🌱 TikToker Raises $6K For McDonald's Worker + Christmas Deep Freeze

Hello all. It's me, Alexis Goring, your host of the Charlotte Daily — back in your inbox with everything you need to know about what's happening in our community today. In today's issue of the Daily, we'll cover these stories and more:

• A TikToker based in Charlotte, raised $6,000 to surprise a local McDonald’s worker.
• A CMPD officer who suffered a medical emergency at his home Monday died in the hospital.
• It’s been more than 20 years since the Carolinas have seen a Christmas as cold as this year’s.

But first, today's weather:

A.M. rain; otherwise, cloudy. High: 44 Low: 36.

Here are the top four stories in Charlotte today:

1. A TikToker based in Charlotte, raised $6,000 to surprise a local McDonald’s worker. If you watch the now-viral video, you'll see local real estate agent Maceon McCracken documenting a recent trip to McDonald’s with her dog Wynnona. When McCracken arrived, the burdened employee expressed her joy of seeing her that day because she was having a rough day. The comments section on social media "blew up with support for the employee." When one person wrote,“Can we get a go fund me for McDonald’s worker and surprise her with some money for the holiday? Maybe she’s behind bills," that post received more than 20,000 likes. McCracken "raised $6,305 in 48 hours " and gifted that money to the employee, WBTV reports. (WBTV)
2. "A Charlotte-Mecklenburg police officer who suffered a medical emergency at his home Monday died in the hospital. ... Officer Dean Lauber was rushed to the hospital after suffering a medical emergency at his home on Dec. 19. ... Lauber, who joined CMPD in 2001, served in the Independence Division," WCNC reports. (WCNC.com)
3. "Blue Star Mothers of Charlotte is encouraging community support for military families in our area. Fostoria Peirson, an army mom and president of the local Blue Star Mothers chapter, says they could use donations and non-perishable items. The group of mothers and grandmothers periodically puts together care packages to send overseas to deployed family members," WCCB Charlotte reports. (WCCB Charlotte)
4. "It’s been more than 20 years since the Carolinas have seen a Christmas as cold as this year’s will be. Severe Weather Center 9′s Ashley Kramlich says the deep freeze we’ll see for the holiday will tie for the seventh-coldest Christmas on record. ... A major cold front approaches on Friday morning, bringing a blast of cold air and a low potential for a few snowflakes in the afternoon. If it happens, it would likely be just a dusting. If you’re planning to travel Friday, leave as early as you can — though we won’t see any issues here, several states are expecting a major snowstorm ... temperatures on Christmas Eve and Christmas Day will drop to the teens," WSOC-TV reports. (WSOC-TV)

Today in Charlotte:

• Gingerbread Lane at the Ballantyne Benefitting Levine Childrens Hospital (11:00 a.m.)
• Light the Knights on Truist Field (12:00 p.m.)
• Winterfest at Carowinds (5:00 p.m.)
• JAZZ ROOM Holiday Edition: Duke Ellington’s Nutcracker Swing at Belk Theater (6:30 p.m.)
• Nutcracker: Charlotte Ballet at Belk Theater (7:30 p.m.)

From my notebook:

• Latest Pets Available For Adoption In The Charlotte Area (Charlotte Patch)
• Trying times - tips to protect your job (WCNC.com)
• Restaurants Charlotte lost in 2022 (Axios Charlotte)
• Get ready to workout from your chair (WCNC.com)
• Holiday entertaining ideas (WCNC.com)
• Join the fight against blood disorder (WCNC.com)
• Officers from the Independence Division had their first Community Christmas party at their division office last Sunday. They had music, refreshments and even Santa arrived to give out toys to around 300 children...(Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department via Facebook)
• This year's annual SANTA sightings will begin earlier this year. After checking with air traffic control and our Emergency Management partners...it looks like SANTA is arriving in the Mecklenburg area around 8:00 p.m. on Christmas. (Charlotte Fire Communications "Fire Alarm" via Facebook)
• Happy Holidays from Charlotte Fire Communications! (aka ALARM) As mentioned earlier this week, we have some fun planned this year for ALARM. We had 'cookie day' and our folks had a cookie decorating contest. (Charlotte Fire Communications "Fire Alarm" via Facebook)
• Grab your Valentine and join the CSO in the taproom for a diverse range of works, led by Resident Conductor Christopher James Lees, on Feb. 14 at 7:00 p.m. >> bit.ly/csoontap (Charlotte Symphony via Facebook)
• Time for the Freedom School staff yearly group photo! Thank you to all our partners, scholars and families, Servant Leader Interns, volunteers, and donors for making 2022 a year to remember. (Charlotte Freedom School Partners via Facebook)
• This year was packed full of amazing moments, but here are our #Top9 social media moments recapped! 1. Celebrating women on #InternationalWomensDay! 2. Kicking off the Open Call for our 2023 Cities Program! (ArtPop Street Gallery via Facebook)
• Our thoughts are with the Charlotte-Mecklenburg Police Department and the family of Officer Dean Lauber, a 21-year law enforcement veteran who passed tragically yesterday. (Charlotte-Mecklenburg District Attorney's Office via Facebook)
• Watch Walter Sanders share why he supports Sustain Charlotte. We can’t do what we do without the community! We plan to keep up the hard work in 2023. As a nonprofit, support from folks like Walter who want to make a difference...(Sustain Charlotte via Facebook)
• Submitting a service request only takes seconds so you won’t miss a moment with the ones you love. Download the CLT+ app today to submit bulk waste pick up, right or way street obstructions, broken street lights...(City of Charlotte Government via Facebook)
• We are in URGENT need of paper towels! Visit our House #Amazon link below to help or drop off donations at the House 7 days a week between 8:00 A.M. and 8:00 p.m. (Ronald McDonald House Charities of Greater Charlotte via Facebook)
• ICYMI: Our Meg Fencil was on WCNC Charlotte's “Flashpoint” this weekend to talk about our wish list for Charlotte Area Transit System. “If we don’t make sure our bus service is fast, frequent, reliable, and walkable...(Sustain Charlotte via Facebook)

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You're all caught up for today. I'll see you tomorrow!

— Alexis Goring

About me: My name is Alexis A. Goring. I'm an East Coast Girl with a pulse for people, news and feature stories! I've worked as a freelance writer/editor/proofreader in the media industry for 15 years. I'm also a published author, experienced blogger, and founder of Writer at Heart Editorial Services. Visit my website for more details about me and my work. Here's the link: https://alexisagoring.jimdofree.com.

Have a news tip or suggestion for an upcoming Charlotte Daily? Contact me at charlotte@patch.com