For many years, CSD has sent an envelope home with the youngest child enrolled in a family as part of a fundraiser. Inside each envelope are 20 CSD Community Cards worth 10 dollars each and labeled with 22 local stores and restaurants in the Lake Norman area.
Students are asked to sell all of the cards they receive, but if they cannot, the family may either pay for the cards that weren’t sold or return them. Only one envelope of cards gets sent to each CSD family, so if a family has multiple children enrolled at the school, the task of selling is often divided.
With approximately 900 family units across all 12 grades, the hope is to raise $180,000 for school programs through the fundraiser.
The card can be used at any of the businesses shown on the card. Benefits vary, there are some free offerings (such as an appetizer or beverage) at restaurants and others typically offer either one time or recurring discounts between 10% – 20%.
“My parents pay for the cards upfront and then I hand them out to our neighbors for free,” Keenan Addis said (‘25), “I usually use the card at Sabi and Whits.”
Selling and giving out the cards permits the school to connect with the local community and helps build relationships.
Selling or distributing the cards also shows a form of role modeling. Distributing the cards sets a great precedent for the younger students to be more involved within the school community.
Community Cards are also available at the front desk of both schools.
Participating businesses for the 2023–2024 school year include
Our Town Cinemas
Poke Lakes
Handel’s
PitaPit
Mandolino’s
Sabi
Main Street Books
Brixx
77 Grounds
Whit’s
Mama’s Pizza Express
Ben & Jerry’s
Clean Juice
Sabor
Kung Fu Tea
Carrburritos
Fresh Chef
Tenders
Famous Toastery
New York Bagels Deli
Milkbread
Summit Coffee
