A new type of drive thru is coming to Union Point Park

Todd Wetherington, Sun Journal
·3 min read
Representatives gather for a photo during the 2018 Giving Tuesday event at the North Carolina History Center in New Bern.
Representatives gather for a photo during the 2018 Giving Tuesday event at the North Carolina History Center in New Bern.

Looking for a way to show appreciation for your favorite local charity during one of their most important times of year?

The second annual "Carry it Forward” Giving Tuesday event will be held on November 30 at Union Point Park from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. In addition to a live concert and food trucks, the event will feature a drive-thru donation line for local nonprofits that will open at 10:30 a.m.

Guests who choose to drive through the donation line will be directed through a one-way traffic pattern beginning at the entrance of Union Point Park. Local nonprofits will greet attendees and provide information at separate stations around the park's circle drive.

Financial contributions from event sponsors will be divided equally and donated to the registered nonprofits. This year’s lead sponsors are B/S/H, Donna & Team New Bern (Keller Williams), and Wade Associates.

This year’s event is presented by the New Bern Chamber of Commerce and the New Bern Giv3 Committee, the GivingTuesday advocate group for the New Bern area.

New Bern Giv3 Committee Co-Leader Erin Langley said as of Monday 34 nonprofits had confirmed they would be present at Union Point on Nov. 30, though that number was expected to increase.

Langley said the New Bern area nonprofits deserve their day of celebration and recognition.

“Our community is a better place because of all of the services, programs, and resources that these nonprofits provide throughout the year,” said Langley. “We hope that our community comes out to show support and unity. After all, we are stronger together.”

The day will begin at 10 a.m. with a GivingTuesday ceremony on the center stage followed by a live concert by Country music artist Bryan Mayer. Food vendors will also be on hand.

The” Carry it Forward” event is held to raise money and generate awareness for the many nonprofit organizations operating in New Bern and the surrounding areas and to celebrate GivingTuesday, the internationally recognized day of charitable giving held on the first Tuesday following Thanksgiving.

The local Giving Tuesday event changed formats to a drive-thru donation celebration in 2020 because of COVID-19.

This will be New Bern’s eighth consecutive GivingTuesday event.

Local nonprofits confirmed for the Nov. 30 "Carry it Forward” event are: Abundant Life Community Services, Inc, Arts to End Genocide, Atlantic Dance Theatre, CarolinaEast Foundation, Catholic Charities/New Bern Regional Office, Christ Episcopal Church, Coastal Women's Shelter, Craven Community College Foundation, Craven County Hospice, Craven Pamlico Reentry Council, Craven Smart Start, Inc, Faith Connection, Fellowship Of Christian Athletes, Fitness with Community 4 A Better Life, Habitat for Humanity of Craven County, Interfaith Refugees Ministry, Mediation Center of Eastern Carolina, MERCI Clinic, New Bern--Craven County Public Library, NMDSO & Bear Town Paddle Battles, One Million Goal, Inc., Paws of War - Eastern NC Chapter, Promise Place, Realize U 252, Religious Community Services, Reviving Lives Ministry, Swiss Bear, Inc., The Filling Station Inc., Tried By Fire Inc., True Justice International, Tryon Palace Foundation, Inc., Twin Rivers YMCA, United Way of Coastal Carolina, Veterans Employment Base Camp and Organic Garden.

For more information on Giving Tuesday visit www.givingtuesday.org

This article originally appeared on Sun Journal: Union Point celebration offers way to give back to local charities