Red Cross

They are helping by giving money to people affected by the fires. The store’s Hot Topic, Honda, and Starbucks are collaborating with the Red Cross. People who buy from these places can donate money too. According to the Red Cross, millions of dollars have been given to people affected by the fires.

Fire Aid LA

In tribute to the people who lost their lives in the fires in Los Angeles, these people are getting together to sing for a week. They raise money for people who lost everything in the fire. Fire Aid LA was on January 30, 2025. The performance was at the Kia Form. Artists Billie Eilish, No Doubt, P!nk, Green Day, Olivia Rodrigo, and more performed at Fire Aid LA.

Anyone who misses the live concert can watch it on YouTube Channel.

It’s great that everyone is doing something to support Los Angeles, California.

Metro

All Metro buses in Los Angeles California and Metro trains give free rides to people in need.

Salvation Army

Some people have come to the Salvation Army Thrift stores to give out bed covers and new clothes.  These people affected by fires need new clothes to wear and bed covers when they are cold. If someone buys other items from the Salvation Army, they give money to people affected by fires in Los Angeles as well.

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People need help with food, shelter, and clothes and shelters are doing their best to help out. Homes Shelters have been developed people can go to Hart High School, 24825 Newhall Ave Santa Clarita, and Valencia High School 27801 Dickson Dr. Valencia. People who are affected by the fires evacuation even have shelters for their animals at Lancaster Animal Care Center, 5210 W Ave 1, Lancaster

Palmdale Animal Care Center, 38550 Sierra Hwy, Palmdale.

Big animals can evacuate to shelters at Pierce College, 6201 Winnetka Ave, Woodland Hills

Ventura County Fairgrounds, 10 E Harbor Blvd, Ventura

Los Angeles YCMC and Restoration Life Church

People give out a pack of water bottles to places to give out to people affected by fires. These people who are affected by fires do need water to help stay alive.

It is good that people are coming together to help people who are affected by fires. People are giving things they do need shows how connected we are as a community and that we can overcome any hardship thrown at us.

“This body butter was amazing; it smelled so yummy and the smell is long lasting. I had a pimple on my temple, used it and the next morning the pimple vanished.”

A customer said giving the product 5 stars.

The ingredients used are all from natural products that are proven to be beneficial for skin, hair, and body. The ingredients like aloe vera, aloe water, sunflower, rose hip, shea butter, and many more are all used and locally sourced. Paul Baily is very passionate about the products he uses and their greater purpose they can do to help the human body. These products have been meticulously created and researched to bring the customer the best experience.

Blackgold Works is a company with a passion for providing healthy alternatives to use on your skin, body, and hair. All ingredients have been researched and put together to make sure the customer has the best outcome to help with their skincare and hair needs. As the company grows, it hopes to branch out worldwide to give everyone a chance at a new healthier alternative for skincare and hair.

Many more new products and services are in the works, so please go and check out the website below if you are interested in seeing with this company has to offer.

https://www.blackgoldworks.com

Amanda M. Lloyd 

Executive Vice President and Chief People Officer 

ALloyd@NorthStateBank.com 

919.855.9925 

RALEIGH, N.C. . . . North State Bank (the “Bank”) named Brittany Moore a commercial loan portfolio manager for the Bank’s Downtown Raleigh office, announced Amanda Lloyd, North State Bank executive vice president and chief people officer. Moore will help businesses access the funding they need to start or grow their company. 

“Brittany is a welcomed addition to our Downtown Raleigh team,” shared Lloyd. “With a combination of underwriting and lending experience, she has a holistic understanding of the lending process, which is a plus for customers and her teammates.” 

A native of Oxford, North Carolina, Moore began her banking career over a decade ago with Union Bank & Trust (now First National Bank), and in the course of her time there, advanced to the position of portfolio manager. She most recently served as a portfolio underwriter at M&F Bank. She earned a Master of Business Administration with a concentration in finance from East Carolina University as well as a Bachelor of Science in Accounting from North Carolina Agricultural & Technical State University. 

