Happy New Year, Knothole friends! As the calendar turned from 2025 to 2026, I’m thrilled to jump right into the new year with community events and more ways to make a difference. That’s what Knothole is all about. That’s why I’m here.
Back during my days as VP of Communications for the Charlotte Knights, I always loved when the staff would occasionally make their way around the community volunteering and helping those in need. Now, with Knothole, that’s what daily.
Our goal each and every day is to provide access and opportunities to underserved youth in our area. We’re located in West Charlotte, so it’s very important for us to give back to our neighbors.
In December, during our first-ever Flag Football tournament — thanks to a great partnership with New Age Flag Football — we collected food for our first-ever Food Drive. The food collection has continued into the new year — and so has the distribution.
In December, we spent a few hours distributed food for over 100 families at Wilson STEM Academy — just down the road from The Stick.
On Wednesday, January 14, we partnered with Nourish Up CLT and welcomed them to The Stick to pick up food to distribute to those in need. In all, they picked up 1,728 pounds of food from us on that day. It’s great knowing that this food will go to people who really need it. That’s the goal.
Baseball and softball are our specialty — but we are so much more. We are education. We are helping others. And, for me, it’s the perfect place to be.
Special thanks to Angels & Sparrows for all of the help with our Food Drive and for all of your donations! You are truly a great organization!
Special shoutout to Gerlea Patton and Matthew Corlew on all of the work in putting this Food Drive in motion!
On that note, we’re always looking for more help. Volunteers, sponsorships and more are important. You can always reach out to me: tommyviola@knotholecarolinas.org.
