NonProfits Archives

Casting Bread Presents the 10th Annual Ducky Regatta — A Celebration of Community and Compassion

May 14, 2025. Blowing Rock, NC — On Saturday, June 28, 2025, Casting Bread will host the 10th Annual Ducky Regatta from 10 AM to 1 PM at 194 Aho Road, Blowing Rock, NC. This family-friendly event celebrates both the spirit of the High Country community and the beauty of the Middle Fork of the New River — flowing just outside Casting Bread’s doors.Festival-goers can look forward to a vibrant morning full of rubber duck races, including exciting kids-only races, bouncy houses, music, fun games, and delicious food served from Casting Bread’s very own Canteen.

May 13, 2025. The Watauga County Farmers’ Market is temporarily moving from its longtime home at Daniel Boone Park to Appalachian State University’s State Farm parking lot (197 Dale St., Boone) due to a repaving project at the Horn in the West parking area. The relocation will begin on Saturday, May 17, and continue through at least Saturday, May 24. The market may remain at the temporary site for additional Saturdays if there are construction delays.

May 13, 2025. The Blowing Rock Community Library recently received a generous donation of four handcrafted, maple and cypress wood tables for the library’s Community Room. The handcrafted tables were donated by Jean and Hodge Kitchin and the Blowing Rock Civic Association. During the winter months, Blowing Rock Library Association Member Jamie Dixey took on the task of refinishing the library’s seven large reading tables. She found that four of the library tables had significant wear and would need repair. Dixey then put a call out to the community asking for assistance. Her request was quickly answered with a generous offer to replace the tables from The Blowing Rock Civic Association together with Jean and Hodge Kitchin, longtime residents of Blowing Rock.

April 25, 2025 The Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation has secured a three-year, $5.13 million grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) to support regional strategies to advance cultural and recreational tourism. The grant activities will benefit dozens of Appalachian gateway communities along the Blue Ridge Parkway in Virginia and North Carolina that host millions of visitors each year. “By investing in infrastructure improvements, regional business growth, and tourism workforce development, Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation’s ARISE grant stands to have a robust economic impact on Appalachian North Carolina and Southwest Virginia,” said ARC Federal Co-Chair Gayle Manchin.

April 16, 2025 Stars from across the music spectrum will perform three benefit concerts this summer at Hayes Auditorium on the campus of Lees-McRae College. Rock and Roll Hall of Famer John Oates of Hall & Oates, Country Music Hall of Famer Jimmy Fortune of The Statler Brothers, and two-time Grammy winning singer-songwriter Jim Lauderdale are among the star-studded lineup. All artists are donating their time to raise money for Hurricane Helene victims in the greater Banner Elk area.

April 7, 2025 Thanks to your overwhelming enthusiasm, our Power of the Purse event featuring Laura Linney and Molly Grantham on June 26th sold out in just two days! We heard you, and we’re thrilled to announce we’ve increased our event capacity and reopened ticket sales! To accommodate everyone, we’re moving to a larger venue: The Holmes Convocation Center on Rivers Street in Boone.

March 31, 2025 Over 45% of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail has reopened in the mountains in the six months after Hurricane Helene. This has been a collaboration across agencies and volunteer crews to tackle the unprecedented damage that Hurricane Helene caused. In the first weeks and months after the storm, a tremendous amount of work was done by National Park Service and US Forest Service staffs. These pros assessed the trail first and found that much of the damage was beyond even their training. Skilled professional crews and contractors were brought in to detangle the massive tree pile ups and create a narrow corridor of the trail route, oftentimes needing GPS to find the trail. Once the first pass was cut and certain areas were deemed safe for volunteers, our crews got to work.

