North Carolina

‘Diaper Bank’ helps support families in North Carolina

Published

5 months ago

August 8, 2024

‘Diaper Bank’ helps support families in North Carolina

Any parent knows how expensive and necessary it is to buy diapers for their children, but there’s a larger conversation to be had about the very real impact of parents not being able to afford diapers.

Now, there’s help for some families thanks to the Diaper Bank of North Carolina.

Venessa Diaz is a young mom with three kids, but she’s smiling more easily these days knowing what her family has overcome.

When her son Raul was two years old, he was hospitalized with acute pancreatitis. Beyond the emotional and financial stress, Venessa worried how she was going to get enough diapers to cover all of her children.

“It was a lot, and without the diaper bank, I don’t think we would have made it through that time,” Diaz said. “I feel like it really just took a lot of pressure off at a time where we were most vulnerable.”

There’s no government assistance for diapers, and they’re not covered by WIC or food stamps — the cost adds up.

“Families are literally making choices between buying food or buying diapers and every single time, they will choose to feed their children and try to make those diapers lasts as long as they can,” said Michelle Schaefer-Old, the founder of the Diaper Bank of North Carolina. “So we’re seeing babies left in one diaper a day, families rinsing out and reusing diapers.”

Schaefer-Old started the bank in the Durham area in 2013. In 2022, they opened a warehouse in Charlotte.

“People are not aware that the need is there. Because it’s embarrassing to talk about,” she said.

About 76% of the families served by the diaper bank work one to three jobs, and they still can’t afford basic hygiene items like diapers.

Diaz told Channel 9′s Elsa Gillis she wouldn’t have been able to work if she didn’t have a diaper supply to drop off with her child.

“Because if you don’t have diapers there, [day care] won’t take your kid,” she said.

All of these years later, the commitment remains to spreading the word that help is available.

“It comes down to dignity, and dignity should not be a privilege,” Schaefer-Old said.

You can get more information about the Diaper Bank of North Carolina at this link.

(VIDEO: Iredell County organization works with local businesses to provide diapers for struggling families)

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North Carolina

2024 photo galleries: Businesses hit hard by Helene in Western North Carolina

Published

1 hour ago

December 26, 2024

Press Room

2024 photo galleries: Businesses hit hard by Helene in Western North Carolina

Businesses in Western North Carolina took a hit after Helene hit on Sept. 27, causing unemployment to skyrocket. For example, before Helene, only around 5,000 were unemployed in the Buncombe County, but after the storm over 13,000 people out of work, according to a report from the North Carolina Department of Commerce.

Fraser fir farmers

Christmas Cottage

Asheville Tea Company

River Arts District

Ellaberry Llama Farm

Corner Kitchen

Zillicoah Beer Co.

Asheville breweries

US Reps. tour Asheville’s River Arts District

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North Carolina

NC Lottery Powerball, Lucky For Life results for Dec. 25, 2024

Published

10 hours ago

December 26, 2024

Press Room

The NC Lottery offers several draw games for those aiming to win big. Here’s a look at Wednesday, Dec. 25, 2024 results for each game:

Winning Powerball numbers from Dec. 25 drawing

15-26-27-30-35, Powerball: 03, Power Play: 3

Check Powerball payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Lucky For Life numbers from Dec. 25 drawing

04-10-35-42-45, Lucky Ball: 02

Check Lucky For Life payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 3 numbers from Dec. 25 drawing

Day: 8-0-0, Fireball: 3

Evening: 7-3-2, Fireball: 2

Check Pick 3 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Pick 4 numbers from Dec. 25 drawing

Day: 9-0-3-0, Fireball: 7

Evening: 9-3-8-4, Fireball: 7

Check Pick 4 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Cash 5 numbers from Dec. 25 drawing

03-09-28-39-40

Check Cash 5 payouts and previous drawings here.

