I walked into Extraordinary Thrift not really knowing what to expect. I walked out a different kind of customer.

Let me start with what hit me first: this place is immaculate. I don't mean "clean for a thrift store." I mean organized, labeled, intentionally laid out — like someone thought carefully about every single shelf. Because they did.

Extraordinary Thrift is operated by Extraordinary Ventures, a Chapel Hill nonprofit that creates jobs for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities, including autism. When Extraordinary Ventures took over this space on January 5th, it was — to put it kindly — a lot. Floor to ceiling, packed with stuff, hard to move through, hard to work in. One employee told Executive Director Lisa Kaylie that he'd never seen the floor before.

A small team cleaned, sorted, and completely rebuilt the space. They moved shelving from upstairs to downstairs. Saved clear bins. Donated what couldn't be sold. And then they redesigned the whole store around a concept Lisa is passionate about: universal design.

SEE MORE ABOUT THIS MORE THAN ORDINARY VISIT IN PICS—→

A Mother's Love, A Daughter's Legacy, and Five Years of Filling Backpacks with Hope

In 2018, a young woman named Kristian "Krissy" Monet Richardson walked into the Carrboro-Chapel Hill YMCA with an idea and a trunk full of school supplies. She was an East Carolina University student studying social work — but she'd been working with kids at the Y since 10th grade, and she knew something that statistics alone couldn't capture: that a child who shows up to school without a backpack feels it in ways that follow them all day. So Krissy built a backpack program from scratch, filling over 100 backpacks with supplies and placing them on the shoulders of students across Orange County.

She was 20 years old.

On May 16, 2021, Krissy was killed in a car accident. She was 23.

What happened next is one of the most quietly extraordinary stories in our community.

From Grief to Purpose

Pat Richardson lost her daughter, her confidant, her baby girl. And in the depths of that loss, she made a choice that has shaped hundreds of young lives in Chapel Hill, Carrboro, and beyond: she would not let Krissy's work end on the day Krissy's life did.

Within months, Pat founded the Monet Richardson Community Foundation — named for Krissy — and restarted the backpack program her daughter had created. In the foundation's very first year, they distributed 170 backpacks to students in Carrboro-Chapel Hill and Edgecombe County schools.

Five years later, MRCF has grown from one county to five. They've placed more than 500 backpacks on the shoulders of elementary school children. They've awarded thousands of dollars in academic scholarships — including the Krissy Richardson Memorial Scholarship at ECU's College of Health and Human Performance, supporting future social workers following in Krissy's footsteps. They've launched financial literacy workshops for young people. They run a student-led service club at East Chapel Hill High School where teenagers learn leadership by living it.

And every bit of it is powered by volunteers. MRCF has no paid staff. Just a mother's love, a community's commitment, and the memory of a young woman who believed a backpack could change a child's day — and maybe their trajectory.

This Sunday: The Rosé & Roses Soirée

This weekend, MRCF marks five years with Rosé & Roses Soirée: The Power of Five — Celebrating Community, Growth & Giving, a signature fundraising event at the Graduate Hotel on Franklin Street.

📅 Sunday, March 8, 2026 📍 Graduate Hotel, 311 W. Franklin St., Chapel Hill

This isn't just a fundraiser. It's a celebration of what happens when one person's purpose outlives their time here — and a whole community decides to carry it forward.

The foundation's goal is to raise $20,000 to fund the next chapter: more backpacks, more scholarships, more young people equipped to chase their dreams without financial barriers standing in the way.

How to Be Part of It

🎟️ Get Tickets & Register: secure.qgiv.com/event/mrcfa

💜 Donate Directly: secure.qgiv.com/event/mrcfa

🤝 Become a Sponsor: Download the Soirée Sponsorship Packet (available on the event page)

📧 Learn More: monetrichardsoncommunityfoundation.com | [email protected]

🔵 Follow on Facebook: facebook.com/kristianmonetrichardson

Krissy Richardson studied social work because she wanted to help people. She started a backpack program because she saw children who needed something she could give. She was building a business, planning to finish her master's degree, dreaming out loud about her future the last time her mother saw her — on Mother's Day 2021.

Five years later, kids in five North Carolina counties start their school year with full backpacks because of what she started. Students earn scholarships in her name. Teenagers lead community service projects inspired by her example.

That's not a memorial. That's a living legacy.

Show up Sunday. Raise a glass of rosé. Help write the next chapter.

