News Digest for Town of Carrboro, NC 

(Dec. 10, 2025) 

This Saturday, we recognize Braxton Foushee Day in Carrboro. Town staff members met at IFC earlier this week to volunteer in honor of this special day. If you're able, consider making a donation or act of service for local non-profits that support education, mentorship, and life skills development for at-risk youth, all of which are a lifelong focus of Mr. Foushee. A special treat in this issue, we are sharing photos from our tree lighting ceremony and the holiday parade last weekend. Wonderful to see so many of our neighbors participating in these town holiday traditions! Bundle up and come on out for the 2nd Friday Art Walk! 

Braxton Dunkin Foushee Day of Service 2025

The Town of Carrboro will recognize Saturday, Dec. 13, as Braxton Dunkin Foushee Day of Service in Carrboro in his honor and for gratitude for his service to the town. 

Residents are encouraged to learn and reflect on Carrboro’s Black history and perform an act of service. 

Town Manager Patrice Toney commissioned the Town’s leadership to volunteer on Monday, Dec. 8 at Inter-Faith Council for Social Service.  She is also encouraging ongoing volunteering at non-profits that support education, mentorship, and life skills development for at-risk youth, all of which are a lifelong focus of Braxton Dunkin Foushee.

Learn more about how you can celebrate Braxton Dunkin Foushee Day.

Town of Carrboro Management volunteers at IFC

Putting principles of service into action at the Inter-Faith Council for Social Service (IFC) today (Dec. 8, 2025) at 110 W. Main St. 

Members of the Town of Carrboro Management Team led by Town Manager Patrice Toney volunteered at the IFC to assist with sorting and labeling donated food in advance of the Braxton Foushee Day of Service, which will be celebrated locally on Saturday, Dec. 13. Thanks to Jackie Jenks, IFC President and CEO, for having us! 

The IFC's Community Market makes available fresh produce, pantry staples, and hygiene items at no cost to households where someone lives or works in Chapel Hill or Carrboro. 

See the list of current needs of the IFC Community Market at https://www.ifcweb.org/services/food-pantry 

Happy Holidays! 

The Carrboro-Chapel Hill Community Holiday Parade (12/6/2025) -- a cherished tradition that marks the start of the holiday season -- brought neighbors together to watch the procession of festive, frolicking fun rolling, walking and strutting through our downtowns! 

This year, the parade reversed course, starting in Carrboro and ending in Chapel Hill. Where did you watch from? How was your parade experience?

Photos by Jonathan Drake.

Carrboro Annual Holiday Tree Lighting 

Community members came out for the Annual Carrboro Holiday Tree Lighting Ceremony on Friday, Dec. 5, 2025. The crowd was large -- in spite of the chilly night! Many thanks to the McDougle and Carrboro elementary school choirs for singing their hearts out! 

We plan to post out some short videos so that you can hear the tunes and get in that festive spirit of the holidays! Thank you to Carrboro Recreation, Parks & Recreation Department for once again putting on a wonderful event, to the Public Works Department for their artistry with lights, and to the Carrboro Community Garden Club for the beautiful wreaths. We also appreciate the provision of coffee/hot drinks and cookies provided courtesy of the Hampton Inn of Carrboro. 

Photos by Eve Greene 

December Holiday Service Schedule

The Town of Carrboro will observe the holidays Dec. 24-26 and Jan. 1.

Town Hall and other administrative offices will be closed. 

Please note the changes to residential trash collection for the week of Dec. 22-26.

• If your regular collection day is Wednesday - Your trash will be collected on Monday, Dec. 22.
• If your regular collection day is Thursday - Your trash will be collected on Tuesday, Dec. 23.
• If your regular collection day is Friday - Your trash will be collected on Monday, Dec. 29.
• Yard waste and bulk waste will not be collected for the week of Dec. 22-26.

For changes to recycling collection visit: https://www.orangecountync.gov/1741/SWM-2018-Holiday-Schedule

CARE Team honored 
with Rooted in Results Award

The CARE Team -- a partnership among the Carrboro Police Department, Chapel Hill Police Department and Orange County -- has received the Rooted in Results Award from the Central Pines Regional Council (CPRC). 

 The team was among those recognized by the Central Pines Regional Council during its celebration of regional leadership, innovation, and partnership at its 2025 End of Year Celebration & Golden Pinecone Awards, an event held in Durham on Dec. 4. 

Rooted in Results Award presented to the Crisis Assistance Response & Engagement (CARE) Team 

A partnership among the  Carrboro Police Department, Chapel Hill Police Department and Orange County the CARE Team provides a non-law enforcement response to behavioral health challenges, substance use, intellectual/developmental disabilities, and other non-emergent needs. The program launched in May 2024. 

Combining crisis counselors, peer support specialists, and community EMTs—with support from an embedded 911 crisis counselor—the program has already responded to 1,983 events and served 981 individuals. After a successful first year, the program expanded to the Town of Carrboro and is currently building a second team to extend its service hours. This collaboration exemplifies problem-solving across community lines. 

Join the 2nd Friday Art Walk on Dec. 12

Join the 2nd Friday Art Walk around downtown Carrboro and Chapel Hill on Friday, Dec. 12. 

Explore art galleries, artist studios, shops and restaurants. There will also be live music, performances, spoken word poetry and more. Venues are generally open late afternoon and evening hours. Exhibits at Carrboro Town Hall and the Drakeford Library Complex are open from 6 to 8 p.m. 

Check out the participating venues and their exhibitions.