March 28, 2025 A class of 16 emerging leaders and a longtime industry and community mentor were among the honorees at the 9th Annual 4 Under 40 Awards, held Wednesday, March 26th, in front of a crowd of over 200 people at the Appalachian Theatre in Downtown Boone. The event was made possible thanks to the sponsorship support of Appalachian Commercial Real Estate. This year’s finalists embody the traits of community leadership by shaping young minds in classrooms, stabilizing and growing businesses in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, driving the missions of local non- profits, and providing talent, energy, and insight to established local businesses. While this annual showcase honors these emerging leaders as the next generation of community advocates, their current impact on key issues and projects more than demonstrates their abilities and passion for serving the High Country.

March 27, 2025 Spring is in the air, and with it comes the much-anticipated opening of the Watauga County Farmers’ Market. On Saturday, April 5, 2025, the market will return to its beloved home at Daniel Boone Park (591 Horn in the West Drive) to kick off its 52nd season of fresh, local goods and community connection. The market will be open Saturdays from 8:00 AM until 12:00 PM through November. After operating at a temporary location for the last two months of the 2024 season, the market is excited to return to its usual spot at Daniel Boone Park. Some community members may still be unaware of the move, and organizers want to emphasize that the market is back at its long-standing home. This return marks a significant moment for both vendors and customers who cherish this tradition.

March 26, 2025 Alleghany County, NC – Thanks to a generous landowner, Blue Ridge Conservancy (BRC) was recently able to protect a 76-acre property in Alleghany County containing a vulnerable Southern Appalachian mountain bog, which is home to several rare plant and animal species. This project is a partnership between BRC, the NC Wildlife Resources Commission, and the US Fish & Wildlife Service. BRC plans to conduct a restoration of the bog before it is transferred to the Mountain Bogs National Wildlife Refuge, which was formed to preserve one of North America’s rarest habitats.

March 26, 2025 Appalachian State University’s Department of Government and Justice Studies, in collaboration with the Center for Excellence in Teaching and Learning for Student Success, will host the inaugural Lab iMPACTLY Nonprofit Workshop on Thursday, April 3, from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. in Room 201A of the Plemmons Student Union. The workshop aims to equip local nonprofits with the tools, strategies and insights needed to enhance their impact, particularly in securing and managing grants.

March 25, 2025 The King Street Farmers’ Market will host Senior Day on March 29th 2025 from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m at 252 Poplar Grove Rd, Boone. Join us for our last Winter King Street Market of the season to celebrate Appalachian Culture on March 29th, 2025. Local organization, Stateline Resource Station, will be providing an Appalachian Breakfast fundraiser at the demonstration kitchen, swing by to support a local mutual aid and get a yummy breakfast! While you shop for a variety of local goods, foods, and products, enjoy live old time music by Noah Williams and friends!

Courtney Taylor Joins Watauga Humane Society Team

March 19, 2025 Watauga Humane Society is pleased to announce Courtney Taylor has joined the team as Director of Development and Communications. Taylor, who has nearly 20 years of fundraising experience, comes to WHS from a career spent mostly in higher education. Prior to serving as Senior Director for Development with Phi Theta Kappa, the international honor society for community colleges, she ran the annual giving campaigns at her alma mater, Mississippi University for Women.

March 12, 2025 Spirit Ride Therapeutic Riding Center is excited to announce its Fundraising Derby, taking place on May 3rd, 2025 at the beautiful Broyhill Equestrian Preserve in Blowing Rock. This lively event will support Spirit Ride’s mission of providing equine-assisted learning opportunities for children with a wide array of diagnoses—at no cost to families. Public ticket sales begin March 10th, 2025, with proceeds directly funding Spirit Ride’s essential operating costs. The goal? To raise $25,000 to ensure children continue to learn, grow, and strive toward becoming their ideal selves through equine-assisted services.

March 12, 2025 WAMY Community Action is thrilled to announce its 2025 WAMY Warrior Volunteer Service Days, an initiative designed to bring people together for hands-on projects that benefit low-income families in Watauga, Avery, Mitchell and Yancey counties. Whether you’re an individual, a student, or part of a business, faith group, or civic organization, WAMY invites you to lend a hand and make a lasting impact. To prepare volunteers for this exciting opportunity, WAMY is hosting WAMY Warrior Volunteer Orientation Sessions at various locations in April.