READ ABOUT THE WORK THE FOUNDATION HAS DONE IN THE PAST —→

The headline you'll hear all week: Former Governor Roy Cooper and former RNC Chair Michael Whatley both won their U.S. Senate primaries Tuesday night. They'll square off in November for the seat being vacated by retiring Sen. Thom Tillis — and it's shaping up to be one of the most expensive and closely watched races in the country. But let's talk about what happened closer to home.

NC-04 Congressional: Headed for a Recount This is the one everyone locally was watching. Rep. Valerie Foushee held a razor-thin lead over Durham County Commissioner Nida Allam — 49.18% to 48.22% — with all 142 precincts reporting. That's roughly 1,200 votes. Allam carried Durham and Wake counties; Foushee led in Orange and Chatham. Allam has indicated the race moves to an automatic recount. This isn't over yet.

Orange County Sheriff Sheriff Charles Blackwood is heading to a fourth term, defeating challenger David LaBarre with 58.4% of the vote. Blackwood has been a familiar face in the community for years — and that familiarity carried the day.

Orange County Board of Commissioners Jamezetta Bedford won District 1 over Maria T. Palmer (57%–43%). Karen Stegman cruised to the at-large seat with 77% of the vote. But the story here is District 2 — Beth Bronson edged out Earl McKee by just 32 votes. Thirty-two. That margin could shift when provisional ballots are counted Friday.

Orange County Register of Deeds Amy Jo McLamb defeated former county commissioner Penny Rich, 55.8% to 44.2%.

Orange County Board of Education Four seats, six candidates. Sarah Smylie, Anne Purcell, and Will Atherton all retained their seats. Lori Russell joins the board as a new member. Brian Edwards and Saru Salvi fell short.

NC House District 50 Renée Price won decisively with nearly 75% of the vote.

Chatham County Board of Commissioners Mike Roberson takes the District 3 seat (52.3%), and Franklin Gomez Flores won District 5 with nearly 60% of the vote.

All results are unofficial. Provisional ballots will be counted March 6. The county canvass is March 13. View the NC State Board of Elections results dashboard here.

Thursday, March 5 ☕ CHCCS Board of Education Meeting — Superintendent Rodney Trice presents his budget recommendation for the upcoming year. This one matters — with potential school closures under study and budget pressures mounting, this is where the numbers start to get real. 6 p.m. Agenda and details on the CHCCS website.

🏛️ Orange County Commissioners — Discussion of legislative priorities and a final report on property revaluation appeals. 7 p.m., Whitted Building, Hillsborough. Meeting info here.

Thursday–Sunday, March 5–22

Macbeth at PlayMakers Repertory Company Joan H. Gillings Center for Dramatic Art, 120 Country Club Rd., Chapel Hill Box office: 919-962-7529 playmakersrep.org/show/macbeth

Thursday–Saturday, March 5–7 🎤 Mamma Mia! Sing-Along at East Chapel Hill High School — ECHHS Performing Arts presents their spring musical, and yes, you are absolutely allowed to sing along. This is a community favorite — grab your tickets and your best ABBA energy. Buy tickets on GoFan.

Friday–Saturday, March 6–7 "The First To Know" — Final Weekend at The ArtsCenter The ArtsCenter, 400 Roberson St., Carrboro | 7:30 p.m. | $25 Last two performances. BOGO free with code 'DUEDATE'. Box office: 919-929-2787 or 984-500-4500. artscenterlive.org

Saturday, March 7

Habitat for Humanity Women Build Volunteer Day Weavers Grove, off Weaver Dairy Road, Chapel Hill | Morning 8:30 a.m.–noon, afternoon 1:00–4:00 p.m. No experience needed. Volunteers 15+ welcome, all gender identities welcome. Register at orangehabitat.volunteerhub.com | orangehabitat.org/womenbuild | Email: [email protected]

Sunday, March 8

Kay Marion and The Neo Symphony — BHM Concert Drakeford Library Complex, 203 S. Greensboro St., Carrboro | 3:00 p.m. Free. Final concert in Carrboro's Black History Month concert series (rescheduled from earlier date). carrboronc.gov/2978/Black-History-Month

Rose and Roses Soiree — Monet Richardson Community Foundation Graduate Hotel, 311 W. Franklin St., Chapel Hill | 5:00–8:00 p.m. Tickets: $50 / $85 pair Get tickets | monetrichardsoncommunityfoundation.com

PORCH Food Drive Drop-Off Sunday, March 8, 12:00–6:00 p.m. Check chapelhill.porchcommunities.org for your nearest location.

