Community Involvement
At UNC Wellness Centers, one of our core goals is to contribute positively to the community, and it drives our community involvement. We’re dedicated to helping our community be a healthier place to live, work and play. We make it a priority to contribute to a wide range of charitable programs and events. A few of the programs and organizations that UNC Wellness Centers support are:
UNC Wellness Centers Medical Fitness Scholarship
The UNC Wellness Medical Scholarship Fund (MFS) was established to help individuals facing financial and medical hardships to reap the benefits of exercise in a medical fitness setting. Since its inception, over 100 individuals have received MFS awards. To date, the total amount of money raised and awarded to participants is over $250,000.
Local Charities
We support and sponsor organizations/schools that are raising money for a good cause. We have donated over $100,000 of in-kind donations since we opened in 2002. Our goal is to assist nonprofit organizations, especially those that support health and wellness, as well as those organizations within our demographic region. All requests for in-kind donations must be made in writing and submitted in advance of the event. Please send all donation requests to wellness@unchealth.unc.edu.
Bike MS
For cyclists and all those seeking a personal challenge and a world free of MS, Bike MS is the premier fundraising cycling series in the nation. Team UNC Wellness participates in the National MS Society to help mobilize people and resources, drive research for a cure and to address the challenges of everyone affected by MS.
American Heart Association Heart Walk
The Heart Walk is the American Heart Association’s premiere event for raising funds to save lives from this country’s No. 1 and No. 4 killers – heart disease and stroke. Designed to promote physical activity and heart-healthy living, the Heart Walk creates an environment that’s fun and rewarding for the entire family.
Blanket Orange County
Blanket Orange County has become an annual event that is greatly welcomed and appreciated by the Inter-Faith Council and our homeless residents who want to stay warm during the winter months. Hundreds upon hundreds of blankets have been donated by friends of Blanket Orange County over the years that are used by residents at Community House and HomeStart. These blankets are also provided to unsheltered persons who sleep outdoors when shelters are full on cold winter nights.
SECU Family House
SECU Family House provides housing, healing and hope to families with an adult patient being treated for a critical illness or injury at UNC Hospitals or its affiliated clinics. We provide these families access to UNC Wellness Centers during their stay at the SECU Family House.
American Red Cross Blood Drives
Donating blood is a simple thing to do, but it can make a big difference in the lives of others. UNC Wellness Centers hosts several blood drives each year.
Health Fairs and Community Events
UNC Wellness Centers give our time by participating in local health fairs and various community events. We also hold our own Health and Wellness Expo annually to further educate our community about health and wellness.
Healthiest You Challenge
WCHL and Chapelboro, along with UNC Health Care and UNC Wellness Centers, help 64 challengers on their journey to an active and healthy lifestyle. Participants receive a free six-week membership at UNC Wellness Centers, along with group coaching, progress monitoring and access to health education programs. At the end of the challenge, the 1st place male and female participants will each win a one-year membership to UNC Wellness Centers!
Orange County Schools Operation Stuff the Bus Campaign
Operation Stuff the Bus is a campaign run by Orange County Schools in partnership with UNC Hospitals, UNC-Chapel Hill and Wal-Mart of Hillsborough. As a department of UNC Hospitals, UNC Wellness Centers at Meadowmont serves as a drop-off location for this campaign and asks our employees, members and community to donate school supplies for kids in need.
Share Your Holiday Campaign
The Share Your Holiday program is a UNC Health program in which UNC Wellness Centers participate. UNC Hospitals’ Employee Recreation Committee identifies employees and their families who are experiencing extraordinary financial difficulties. Employees apply to Employee Rec and are recommended by their managers for inclusion in this program. The UNC Wellness Center community (members and employees) is invited to donate gift cards to make the holidays brighter for these families.
Pedal for Peds
The UNC Wellness Centers has supported and hosted the Pedal for Peds event since 2014. This cause is near to our hearts as it is a day of celebration dedicated to children battling cancer and blood diseases. We honor those that have survived cancer and take time to remember those that have lost their loved ones. It is dedicated to bringing awareness to childhood cancers and blood diseases. The funds raised from this event specifically benefit the families and caregivers that have been or are a part of our UNC Hospitals’ Pediatric Hematology Oncology division.
Tar Heel Youth Triathlon
UNC Wellness Centers hosts the Tar Heel Youth Triathlon. Kids Tri NC is a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization dedicated to providing multisport activities for youth in North Carolina. Their mission is to promote youth fitness and fun through multisport activities. Proceeds from their events support local youth development and sports programs including Girls on the Run of the Triangle, Be Loud! Sophie Foundation, Triangle Bike Works and the University of North Carolina Triathlon Club. They also provide financial assistance to participate in their races and clinics for kids who could not otherwise participate.
Ramblin’ Rose Women’s Triathlon
UNC Wellness Centers at Meadowmont was where the first Ramblin’ Rose event took place back in 2006. Ramblin’ Rose Women’s Events, produced by Endurance Magazine, are designed to “Celebrate the Empowerment of Women.” The Ramblin’ Rose Chapel Hill benefits the Girls on the Run of the Triangle. Girls on the Run® is a 501(c)3 non-profit organization dedicated to creating a world where every girl knows and activates her limitless potential and is free to boldly pursue her dreams. Meeting twice a week in small teams, they teach life skills through dynamic, interactive lessons and running games.
