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Making Children's Dreams a Reality
Our Story
Our Story
In the fall of 2018, good friends, JoAnn Blackwood, Ashley Firth, and Victoria Putnam pursued a dream of creating a 501c3 organization that would sponsor children and youth who wanted to pursue competitive areas in dance, sports, cheer and performing arts. They envisioned a place where others could help these competitive children raise funds allowing the child or youth to grow and thrive no matter their financial situation. They wanted those kids - Champions- to be able to train, compete and realize their dreams without the financial burden that can come with those dreams. With many hours of work and pure love, Competitive Champions of the Carolinas (3C) came to life October 1, 2018 and began to thrive tremendously in 2019.
With growth in volunteers and fundraising events, the Board of Directors of 3C also had to grow. The 3C Board of Directors was led by JoAnn Blackwood as President; Stacey Engelbrecht as Vice President; Victoria Putnam as Secretary; Tami Pettigrew as Treasurer; and Kim Nearpass, as Volunteer Liaison. Each one of these extraordinary women brought a different view and perspective to the group, which has allowed 3C to prosper.
Year 2021 brought even more growth in Volunteers and Fundraising Events! The Board of Directors grew again to keep up with the expansion into the Triad region of North Carolina . The 2022 Board of Directors was led once again by JoAnn Blackwood as President; Stacey Engelbrecht as VP of Operations, with Amy Leggett on her Team as 3C's Secretary; Ashley Firth as VP of Volunteers with Marissa McNamara and Brigitte Pitts on her team; Tami Pettigrew as VP of Finance with Kim Nearpass on her team. Victoria Putnam has moved to our Advisory Committee where she will continue to advise 3C on important matters as she pursues HER dream of becoming a Nurse Practitioner!
With continued growth in 2022 in North and South Carolina, 3C established 5 Regions : Charlotte, Triad, Raleigh/Durham in North Carolina and Greenville and Charleston in South Carolina. The 2023 Board of Directors was led by JoAnn Blackwood as President; Stacey Engelbrecht as VP of Operations with Brigitte Pitts on her Team as 3C's Secretary; Ashley Firth as VP of Volunteers with Marissa McNamara and Mandi Martinez on her team; Tami Pettigrew as VP of Finance with Kim Nearpass on her team. The Advisory Committee was expanded with Wendy Roper, and later Paula Imes and Crystal Robinson. Victoria serves as an inactive member of our Advisory Committee as a Founding Member of 3C.
3C has continually grown through 2023 into 2024. The 2024 Board of Directors is lead by Joann Blackwood (President), Marissa McNamara (Vice President Operations), Brigette Pitts (Secretary/ Operations/ Volunteers), Mandi Martinez (Vice President Volunteers), Tami Pettigrew (Vice President Finance), Kim Nearpass (Finance Team), with our advisory committee members Wendy Roper (Advisory), Paula Imes (Advisory), Crystal Robinson (Advisory), Jackie Knapp (Advisory), Stephanie Short (Advisory), and Laura Fongheiser (Advisory).
We are serving over 600 Champions in our 5 Regions. 3C will work to grow the 3 newest Regions in 2024 to spread our Mission and Vision to as many Champions as possible.
Our Mission
Our Mission
The mission of Competitive Champions of the Carolinas is to support CHAMPIONS in competitive dance, cheer, gymnastics, sports and performing arts through donations and fundraising.
The success of 3C and the ability to achieve our goal of sponsoring our CHAMPIONS depends on the support of our donors, volunteers, volunteer leads and our Board of Directors.
Our Vision
Our Vision
Helping champions fulfill their dreams.
Helping champions fulfill their dreams.
Our Founders
Our Founders
Ashley Firth
Ashley Firth
JoAnn Blackwood
JoAnn Blackwood
Victoria Weaver
Victoria Weaver
Victoria Weaver- Founder 3C
Victoria Weaver- Founder 3C
My name is Victoria Weaver. I am a registered nurse in a surgical trauma unit. I have a daughter named Rose, who is 16 years old and will be a junior high school student this year. She has been competing in dance since the age of 4 and recently became a member of the marching band. Volunteering with 3C has allowed me to let my daughter continue her dance dreams.
As a Board Director I worked towards the growth of the organization with more venues, more volunteers, and getting our name out into the public.
