Giving Tuesday is an annual global day of generosity that takes place on the Tuesday following Thanksgiving. It is a movement that encourages people to give back to their communities and support causes they care about through donations, volunteering, or other acts of service. The day serves as a counterpoint to the consumerism of Black Friday and Cyber Monday, sparking a surge in year-end donations for nonprofits worldwide.
ECO-RENAISSANCE: WEST END RISING
This Giving Tuesday, help us build a healthier, cleaner West End — one business, one block, one breath at a time.
Imagine walking down Beatties Ford Road and seeing cleaner sidewalks, breathing fresher air, and feeling neighborhood pride again. Right now, the air can feel heavy — heat, traffic, and trash left too long in the sun. That’s the vision behind EcoRenaissance: West End Rising — restoring environmental dignity, health, and sustainability to Charlotte’s Historic West End.
Data from SolNation’s Historic West End Waste Study and Mecklenburg County’s 2024 State of the Community Health Report show a clear pattern: foam and plastic containers dominate litter across the corridor — and the pollution they create directly affects the air and water quality residents depend on.
According to Mecklenburg County’s 2024 Health Report:
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West End residents face higher rates of asthma, heart disease, and hypertension.
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Black residents are 2.5x more likely to live near major roadways and pollution sources.
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Exposure to chemicals from foam containers can worsen respiratory and cardiovascular conditions.
Sources: SolNation Historic West End Waste Study (2025); Mecklenburg County State of the Community Health Report (2024).
“Environmental justice impacts us, it kills us, and it shortens our lifespan. We deserve to breathe. We deserve to live in a free, carefree environment.” — Tammy Hill, Hyde Park
For longtime residents like Tammy, the lack of green space, persistent litter, and plastic waste aren’t abstract problems — they’re daily realities. “This is a place where we live. If we have cleaner areas, then people view the community differently,” she shared. After more than 20 years of environmental justice work, she dreams of the day when she can tell her grandson, “This is something your grandmother was a part of to make a difference — a cleaner space for you.”
YOUR DONATION POWERS CHANGE!
This Giving Tuesday, SolNation is launching The Green Fund — starting with a goal to raise at least $1,000 to help one to two Black-owned West End businesses switch to eco-friendly to-go containers and utensils.
When businesses go green — even in small ways — it has a ripple effect: cleaner streets, healthier families, and safer communities.
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$25 = replaces 200 foam boxes with compostable containers (average $0.12 per container)
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$50 = helps a small restaurant pilot a week of eco-friendly utensils and cups
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$100 = supports a full menu category switch (plates, bowls, or cups)
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$250–$1,000 = funds a complete transition for one business, covering packaging, utensils, and training on sustainable disposal
Impact estimates are based on current bulk prices from compostable packaging suppliers; SolNation will purchase in bulk to stretch every dollar. Environmental justice isn’t just about saving the planet — it’s about saving ourselves.