March 11, 2025 Asheville, N.C. – The Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation is welcoming a slate of community ambassadors to guide the next steps of its Blue Ridge Rising initiative. The group of leaders will help implement strategies to unify gateway communities surrounding the Blue Ridge Parkway for the betterment of the region. Blue Ridge Rising aims to strengthen relationships and foster economic development within the North Carolina and Virginia communities that neighbor the Blue Ridge Parkway, one of the country’s most visited national parks.

March 7, 2025 Come out to the King Street Farmers Market to show appreciation for our local seniors! Our sponsors, Lifestore Bank, will be tabling the market to provide support for this integral part of the community. We are having a giveaway for our oldest farmers market shopper! If you think that you are the oldest shopper at the market, swing by the manager’s booth to enter to win a King Street Market Tote bag and a $20 gift card. Be sure to stay for a presentation at noon by Lifestore Bank on how to avoid phishing scams.

March 6, 2025 The WNC Honors Awards, a program of WNC Communities, is built on a 75-year tradition of recognizing rural community development clubs for their innovative ideas and grassroots solutions. These centers and clubs are the backbone of community cohesion running through our beloved mountains. The culmination of this year’s WNC Honors Program occurred virtually on February 27th with community leaders and volunteers from 15 Western North Carolina counties and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians. These 73 communities received a total of $106,500 in cash awards.

Elk River Helping Hands Concert Series to Support Hurricane Helene Relief Efforts in Western North Carolina

February 28, 2025 The people of North Carolina most affected by Hurricane Helene will receive a much-needed financial boost from a series of summer benefit concerts presented by the Elk River Helping Hands organization located in Banner Elk, NC. Former music attorney, artist manager, and television producer Bill Carter created the non-profit along with members of the Elk River Club. The organization serves as a financial resource for residents of western North Carolina impacted by illness, loss, or unforeseen hardship. The current efforts of Elk River Helping Hands are focused on relief efforts in Watauga and Avery counties following Hurricane Helene. “We had no idea how timely our efforts would turn out to be,” Carter said. “The hurricane may have done its initial damage in September, but the need is still staggering.”

It’s Been 5 Months, Five Things You Need to Know About How 828 is Recovering After Helene

February 27, 2025 Over five months after Hurricane Helene devastated Western North Carolina, the region continues to grapple with significant recovery challenges. While progress has been made, several critical needs remain unmet: Job Loss due to Helene: Beyond the physical destruction, Hurricane Helene inflicted significant economic hardship on Western North Carolina. Widespread job losses due to business closures and damage exacerbate individuals’ and families’ challenges while striving to rebuild their homes and lives. In the immediate aftermath of Hurricane Helene, the Foscoe Home Team sprang into action, providing essential resources to ease the immense hardship caused by widespread unemployment. From the first few days following the storm, FHT has offered food assistance, utility aid, and housing support, helping those affected stay afloat while they searched for new employment or rebuilt their businesses.

Down Home North Carolina Advocates for Helene Recovery Funds at Public Comment Session

February 27, 2025 Today, Down Home Ashe County took a stand for building and repairing working-class housing in the High Country to repair damage from Hurricane Helene. At a public comment session before the High Country Council of Governments in Boone, Down Home members wearing their signature blue shirts voiced their support for policies that ensure working families, seniors, and young professionals can find and maintain stable housing.

February 21, 2025 Blue Ridge Conservancy (BRC) continues to preserve land for public access in Ashe County, and recently completed the purchase of 32 acres on the northern slope of Mount Jefferson that will be added to the Mount Jefferson State Natural Area. This land, along with an adjoining 36 acres, will provide the critical link between Paddy Mountain and Mount Jefferson for the Northern Peaks State Trail (NPST). The property was purchased from Jefferson resident Sandra Barrett and her family.