“Behind every business, there’s a story,” shared Moore. “Those stories fuel my passion for banking.” 

Founded in 2000, North State Bank is an independent, full-service community bank serving Wake and New Hanover counties through seven offices and serves the community management association industry through its division, CommunityPLUS. 

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NorthStateBank.com 

This news release may contain forward-looking statements. Actual results might differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements for various reasons, including our ability to manage growth, changes in real estate values and the real estate market, regulatory changes and increased deposit insurance assessments, economic conditions, changes in interest rates, substantial chan 

It may surprise you, however, to know that Jackson has not been a speed skater all her life. Only four months after stepping out onto the ice for the first time in 2018, she became the first black woman to qualify for Team U.S.A. Although the new terrain was unfamiliar, Jackson gave herself every opportunity to get out onto the ice. By going back to the rink day every day to get used to her new environment, she was setting herself up for historic success.

By choosing something she enjoyed, and staying committed to her process, she was putting herself in a position where she would have opportunities to prosper. Although the journey may not have always been comfortable, her trust, and patience with the process, ultimately paid off. 

This story is a good one to keep in mind when taking on your next venture. Do you want to try something new? Become a better cook? Learn a new instrument? Even pick up speed skating? Whatever your new hobby may be, let’s talk about part of the Olympic recipe for success. Trust and patience are important parts of the overall process that will lift you to success. 

Trust the process! You may have heard the common phrase “practice makes perfect,” but I challenge you to tell yourself this instead: “practice makes improvement.” Erin Jackson’s historic gold medal can make it hard to remember that it took her four years to get to that point. Take the pressure off of yourself to be perfect with your new hobby and simply focus on improvement and enjoyment. Without the confinements of unattainable expectations, you may find more success. 

Be patient with yourself! Setting expectations too high or putting too much pressure on the situation can stifle your enthusiasm. Without that enthusiastic spark that got you going in the first place, it’s probable your new undertaking won’t last much longer. It’s unlikely that your new meal, first song, or race are going to be perfect. Understanding that the ultimate goal is to enjoy yourself and improve with each session, you will alleviate the pressure of getting it right the first time. Mistakes are human, and part of what makes the end result more satisfying. It’s always a joy to cheer on Team U.S.A. at the Olympic games, but Jackson’s story of her first time lacing up the skates is what makes her victory so much sweeter. It reminds us that everyone starts somewhere, even Olympic champions. 

By Reilly Miller

Photo source for title and within article: 

Azzi, Alex. “Erin Jackson Makes Olympic History with Speed Skating Gold.” On Her Turf, 14 Feb. 2022 https://onherturf.nbcsports.com/2022/02/13/erin-jackson-gold-speed-skating-2022-winter-olympics/.

As Lynn points out, we live in very physically focused world: we get sick, we go to the doctor. We go to the gym so that we can be strong. We get a cavity we go to the dentist. We try to eat well. We pay so much attention to our physical form, comfort, performance, and especially appearance, but how often do we think about what we are thinking about? Lynn challenges clients to really examine their thinking, and argues that our mental hygiene is just as, if not more important than our physical.

LD Consulting was formed around 2017 when Ms. DelGaudio earned an Integrative Health Coaching certification through the Institute of Integrative Nutrition in New York City. As her passion grew, she soon left her full-time banking job in order to pursue a career helping others be their best selves. Having always been interested in health and wellness and the methodology behind reducing stress to increase joy, it was a no-brainer for Ms. DelGaudio to enter the field. In fact, throughout her corporate career, she often facilitated stress-reduction sessions and encouraged better living through teaching breathing classes, kids’ yoga, core strength training, and the like. 

