“In GOD We Trust”
Don’t Forget Your Valentine See pages 12 & 13 www.shelbyinfo.com
Our 42ND Year • Issue No. 6 • February 6, 2025
704-484-1047
Teddy Bear and Friends hold barbecue sale to benefit North Shelby School By Alan Hodge
school for students with significant levels of disabilities,” SteWhat do you get when you vens said. Students range in age from combine caring volunteers, deserving special needs students, kindergarten to 22 years. There and over 1,000 barbecued are 67 students. Students are chicken halves with all the fixins’? placed at the school following recThe answer is the Teddy Bear ommendation from their Individand Friends Chicken Dinner at ual Educational Program Team. “We have a rigorous course of North Shelby School. For over 20 years, Carl “Teddy study tailored to their individual Bear” Fortenberry and his friends needs,” she said. “We also have have held an annual chicken din- college classes here where stuner fundraiser for the senior class dents can learn vocational skills.” The school mascot is a Musat the school. This past Friday saw them repeat that awesome tang and the mottos “Mustangs act of love. The event raises Have Character” and “Our belief money each year for a special is that all students can learn” are trip to Myrtle Beach for school apt descriptions, not only of the students but the dedicated staff seniors. Principal Paula Stevens talked as well. The chicken barbecue event about the school. started out small and has grown “The school’s roots go back over the years into one of Cleveover 50 years,” she said. “It used land County’s most successful to be north of Shelby and was and heartwarming charitable hapcalled the Children’s Center.” Despite its name, the current penings. Fortenberry described sparkling clean and modern build- the chronology of the cause. “The idea started in 2004 ing was completed seven years when my friend Robert Hunt and ago and is behind James Love I started it,” said Fortenberry. Elementary School south of Hwy. “We were members of the HarU.S. 74, just off N.C. 150. ley Owners Group in Gastonia “We are a special purpose and had done a similar event for West St. School there. Later I was at the old school (Children’s Center) and a child there told me she wished we would do a beach trip for them.” The beach trip itself is one that is in many ways a dream come true for the students who go. “This year a dozen seniors will make the trip,” Volunteers Cindy Cabaniss (left) and Pat said Fortenberry. McDonald with one of the delicious desserts that “Most of them were part of the chicken plates. McDonald baked have never been over 20 cakes herself. to the beach or
Volunteers are the driving force behind the annual Teddy Bear and Friends Chicken Dinner. Founder and organizer Carl Fortenberry (blue ball hat) and North Shelby School principal Paula Stevens (denim jacket) with some of the volunteers who made the benefit possible. Photos by Alan Hodge
Here’s Doug Fortenberry (center) and his crew of chicken cooks. been away from home overnight. We will stay at a nice hotel. We will take them out to eat and give each one fifty dollars to spend at places like Broadway on the Beach. We will also go out on the pier. They all have a ball.”
Stevens praised the benefit. “It is a wonderful event,” she said. “School staff helps with the chicken sale. They love the kids.” According to Stevens, the beach trip is super safe. “It is very well supervised,” she
said. “Some of the adults that go along include retired North Shelby School staff.” Volunteers make up the main body of folks who run the event. This year over a dozen folks in See TEDDY BEAR, Page 2
In Honor of Jimmy Carter Because he opened so many doors for Habitat for Humanity, we have an opportunity for people to write a message of appreciation for the former president. “What he did for Habitat for Humanity is immeasurable and this is a small way for us to be able to recognize and remember.” It allows people to share how much they appreciate Carter and the ways he changed lives with his volunteerism and service. We want everyone to have a chance to pay tribute and honor President Carter. Stop by our ReStore to write a message on our Memorial Wall in his honor.
323 W. Grover St., Shelby, NC
704-482-6289 HABITATFORHUMANITYCC.COM Store Hours: Mon.-Fri. 9am-4pm • Sat. 9am-3pm