"Do what you can, when you can, because you can!" ~Caroline Harsant Whitley
The message and ministry of Care's Coasters touches a wide variety of people because
it's simple enough to be attainable, but profound enough to be inspirational.
~Garry Winebarger, Executive Director, Fayetteville Area Youth for Christ/ Care's Coasters customer
Welcome to the Care's Coasters/ Team Caroline Harsant Website. I am Caroline's twin sister Laura Harsant Reeves, and I just want to keep Caroline's memory alive. My family and I, as well as her extended family and her friends, have called ourselves "Team Caroline" since she was diagnosed with brain cancer in 2007, just days after our 25th birthday. We especially referred to ourselves as Team Caroline when we walked with Caroline in the Cape Fear Valley Health Foundation Friends of the Cancer Center Ribbon Walk in 2007. We have walked every year since then, before and after she died in 2011. We continue to remember her. This website is dedicated to her memory.
i carry your heart (i carry it in my heart). -e.e. cummings
i carry your heart (i carry it in my heart). -e.e. cummings
What are Care's Coasters?
Care's Coasters are decorative stone and absorbent tiles which feature quotes and artwork that reflect Caroline’s personality and spirit. Proceeds go to various charities in her memory. Each year in honor of their birthday, December 25, Laura creates a new Care's Coaster quote. Laura decorates each decorative tile by hand. Click on the About Care's Coasters tab to learn more.
Care's Coasters are decorative stone and absorbent tiles which feature quotes and artwork that reflect Caroline’s personality and spirit. Proceeds go to various charities in her memory. Each year in honor of their birthday, December 25, Laura creates a new Care's Coaster quote. Laura decorates each decorative tile by hand. Click on the About Care's Coasters tab to learn more.
Who was Caroline?
She was a fighter. She is missed daily. She was a sister, daughter, wife, friend, partner-in-crime:), niece, aunt, cousin, co-worker...she was and is loved.
A native of Fayetteville, North Carolina, Caroline graduated from Terry Sanford High School in 2000. She graduated with honors from the Kenan-Flagler Business School at UNC Chapel Hill in 2004.
Caroline returned to Fayetteville after leaving UNC and worked as a business banker at First Citizens. She dedicated much of her free time to helping others and working for causes in which she believed. Caroline served the Care Clinic of Fayetteville as Secretary of the Board, as well as in other capacities. She was also an active member of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church.
Caroline was active in the Fayetteville Kiwanis Club, where she served as co-chair of the Key/Builders Clubs Committee. Caroline was also a member of the Ambassador Committee of the Cumberland County Business Council and was a graduate of the Leadership Fayetteville class of 2006.
The Fayetteville Observer selected Caroline as one of its very first "20 Under 40" in September, 2006, recognizing her as one of the up-and-coming leaders of our community.
Caroline worked diligently to raise money for cancer research and awareness, through events including the Friends of the Cancer Center Ribbon Walk and the American Cancer Society.
She was a fighter. She is missed daily. She was a sister, daughter, wife, friend, partner-in-crime:), niece, aunt, cousin, co-worker...she was and is loved.
A native of Fayetteville, North Carolina, Caroline graduated from Terry Sanford High School in 2000. She graduated with honors from the Kenan-Flagler Business School at UNC Chapel Hill in 2004.
Caroline returned to Fayetteville after leaving UNC and worked as a business banker at First Citizens. She dedicated much of her free time to helping others and working for causes in which she believed. Caroline served the Care Clinic of Fayetteville as Secretary of the Board, as well as in other capacities. She was also an active member of Holy Trinity Episcopal Church.
Caroline was active in the Fayetteville Kiwanis Club, where she served as co-chair of the Key/Builders Clubs Committee. Caroline was also a member of the Ambassador Committee of the Cumberland County Business Council and was a graduate of the Leadership Fayetteville class of 2006.
The Fayetteville Observer selected Caroline as one of its very first "20 Under 40" in September, 2006, recognizing her as one of the up-and-coming leaders of our community.
Caroline worked diligently to raise money for cancer research and awareness, through events including the Friends of the Cancer Center Ribbon Walk and the American Cancer Society.
Us 3 Harsant Kids, 1994: Caroline, Stewart, and me
Hey There, My Sister
a poem written by Laura for Caroline in 1999 at age 17
(At the time I wrote this poem, we were separated for the first time because we attended different summer college-prep programs.~LHR)
Hey there, my sister. What did He see?
When God chose a sister for you, He picked me.
We'll give her the right brain; the other the left.
We'll give them the best friend each will ever have.
Hey there, my sister. Say, you were there
when we were milk-mustached fairies with knots in our hair.
Through slip 'n slide forests and show tunes galore,
you mended my heart and spirit when sore.
Hey there, my sister. We watched the smoke swirl
from candles as they sang to the birthday girls.
Here comes the part when the sky becomes black,
but you were still there with your hand on my back.
Hey there, my sister. The lines drawn are fine,
but your little life grew from the same belly as mine.
Hey there, my sister. I hope that you see
I'm so glad God chose you as the sister for me.
a poem written by Laura for Caroline in 1999 at age 17
(At the time I wrote this poem, we were separated for the first time because we attended different summer college-prep programs.~LHR)
Hey there, my sister. What did He see?
When God chose a sister for you, He picked me.
We'll give her the right brain; the other the left.
We'll give them the best friend each will ever have.
Hey there, my sister. Say, you were there
when we were milk-mustached fairies with knots in our hair.
Through slip 'n slide forests and show tunes galore,
you mended my heart and spirit when sore.
Hey there, my sister. We watched the smoke swirl
from candles as they sang to the birthday girls.
Here comes the part when the sky becomes black,
but you were still there with your hand on my back.
Hey there, my sister. The lines drawn are fine,
but your little life grew from the same belly as mine.
Hey there, my sister. I hope that you see
I'm so glad God chose you as the sister for me.
Caroline receiving treatment at Cape Fear Valley Cancer Center and Cyberknife Center, photo by Pulitzer Prize nominated photojournalist Chris Hondros.