February 21, 2025 WAMY Community Action is inviting residents of Watauga, Avery, Mitchell, and Yancey counties to share their voice through the 2025 Community Needs Assessment Survey. Conducted every three years, this vital survey helps WAMY design and refine programs that meet the most pressing needs of local communities. Participation from community members is essential to shaping the services our residents rely on. Businesses, agencies, neighbors, and anyone with a passion for improving our community are encouraged to not only complete the survey but to share it widely. The voice of the community is what guides effective change and lasting impact.

Blue Ridge Chapter NCNPS Announces Planting Day on Saturday, March 1st

February 18, 2025 On Saturday, March 1st at 1pm, we will be having a livestake planting party at Green Valley Park. These livestakes have been donated by Blue Ridge RC&D. All the shrubs along the riparian area along the river were displaced by Helene. These plantings will serve to secure the remaining land along the river. Instructions for how to plant a livestake will be given at the planting day. If you can, bring a piece of rebar, hammer and clippers. This is a fun activity and does so much native habitat

February 13, 2025 In support of local potters and restaurants impacted by Hurricane Helene, the Hunger and Health Coalition and Watauga High School has chosen to postpone their annual Empty Bowls event until 2026. Empty Bowls is a community staple and longstanding partnership with art students at Watauga High School, local potters to provide pottery, and local restaurants to provide soup for patrons to enjoy. Typically, restaurants donate soup for the event, local potters donate their work, and Watauga High School students create clay bowls to raise funds to support the mission of Hunger and Health Coalition – transforming our community’s hunger into health.

+ More Articles

Casting Bread Presents the 10th Annual Ducky Regatta — A Celebration of Community and Compassion

Watauga County Farmers’ Market Temporarily Relocating to ASU’s State Farm Lot During Repaving Project

Blowing Rock Community Library Receives Donation of Handcrafted Reading Tables for Community Room

Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation Awarded $5 Million Grant for Regional Tourism

Helping Hands Concert Series Brings Big Names to Banner Elk at Hayes Auditorium

Great News—More Tickets Available for Power of the Purse on June 26! New Larger Venue at the Holmes Convocation Center in Boone

Status of the Mountains-to-Sea Trail Six Months After Hurricane Helene

Winners Announced for 2025 Boone Area Chamber of Commerce 4 Under 40 Awards

Watauga County Farmers’ Market Opens for the 2025 Season on Saturday, April 5

Blue Ridge Conservancy Protects Southern Appalachian Mountain Bog in Alleghany County

App State to Host Lab iMPACTLY Workshop April 3 to Help Nonprofits Maximize Effectiveness

Appalachian Culture Day at the King Street Market on March 29th from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m

Courtney Taylor Joins Watauga Humane Society Team

Gallop for Good: Spirit Ride Kentucky Derby-Themed Fundraiser Tickets go on Sale March 10th – Don’t Miss Out!

WAMY Community Action Invites Volunteers to Join 2025 WAMY Warrior Volunteer Service Days

Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation Announces Ambassadors for Blue Ridge Rising Program

The King Street Farmers’ Market Will Host Senior Day on March 15th From 10 a.m. to 1 p.m

Regional Community Centers Recognized at WNC Honors Awards

Elk River Helping Hands Concert Series to Support Hurricane Helene Relief Efforts in Western North Carolina

It’s Been 5 Months, Five Things You Need to Know About How 828 is Recovering After Helene

Down Home North Carolina Advocates for Helene Recovery Funds at Public Comment Session

Blue Ridge Conservancy Protects Northern Slope of Mount Jefferson, Creates Link for Northern Peaks State Trail

WAMY Community Action Seeks Community Input Through Needs Assessment Survey

Blue Ridge Chapter NCNPS Announces Planting Day on Saturday, March 1st

Empty Bowls to Postpone Their Annual Event Until 2026 in Consideration of Local Potters and Restaurants Impacted by Hurricane Helene