I have decided to take a step back from active Board Directorship to pursue a dream of my own in becoming a Nurse Practitioner.
My hope is still for all kids to be able to make their dreams become a reality with the scholarships that are raised for these amazing champions. I believe that I can still have an impact working in the background as an Advisor for 3C.
Ashley Firth- Founder 3C
Ashley Firth- Founder 3C
My name is Ashley Firth, and I am one of the Founders of Competitive Champions of the Carolinas, “3C” . I am overjoyed at the growth of 3C.
My name is Ashley Firth, and I am one of the Founders of Competitive Champions of the Carolinas, “3C” . I am overjoyed at the growth of 3C.
When JoAnn, Victoria and I first started 3C, we had no idea if 3C would make it but we prayed it would. We kept pushing forward and now 3C has been blessed to have distributed over a million dollars in scholarships to all our amazing champions.
When JoAnn, Victoria and I first started 3C, we had no idea if 3C would make it but we prayed it would. We kept pushing forward and now 3C has been blessed to have distributed over a million dollars in scholarships to all our amazing champions.
I have 4 adorable champions of my own: Kaidence, Paisleigh, Cullen, and Rhys. When I first started volunteering with another group, I was a stay-at-home mom, but I didn’t want to keep my girls from doing something that made them so happy, but the cost of dance was so much. I had a friend tell me about a non-profit that helped with dance costs through volunteering. I had my sister give this lady a call because I was terrified and didn’t know what to say. I was pregnant with my 4th child and feeling overwhelmed from what I was about to get myself into.
I have 4 adorable champions of my own: Kaidence, Paisleigh, Cullen, and Rhys. When I first started volunteering with another group, I was a stay-at-home mom, but I didn’t want to keep my girls from doing something that made them so happy, but the cost of dance was so much. I had a friend tell me about a non-profit that helped with dance costs through volunteering. I had my sister give this lady a call because I was terrified and didn’t know what to say. I was pregnant with my 4th child and feeling overwhelmed from what I was about to get myself into.
Well, that lady was JoAnn, and we quickly became friends. I later became part of the Board of Directors for that group as well. As time passed, it seemed like we needed to move into a new and different direction. I asked JoAnn if we could start a non-profit of our own. She described how hard it was going to be. She was nervous for us but she and I believed we could do it and we did!
Well, that lady was JoAnn, and we quickly became friends. I later became part of the Board of Directors for that group as well. As time passed, it seemed like we needed to move into a new and different direction. I asked JoAnn if we could start a non-profit of our own. She described how hard it was going to be. She was nervous for us but she and I believed we could do it and we did!
I now fundraise for my 4 children. Kaidence, my oldest, dances and cheers competitively. Paisleigh dances competitively and is in competitive gymnastics. Cullen plays travel baseball. Rhys is my baby at just 6 years old and hasn’t found his thing yet.
I now fundraise for my 4 children. Kaidence, my oldest, dances and cheers competitively. Paisleigh dances competitively and is in competitive gymnastics. Cullen plays travel baseball. Rhys is my baby at just 6 years old and hasn’t found his thing yet.
I am married to a wonderful man named Dusty! He has volunteered a few times but mostly he helps with the kids while I do the fundraising. He supported our journey of starting 3C from the very beginning. He kept the kids distracted while I have phone/video meetings for 3C and even tagged along for 3C Board retreats. I think he is an incredible man.
I am married to a wonderful man named Dusty! He has volunteered a few times but mostly he helps with the kids while I do the fundraising. He supported our journey of starting 3C from the very beginning. He kept the kids distracted while I have phone/video meetings for 3C and even tagged along for 3C Board retreats. I think he is an incredible man.
I am a firm believer that God can move mountains and he has most certainly done this for 3C. I pray for 3C to continue to grow and help all the other champions out there. I know there are so many families who need 3C so their champions can fulfill their dreams. Money should never stop them from obtaining what they love to do. Now let’s see where 3C will go next!!!
I am a firm believer that God can move mountains and he has most certainly done this for 3C. I pray for 3C to continue to grow and help all the other champions out there. I know there are so many families who need 3C so their champions can fulfill their dreams. Money should never stop them from obtaining what they love to do. Now let’s see where 3C will go next!!!
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