Meals on Wheels
As the Development Associate at Meals on Wheels Orange County, NC, from January 2023- August 2025, I led strategic communications, donor relations, local government grant applications, campaign/event fundraising, and multimedia storytelling efforts. My work bridges the gap between theory and practice, with a focus on community engagement and social change through storytelling.
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Example Recipient Oral Histories
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Example Volunteer Oral Histories
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Designed Impact Postcards (Stewardship Initiative)
Dining for Others Annual Fundraiser
The Dining for Others campaign is an annual fundraising event that supports Meals on Wheels Orange County, NC, through a formal dinner, silent auction, and community engagement. I managed all aspects of the campaign (2023, 2024, 2025), from planning and securing vendors to organizing logistics, selecting the menu, curating the silent auction, crafting fundraising activities, assigning seating, (and more!).
On Air Today: ‘Dining For Others’ for Meals on Wheels
Interview of Shawna Sheperd by Aaron Keck | Apr 22, 2025
97.9 The Hill WCHL and Chapelboro.com
Mother's Day Flowers Fundraiser
The Mother’s Day Flowers campaign is an annual fundraising initiative where Meals on Wheels Orange County, NC, partners with Blawesome, a local flower farm that is co-owned and operated by a young man with autism to offer beautiful floral arrangements for Mother’s Day. Proceeds pf the campaign benefit both organizations. I led the campaign to a 74% increase in contributions during my first year, and have continued to strengthen the relationship through 2023, 2024, and 2025, ensuring sustained growth and community involvement.
Paws and Pints Fundraiser
Paws & Pints was the inaugural event I created to support the MOWOCNC Loves Pets! program, raising funds for Meals on Wheels Orange County’s pet food delivery initiative. The event not only provided a fun, community-driven space for pet lovers but also served as a key awareness and engagement campaign to highlight the importance of supporting both seniors and their pets. It laid the foundation for ongoing funding and awareness for the program, connecting the community with Meals on Wheels' mission.
The Sheperd's Lodge
The Sheperd's Lodge, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit founded by my mom, Ann Sheperd, in 2008, has always held a special place in my heart. I’ve had the privilege of serving on the board and also took the lead in organizing the summer camps from 2017 to 2019. These camps were so much more than fun activities—we learned vocational skills, aided in equine-assisted therapy, and even had a robotics class, a petting zoo, and got to churn butter by hand. I helped with the logistics, volunteered on the ground, and attended the equine-assisted therapy and riding lessons monthly. My involvement with Sheperd's Lodge has been such a formative experience, not only in shaping my passion for service and advocacy but also in deepening my connection to Disability Studies. It’s where my commitment to creating inclusive spaces really took root.
The Morehead Planetarium
My time at Morehead Planetarium was pivotal in merging my passions for education, academics, and nonprofit work. I started as a student intern and quickly became involved in event coordination, working alongside a talented team on large-scale fundraisers and community engagement initiatives. It was there that I first experienced the power of education and outreach, helping to create opportunities for the public to connect with science in meaningful ways. Through hands-on work with diverse teams and clients, I discovered the value of community-centered education, which would later shape my career and academic journey. Morehead Planetarium laid the foundation for my ongoing commitment to supporting both education and nonprofit causes, helping me to see how these two areas could intersect to create positive change.
2018: A Mission Beyond the Stars Gala
As a student intern/worker, I played a key role in assisting the development team with organizing the event honoring Joan Higginbotham, a trailblazer in aerospace. Joan, who made history as the third African American woman in space, was our honored guest for the evening. I was solely responsible for managing the silent auction, which added a unique touch to the event. Her remarkable NASA career, including her groundbreaking space shuttle mission, was celebrated, alongside performances from the Cadence acapella group and the UNC Ballroom team. Held at The Barn of Chapel Hill, this event marked the first Jupiter Ball away from Morehead Planetarium.
2019: The 20th Annual Jupiter Ball
During the 2019 event, I took a more direct leadership role with the student staff, overseeing their schedules and acting as a point of contact throughout the night. I served as a runner for anything that needed to be done and ensured smooth operations. I also curated the silent auction once again, adding a special touch to the event. The evening honored Chancellor Emeritus James Moeser for his transformative work at UNC Chapel Hill, including pioneering the Carolina Covenant initiative and expanding genomics research. Additionally, Steve Butts and Addie Miller were recognized for their dedication to underserved rural communities, particularly for their invaluable support of the Saunders Science Scholars program in Gates County. Through this unique partnership with Gates County Schools and the Gates County Community Partnership, the program helps students discover science in new and exciting ways through hands-on exploration and enrichment opportunities. Each month, Morehead works with students and a supportive adult to facilitate science activities at local elementary schools, and during the summer, students and their families embark on a week-long college tour. The gala's festivities were held at the Morehead Planetarium, where guests enjoyed hard-hat tours of the renovated building, star tours in the planetarium dome, and interactive science activities.
