The first graduating class of the Cardinal (Cary) Chapter of the National Charity League was recently recognized during a Senior Salute at Prestonwood Country Club. These 11 young women from Cary and the surrounding area have donated a total of 850 hours of community service during their four years in NCL. Charities including the N.C. Senior Games, the Ronald McDonald Houses, Interfaith Food Shuttle, Jimmy V Foundation and Special Olympics have benefited from this service organization.

National Charity League is one of the longest established service organizations in the country. In 1925, a small group of women interested in philanthropic work founded the Charity League in Los Angeles.

National Charity League Inc. comprises over 140 Chapters in 15 states.

It is the only mother-daughter volunteer force of its kind serving local communities.

The idea for starting a Cary chapter of the National Charity League began in 2004. As co-founder Carol Armstrong recounts, “I thought it sounded like a terrific organization to help foster the mother-daughter relationship during my daughter’s teenage years as well as a valuable lesson for her in responsibility and philanthropy.” Carol took the idea to her friend, Michelle Pavliv, who spread the word about NCL to her friends. The Cardinal Chapter was soon founded in May 2004.

The chapter began with only 18 mother-daughter teams. In just three years the Cardinal Chapter grew from 18 teams in grades seven-nine to close to 100 mother-daughter teams in grades seven-12. It started with helping only six philanthropies and now helps 16.

For information about the National Charity League, visit nationalcharityleague.org. For information about the Cardinal Chapter, visit nclcardinalchapter.org.