Master Your Meter and Save with Home Repair Lab and OWASA

Are your energy and water bills through the roof? Wondering if there are easy ways you can make a difference to save energy and water? We have a solution for you!  

Join Chris and Mindy Meyers from Home Repair Lab and Mary Tiger from OWASA for a special presentation on Tuesday, Jan. 27 from 6 to 7:30 p.m. at the Drakeford Library Complex, 203 S. Greensboro St. 

This workshop will discuss easy ways you can save energy and water and how to get those bills under control.  Participants will leave this program with an understanding of how your home uses water and energy, low- to no-cost things you can do to save money on your utility bills, and helpful tips to get started on larger home projects. 

Relevant for homeowners, first-time home buyers, and renters. Presentations will be followed by interactive question and answer sessions. A giveaway bag with energy-saving supplies will be given to each registered participant! 

• Please RSVP with our online form.  
• Free interpretation services are available. Please contact Laura Janway at ljanway@carrboronc.gov or (919) 918-7326 at least 48 hours in advance to ensure an interpreter is present.

Town of Carrboro accepting applications for human services nonprofit funding

On Friday, Dec. 12, the Town of Carrboro will begin accepting applications for human services nonprofit funding for Fiscal Year 2026-2027. Prospective applicants will have two opportunities to learn more about the application and the funding process.

Application Orientation Session

Provides an overview of the funding process and guidance to applicants using the online platform.

Friday, Dec. 12, 2025
9 a.m. - 12 p.m.   
Location: Orange County - Richard E. Whitted Building, 2nd Floor
Donna S. Baker Meeting Room
300 West Tryon Street
Hillsborough, NC 27278

Virtual Q&A Session 

Provides a forum for applicants to ask questions and receive clarification on any aspects of the application or the funding process.

Friday, Jan. 9, 2026
9-10 a.m.
Registration is required. Please register online here.

The funding application will be available online starting Dec. 12, 2025, through this portal: Form Application Center - Town of Chapel Hill, NC. 

Applicants should complete and submit their applications and supporting documents by 5 p.m. Friday, Jan. 16, 2026. 

For more information, visit Human Services  | Carrboro, NC - Official Website  or contact Anne-Marie Vanaman at 919-918-7321 or email amvanaman@carrboronc.gov. 

Buy BIPOC this Holiday Season

The Town of Carrboro invites everyone to support locally owned businesses that reflect the diversity of the community this holiday season. 

The Buy BIPOC campaign running this December highlights minority-owned businesses and encourages the community to shop local. As you’re out shopping this holiday season, consider supporting Carrboro’s BIPOC Businesses.

Carrboro has a vibrant and inclusive local economy that is home to many BIPOC businesses and nonprofit organizations. The Town aims to support the growth of BIPOC business and the community as a whole. Our town's diversity in race, ethnicity, language, gender identity, education, and culture is an important part of what makes our town unique. Inclusive, equitable growth is fundamental to our economic sustainability.

In the Carrboro Connects Economic Sustainability plan, the Town sets a goal to "create a more inclusive economy, encourage more racial equity in business development, and increase support for locally-owned businesses."

To find a full listing of Carrboro BIPOC businesses you can support this holiday season, visit the Economic Development webpage to see the Buy BIPOC database:  https://www.carrboronc.gov/2582/Buy-BIPOC-Listing

Save the Date: Carrboro Event Honoring Martin Luther King Jr.

Join us on Saturday, Jan. 17, 2026, at 1 p.m. in Century Hall located at the Carrboro Century Center, 100 N. Greensboro St. Carrboro, NC 27510 to hear from speakers and friends of the community gather for the Martin Luther King Jr. Celebration. 

Activities include trivia, youth speakers, Performances by Sisters Voices Choir and SkyBlew, and more!

This youth led event strives to bring the community together to celebrate the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. 

Dr. Martin Luther King Day Youth Poetry Exhibition

Celebrate the life and legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. by submitting a poem to be a part of our Dr. Martin Luther King Day Youth Poetry Exhibition. Elementary, Middle and High School students in Orange County, NC are invited to submit original poems emphasizing Dr. King's core values such as kindness, acceptance, compassion, social justice, unity, equality and civic responsibility. 

Selected submissions will be displayed at the poetry exhibition, and one participant will be awarded the opportunity to speak at the Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Day event on Saturday, Jan. 17. 

Participation is free, and submissions are now being accepted online. For more information and to submit a poem, please review the online entry form.

Town Council Update

CARRBORO, NC --The Carrboro Town Council will meet next at 6 p.m. Tuesday, Jan. 6,  2026. 

The Town Council meets at Carrboro Town Hall, 301 W. Main St. Members of the public are welcome to attend in person or can view the livestream www.YouTube.com/CarrboroNC  

• The agenda is available at  https://carrboro.legistar.com/Calendar.aspx
• Access the livestream direct link to view the meeting at https://www.youtube.com/live/0uFOpIAC63Y?si=_RSKk5XIQPr7Fz2u

Past Meeting Recap 

The Carrboro Town Council met on Tuesday, Dec. 2, 2025 for an organizational meeting to take their oaths of office.  See the story above! 

Watch the meeting livestream at https://www.youtube.com/live/g2lavy4GI0U?si=YBgN0dCUsdZ9U7fy 

Check out our Monthly Events Newsletter to discover all the exciting programs and special events that are coming up!  

2025 Fall Recreation, Parks and Cultural Resources Program Guide 

The Carrboro Recreation, Parks, & Cultural Resources Department’s Fall program brochure is now available! This includes registration for the 2025-2026 Youth Basketball Leagues.

Learn more about the Program Guide and How to Register.