Winning Double Play numbers from Dec. 25 drawing

01-11-15-18-22

Feeling lucky? Explore the latest lottery news & results

Are you a winner? Here’s how to claim your lottery prize

All North Carolina Lottery retailers will redeem prizes up to $599.

For prizes over $599, winners can submit winning tickets through the mail or in person at North Carolina Lottery Offices. By mail, send a prize claim form, your signed lottery ticket, copies of a government-issued photo ID and social security card to: North Carolina Education Lottery, P.O. Box 41606, Raleigh, NC 27629. Prize claims less than $600 do not require copies of photo ID or a social security card.

To submit in person, sign the back of your ticket, fill out a prize claim form and deliver the form, along with your signed lottery ticket and government-issued photo ID and social security card to any of these locations:

Asheville Regional Office & Claim Center: 16-G Regent Park Blvd., Asheville, NC 28806, 877-625-6886 press #1. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
Greensboro Regional Office & Claim Center: 20A Oak Branch Drive, Greensboro, NC 27407, 877-625-6886 press #2. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
Charlotte Regional Office & Claim Center: 5029-A West W. T. Harris Blvd., Charlotte, NC 28269-1861, 877-625-6886 press #3. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
NC Lottery Headquarters: Raleigh Claim Center & Regional Office, 2728 Capital Blvd., Suite 144, Raleigh, NC 27604, 877-625-6886 press #4. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes of any amount.
Greenville Regional Office & Claim Center: 2790 Dickinson Avenue, Suite A, Greenville, NC 27834, 877-625-6886 press #5. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.
Wilmington Regional Office & Claim Center: 123 North Cardinal Drive Extension, Suite 140, Wilmington, NC 28405, 877-625-6886 press #6. Hours: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. Monday through Friday. This office can cash prizes up to $99,999.

Check previous winning numbers and payouts at https://nclottery.com/.

When are the North Carolina Lottery drawings held?

Powerball: 10:59 p.m. Monday, Wednesday, and Saturday.
Mega Millions: 11 p.m. Tuesday and Friday.
Lucky for Life: 10:38 p.m. daily.
Pick 3, 4: 3:00 p.m. and 11:22 p.m. daily.
Cash 5: 11:22 p.m. daily.

This results page was generated automatically using information from TinBu and a template written and reviewed by a Carolina Connect editor. You can send feedback using this form.

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North Carolina

Santa Claus swaps reindeer for alpacas at farm in Waynesville

Published

21 hours ago

December 25, 2024

Press Room

Santa Claus swaps reindeer for alpacas at farm in Waynesville

WAYNESVILLE, N.C. — At Winchester Creek Farm, Santa Claus traded in his traditional reindeer for alpacas during the farm’s Santa Tour on Monday.

The event offered visitors a unique opportunity to pose for photos with Santa and interact closely with the farm’s animals.

The farm also featured a large mailbox for children to send their letters to Santa. Luanna Baldwin, a mother from Canton, expressed her delight with the experience.

“This was a great outing to take the girls for some Christmas magic,” Baldwin said. “They’ve been asking to see Santa, write a letter specifically, so that was super fun.”

At Winchester Creek Farm, Santa Claus traded in his traditional reindeer for alpacas during the farm’s Santa Tour, which concluded on Monday, Dec. 23.

WLOS via CNN Newsource

In addition to the alpacas, the tour allowed guests to feed and pet various other farm animals. Farm Manager Ashley Edwards highlighted the joy the event brings to visitors of all ages.

“We have people come in who are in their 60s, 70s, and above who have never touched a chicken before, and I’m able to provide that kind of happiness to their hearts to their soul, and I think it’s great,” Edwards said. “This is a memory people aren’t going to forget.”

Winchester Creek Farm has been hosting the Santa Tours for the past six years. Although this year’s event has ended, the farm offers tours throughout the year.

Winchester Creek Farm operates as a year-round working farm, raising animals primarily for the fiber produced by their coats.

SEE ALSO | Schools closed for winter break: Family fun things to do

Featured video is ABC11 24/7 Livestream

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