However, what really kicked off Ms. DelGaudio’s passion for health and wellness was a traumatic brain and spinal cord injury she suffered in 2014. Following the injury, Lynn quickly learned that healing the brain and body would require keen and committed attention to her thinking. In her book Altered on Impactshe details her own experiences with toxic, negative, stressful thinking and how shifting those patterns into ones of positivity, appreciation and trust impacted her healing and her overall health and happiness. Throughout the healing process she consistently employed the power of positive, deliberate thought and developed a variety of tools that helped completely redesign her mind, creating a new reality for herself. Her book offers specific exercises and instructions that will help readers enact their own redesign of the mind for self-empowerment and well-being. 

As an Integrative Health and Mindset Coach, Ms. DelGaudio helps clients initiate a healthier lifestyle by focusing on more than just diet. She believes that being healthy incorporates our relationships, careers, creative outlets, and so on. Working with LD Consulting, you will develop a mindset that not only emphasizes health and nourishment, but also stress reduction and accessing and shifting limiting beliefs that hold us back from being our best selves. Oftentimes, it is our own stress and negative thinking that hinders us from achieving our goals. Once we change this, everything else falls into place. 

Your experience with LD Consulting begins with a discovery session that assess all aspects of the client’s current state of well-being. Based on that conversation, clients establish goals they wish to achieve during the coaching program. Lynn works with clients to reach those goals through small achievable steps. Three and six-month coaching programs are offered. Meeting twice a month, Lynn helps her clients monitor their progress toward achieving their goals. Adjustments are made as needed. 

LD Consulting also offers public speaking and workshops on topics including nutrition, mindset and overall health and well-being. Through LD Consulting, Lynn DelGaudio’s goal is to help and inspire others to live up to their highest potential by unlocking beliefs that are sabotaging success, enabling her clients to unleash the power they already hold within. She wants everyone to realize that bliss is not a luxury, but a birthright and achieving it is far easier than we believe. With her help, we can all “Live Deliberately”! 

Learn more about LD Consulting and Ms. DelGaudio at www.lynndelgaudio.com.

For more information, contact:

Amanda M. Lloyd
Executive Vice President and Chief People OfficerALloyd@NorthStateBank.com
919.855.9925

December 14, 2020

NORTH STATE BANK NAMES IAN MACGREGOR AS COMMERCIAL LOAN PORTFOLIO MANAGER

RALEIGH, N.C. . . . North State Bank (the “Bank”) named Ian MacGregor as a commercial loan portfolio manager for the Downtown Raleigh office, announced Amanda Lloyd, executive vice president and chief people officer.

MacGregor joins the Bank with four decades of industry experience, having most recently worked at Fifth Third Bank for 11 years in lending roles of progressive responsibility. At North State, his primary focus is assisting with the lending needs of commercial customers.

“It’s rare to welcome a team member with Ian’s depth and length of experience,” commented Lloyd. “Businesses in Downtown Raleigh have weathered a lot in recent months and having an expert resource like Ian will go a long way toward supporting their lending needs.”

A native of Hopewell, Virginia, MacGregor has called Wake County home for nearly two decades. He is a graduate of the University of Virginia where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in Economics. He serves on the board of the Raleigh Sail and Power Squadron and was a past board member for Triangle Family Services.

“I consider myself a life-long student of business,” shared MacGregor. “I enjoy seeing ‘the work’ of each of my customers and understanding their unique approach. With that understanding, I do all that I can to help them achieve success as they define it.”

Founded in 2000, North State Bank is an independent, full-service community bank serving Wake and New Hanover counties through seven offices and serves the community management association industry through its division, CommunityPLUS. In 2020, the Bank marks its 20th year in business.

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NorthStateBank.com

This news release may contain forward-looking statements. Actual results might differ materially from those projected in the forward- looking statements for various reasons, including our ability to manage growth, changes in real estate values and the real estate market, regulatory changes and increased deposit insurance assessments, economic conditions, changes in interest rates, substantial changes in financial markets, loss of deposits and loan demand to other savings and financial institutions and our limited operating history.