Monday, March 9

PORCH Food Drive Drop-Off (continued) Monday, March 9, 8:30–11:00 a.m. Same locations as Sunday. chapelhill.porchcommunities.org

School Closures Are Officially on the Table The CHCCS board is moving forward with studying whether to close up to two elementary school buildings and redistrict all students — driven by declining enrollment and a looming multi-million-dollar budget shortfall. Hundreds of families packed the most recent meeting to advocate for their schools. The board is narrowing criteria this week and will identify three to five schools for consideration. No school can be closed without first being part of the study. If you have kids in the district, this is the moment to pay attention. (Read WUNC's full Q&A with the school board chair.)

West Rosemary Street Construction Is Here OWASA's 18-month project to replace a 70-year-old water main on West Rosemary Street is officially underway. Bike lanes are already closed, and a full road closure to through-traffic is expected in the coming weeks. Plan your routes accordingly — this one's going to be with us for a while.

Carrboro Launches "Launch Local" A new 10-week evening seminar series for aspiring entrepreneurs and early-stage businesses kicked off in early March. Facilitated through the nationally recognized CO.STARTER curriculum, the program covers financing, scaling, and marketing. Cost is $100 for accepted applicants. If you've got a business idea simmering, this is your on-ramp. Learn more at launchchapelhill.com/launch-local.

Chatham Is Planning for a Growth Surge County commissioners met jointly with the Chatham school board this week to look ahead at future growth — especially the massive Chatham Park development — and figure out how schools and county government can get ahead of it. Pittsboro has also recently approved expansions of mixed-use developments near Chatham Park. The message is clear: growth is coming fast, and the planning has to keep up.

Carolina Tiger Rescue Completes International Big Cat Rescue In mid-January, Pittsboro's Carolina Tiger Rescue helped pull off Operation Flight to Sanctuary — a historic international rescue of eight big cats from Honduras. Five tigers are now safely at the sanctuary. If you've been meaning to visit, here's your sign.

Save the Date: Spring Ag Fest The Chatham County Cooperative Extension is hosting the Spring Ag Fest on Saturday, March 28, from 10 a.m.–3 p.m. at the Agriculture & Conference Center in Pittsboro, celebrating local agriculture, forestry, and natural resources.

No Mow March Is On The Town of Hillsborough is encouraging residents to skip the mower this month and let early spring flowers bloom — helping pollinators get a head start. Your slightly shaggy lawn is now an act of environmental stewardship. You're welcome.

Hillsborough Gallery of Arts Turns 20 The gallery at 121 N. Churton St. is celebrating two decades with "This Is Us," a member exhibition running through March 22. Worth a visit during the Last Friday Art Walk or any time you're strolling downtown.

Property Revaluation Saga Wraps Up (For Now) Commissioners will receive a final report Thursday on the outcome of appeals from last year's contentious property revaluation. The county's Tax Assessment Work Group continues reviewing valuation practices and communication — so if your assessment still feels off, know that the conversation isn't over. Orange County meeting info here.

French Manufacturer Relocating to Orange County The Board of Commissioners approved an incentive package to support the relocation of CITEL America, a French manufacturer of industrial surge protection products, from Florida to Orange County. New jobs, new industry — worth watching.

State Trooper Killed in Wrong-Way Crash Master Trooper Steven J. Perry was killed Sunday in a head-on collision on the Durham Freeway near Swift Avenue. The wrong-way driver may have been impaired. Perry had served in Durham County, and the Durham City Council honored his life at Monday's meeting.

Chemical Plant Threatens Durham's Drinking Water A major investigation by Inside Climate News found that Brenntag Mid-South, a global chemical distribution company operating in Durham, has been cited for leaking chemical drums on three separate inspections. Cancer-causing chemicals are entering Third Fork Creek from the property — threatening the drinking water supply for roughly a million people downstream. The Durham Environmental Affairs Board is taking up the issue this week. This is a big story, and it's just getting started.

Chapel Hill Insider is your weekly guide to the people, places, and stories that make our community special. Know someone we should feature? Have a story tip? Reply to this email.

Big news: Ed King's beloved hand-drawn Chapel Hill Cartoon Map is now available digitally! In partnership with the original artist, we've brought this charming map—capturing every quirky corner and beloved business in our town—into the digital age.

Until next time,

Be in the know!