A Different Kind of Holiday Greeting: Help Choose This Year’s Charity
While I love seeing all the festive holiday cards arrive in the mailbox this time of year, I celebrate the season by sending my holiday wishes a little differently—by learning about the causes that matter most to you.
A few years ago, I started a tradition of taking my annual holiday card budget and putting it toward a donation to a nonprofit chosen by our community. Because of your thoughtful nominations, I have been fortunate to support an incredible lineup of organizations over the years, including: Note in the Pocket, Ducks Unlimited, Wounded Warrior Project, All-In to Fight Cancer, Green Chair Project, The V Foundation for Cancer Research, and Samaritan’s Purse.
Last year, your nominations were so inspiring that we ended up supporting two incredible local nonprofits—Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (SPCA) of Wake County and Shepherd Youth Ranch—to kick off 2026. Now, it’s time to add another name to that list, and I need your help deciding who it should be.
How It Works…
Instead of mailing Christmas cards, I’ll be making a donation to one charity that YOU help choose.
Here’s how you can be part of it:
- Step 1: Think about a nonprofit that’s meaningful to you—local to Raleigh, the Triangle, or anywhere in North Carolina is especially welcome.
- Step 2: Share your favorite charity with me (and a quick note on why you chose them) by filling out the form below.
- Step 3: I’ll review all of the nominations and select this year’s charity based on your recommendations.
Important Dates
- Nominations close: Wednesday, Dec. 23, 2026
- Recipient announced: Early January 2027, when we’ll officially make the donation to kick off the new year on a giving note.
More than anything, this tradition is a reminder of how deeply our Triangle community cares and shows up for one another. Thank you for your continued trust, your support, and for introducing me to the organizations making a real difference right in our backyard.
Happy holidays! Let’s make this year’s gift count.