For more information, contact:

Amanda M. Lloyd
Executive Vice President and Chief People OfficerALloyd@NorthStateBank.com
919.855.9925

December 10, 2020

RALEIGH, N.C. . . . North State Bank (the “Bank”) named Corey Barbour as a commercial banker for Raleigh’s North Hills office, announced Amanda Lloyd, executive vice president and chief people officer.

Barbour will support the needs of existing business customers and will cultivate new commercial relationships. Prior to joining North State, he was a senior business banking specialist at Wells Fargo and a business banker at PNC.

“Business banking is one area where North State differentiates itself,” commented Lloyd. “With Corey, we are aligning the agility and expertise we have as a local, independent bank with a seasoned business banker. That creates a powerful partnership and resource for customers.”

Barbour is an alumnus of Fayetteville State University where he earned a Bachelor of Science in Business Administration and he completed the University of North Carolina Wilmington Cameron School of Business Executive Program. He is a member of Kappa Alpha Psi Fraternity, Inc., serves on the Fayetteville State University Foundation Board and is a recipient of the Excellence Award from the YMCA of Wilmington.

“The best part of my role is serving our business community and helping companies succeed, especially in an area such as Midtown Raleigh that is continuously growing and changing,” shared Barbour. “I’m thrilled to join an organization that is as passionate about service as I am.”

Founded in 2000, North State Bank is an independent, full-service community bank serving Wake and New Hanover counties through seven offices and serves the community management association industry through its division, CommunityPLUS. In 2020, the Bank marked its 20th year in business.

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NorthStateBank.com

This news release may contain forward-looking statements. Actual results might differ materially from those projected in the forward- looking statements for various reasons, including our ability to manage growth, changes in real estate values and the real estate market, regulatory changes and increased deposit insurance assessments, economic conditions, changes in interest rates, substantial changes in financial markets, loss of deposits and loan demand to other savings and financial institutions and our limited operating history.

For more information, contact:
Amanda M. Lloyd
Executive Vice President and Chief People Officer ALloyd@NorthStateBank.com
919.855.9925

NORTH STATE BANK’S SHARON MOE RECEIVES PRESIDENTS’ AWARD FROM WAKE COUNTY BAR ASSOCIATION AND TENTH JUDICIAL DISTRICT BAR

RALEIGH, N.C. . . . North State Bank’s Downtown Raleigh Market President Sharon Moe received the Presidents’ Award from the Wake County Bar Association (WCBA) and the Tenth Judicial District Bar, announced Amanda M. Lloyd, executive vice president and chief people officer.

The award was presented at the Annual Meeting of the WCBA and Tenth Judicial District Bar to those who have shown exemplary and dedicated service to the legal profession and the citizens of Wake County. Other 2019 recipients include Chief Justice Cheri Beasley, David Gadd, Rich Leonard, Day Matthews, Kimberly Miller and Chief District Court Judge Robert Rader.

WCBA President David Sherlin shared, “It’s not every year that a non-lawyer is presented with a presidents’ award. This year, Sharon Moe is uniquely deserving as our banker who stayed in our corner during the many ups and downs we faced while purchasing our new headquarters at 712 N. West Street. Working with executive leadership on nights and weekends, Sharon assured us that no matter what, North State Bank was a partner in this and supported our purchase of the building.”

Lloyd commented, “This recognition is well deserved and is a testament to the passion Sharon has for her customers. I speak for everyone at North State Bank when I say, ‘congratulations’ on this remarkable achievement!”

Moe has served as market president for North State Bank’s Downtown Raleigh office since it opened in 2008. She holds a Master of Business Administration from the New York University Leonard N. Stern School of Business and a Bachelor of Arts from The College of William & Mary. She is a graduate of the American Bankers Association Stonier Graduate School of Banking at the University of Pennsylvania and the North Carolina Bankers Association School of Banking at the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill. She is a member of the board of directors for several community organizations, including Shop Local Raleigh, the Downtown Raleigh Alliance and the Centre for Home Ownership and Economic Development Inc.

