Fayetteville NC is designated as an All American City. There are many reasons for this, not the least of which is the plethora of charitable organizations and local businesses located there, which support many military causes and dozens of others ranging from fighting hunger to curing diseases.

Here are just a few examples of the local businesses and the people that staff them, that produce so many charitable successes in the area.

Karen Link, successful Mary Kay Director (recently qualifying to drive her 12th Mary Kay Car) participates in every charitable project the Mary Kay organization helps promote and there are plenty of them.

Link says, “One of my favorite organizations to support is Soldier’s Angels, which provides aid to the active duty and veteran men and women of the armed forces. I grew up as the daughter of a soldier and I married a soldier and we live 10 miles from one of the most famous bases in the world, so you can see why this would be a very special organization to me.”

Mary Kay consultants across the country support Soldiers’ Angels. As a Mary Kay Independent Beauty Consultant, Link describes how she helps by collecting and sending donated Mary Kay Skin Care products to be distributed to soldiers who help keep the country safe. She agrees that too often these soldiers are based in extreme conditions with limited access to supplies for sun protection and healthy skin. Link feels it is very rewarding to participate in this endeavor and puts it this way, “Our donations help ensure that real, useful, helpful products like these are available to provide a measure of relief to those in the midst of so much stress. I am honored to support Soldier’s Angels!”

Michelle L. Shortsleeve-Garcia, Senior Loan Officer at Movement Mortgage tells us, “Movement Mortgage is in the business of fulfilling the American Dream on a daily basis. The company is always giving back to individual communities through different divisions such as VERG, Movement’s Veteran’s Employee Resource Group.” VERG currently is partnering with Brothers in Arms and fundraising to pay off the mortgage of a Marine customer, Staff Sergeant Kerry Kemp, killed in a Blackhawk helicopter crash in Florida. It is called Operation Kemp and will benefit his surviving spouse and family.

Movement is a well-established mortgage company in Fayetteville NC and staff members like Shortsleeve-Garcia are a big reason.  She coordinates open houses, stages educational events on home financing, guides customers through the mortgage process and then makes time to volunteer for local charitable events. One such successful event promoted was the Lupus Foundation of America’s Walk to End Lupus Now-TM.

The Lupus Foundation of America raises funds for research, increasing awareness and support for those that suffer with the disease. Shortsleeve-Garcia was personally involved in recruiting volunteers, raising funds and helping to coordinate and run the event which raised thousands of dollars for the cause. Shortsleeve-Garcia sums it up this way, “Life, including work, is about making a difference!”

The Cape Fear Center For Digestive Diseaes(CFCDD) is a private gastroenterology practice, not associated with Cape Fear Valley Hospital, whose providers are Dr. Wes Jones, Dr. Christian Chung, Dr. Sanjeev Slehria, Dr. Rakesh Gupta and Dr. Bryan Uslick. They have a philosophy which includes raising awareness about prevention and treatment of colorectal cancer, so it is logical and generous for them to support events such as the national Relay for Life and the local Ribbon Walk and Ride cancer events.

Link, Shortsleeve-Garcia, and CFCDD are all members of a local Christian business group called Business Builders Network. BBN is composed of local businesses that pool energy and resources to help local businesses improve their operations and grow more profitable by serving more people. They use that same formula toward charitable causes in the local area sponsoring fundraisers for: military vets, curing childhood diseases, people with physical challenges such as lung transplants and helping different existing local charities.

Don Matheson, BBN President puts it this way, “Our organization is built on the premise that we are all in this community together. Our members are dedicated to improving themselves, their businesses and the community, because a rising tide lifts all ships.”

Some other Fayetteville NC industries represented in BBN are:

Optician: SEEK Eye Care
Opthamologist/Orthokeratologist: Eye Medics
Business Cards and Signs: Biz Card Xpress
Real Estate Association: Queen Wheeler, President
Food Delivery: SpeedWaiter
Bridal Services: Blush Bridal
AR-15 Gun Sales/ Parts: Build or Buy AR
Concealed Carry: Geary Chlebus
Photography: Amanda Delgado Photography
Financial Services: Kraig Osborne, Edward Jones
Auto Insurance: Carolina Planning
Mobile Dry Cleaning: Valet Dry Cleaning and Laundry
Carpet Cleaning: Pro Touch
Attorney Services: Legal Shield Dennis Russell
Restaurant: Spinners Pizza
Employing People With Disabilities: Kaleo Supports
Web Designers: Multi-Media by Chris
Online and Offline Marketing: Matheson Consulting
Nutrition and Health: Isagenix Associates Brian and Jen Malcolm

For more on BBN, visit their website: www.businessbuildersnetwork.net