Just Call!

The group learned about our programs and what to do during an overdose emergency. They also got stickers, and two lucky winners won t-shirts in a t-shirt raffle!

Thank you to the Gaston Community Foundation, Inc. for funding the Just Call program and letting us present to TCGC!

When you participate in the Community Foundation Run, you are supporting Gaston Together!�•�You can make a contribution between now and April 22nd. The Run is on April 13th.�•�Learn more and donate https://cfgaston.org/learn/community-foundation-run