On receiving the award, Moe said, “It’s an honor to receive this award and to be among such a great group of recipients. It is a pleasure to serve the WCBA and I am glad they chose North State Bank as their banking partner.”

Founded in 2000, North State Bank is an independent, full-service community bank serving Wake and New Hanover counties through seven offices and serves the community management association industry through its division, CommunityPLUS.

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NorthStateBank.com

This news release may contain forward-looking statements. Actual results might differ materially from those projected in the forward- looking statements for various reasons, including our ability to manage growth, changes in real estate values and the real estate market, regulatory changes and increased deposit insurance assessments, economic conditions, changes in interest rates, substantial changes in financial markets, loss of deposits and loan demand to other savings and financial institutions and our limited operating history.

For more information, contact: Shannon Reaves
Chief Mortgage Sales Officer 919.749.0641

NORTH STATE BANK MORTGAGE WELCOMES BACK LENDER AMY WOMACK

(See accompanying photo)

Raleigh, NC . . . North State Bank Mortgage welcomes back Amy Womack, mortgage loan officer at North State Bank’s Wake Forest office, announced Chief Mortgage Sales Officer Shannon Reaves.

“Amy is driven by her desire to help homebuyers,” commented Reaves. “People can tell she is authentic and excited to be part of their path to homeownership. We’re happy to have her back at North State Bank Mortgage.”

A North Carolina native, Womack grew up in Roxboro and moved to the Triangle in the early 2000s. She began her mortgage lending career with Harrington Bank and then HSBC. She served as a mortgage lender with North State Bank Mortgage before taking a brief hiatus from banking.

“Buying a home should be a joyful time,” shared Womack. “My role is to connect borrowers with the resources and products they need to make sound, informed choices. And, to make sure they feel supported every step of the way by a lender who cares.”

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NorthStateBankMortgage.com

This news release may contain forward-looking statements. The actual results might differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements for various reasons, including our ability to manage growth, changes in real estate values and the real estate market, regulatory changes and increased deposit insurance assessments, economic conditions, changes in interest rates, substantial changes in financial markets, loss of deposits and loan demand to other savings and financial institutions and our limited operating history.

North State Bank Mortgage is a division of North State Bank, an independent community bank headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina. North State Bank Mortgage serves customers in Raleigh, Garner, Wake Forest and Wilmington.

NEWS RELEASE

For more information, contact:

Amanda M. Lloyd
Executive Vice President and Chief People Officer

ALloyd@NorthStateBank.com
919.855.9925

NORTH STATE BANK NAMES CINDY BUZAK TO DOWNTOWN RALEIGH OFFICE MANAGER POST

RALEIGH, N.C. . . . North State Bank (the “Bank”) welcomes Cindy Buzak as office manager for the downtown Raleigh location, announced Amanda Lloyd, executive vice president and chief people officer. “Cindy has a passion for customer service and a talent for creating team-oriented environments,” commented Lloyd. “We’re pleased to welcome her back to North State.”

Buzak’s banking career began at Wachovia (now Wells Fargo), where she served as a customer service representative and, from there, she grew in positions of progressive responsibility. In the mid-2000s, she worked at North State for several years before taking a hiatus from banking. She rejoined the financial services industry in 2017 at Capital Bank. Buzak studied at Appalachian State University and is active in the community, serving as a volunteer with Wake County Schools’ literacy tutoring program and Peak Lab Rescue.“ I love the energy in downtown Raleigh, and it’s been a pleasure to rejoin the North State team,” shared Buzak. “I’m hitting the ground running.”

Founded in 2000, North State Bank is an independent, full-service community bank serving Wake and New Hanover counties through seven full-service offices and is the parent company of North State Bank Mortgage and CommunityPLUS.

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NorthStateBank.com