NonProfits Archives

NC Community Foundation awards $9M in grants for long-term recovery from Helene

February 23, 2026 Boone, NC – February 23, 2026 NCCF accepted grant applications for long-term recovery in the fall. More than 300 applications were received, requesting over $25 million to address needs in the region. Grant applications were reviewed by a group of over 30 people from western North Carolina, who provided feedback on the requests. “The scope and scale of requests highlight the significant challenges still facing western North Carolina,” said Jennifer Tolle Whiteside, president & CEO of the North Carolina Community Foundation.

January 13, 2026 Boone, NC – January 13, 2026 -Nonprofit leaders in the High Country are currently facing an unprecedented secondary trauma crisis—managing their own losses while leading organizations through a regional emergency. In rural communities like the High Country, nonprofits often serve as the primary public infrastructure supporting vulnerable individuals and families, particularly in matters of safety and wellness. As a result, these leaders are carrying not only personal and organizational strain, but also the weight of sustaining one of the few systems of care available to their communities during a time of profound need.

December 26, 2025 Boone, NC – December 26, 2025 -“This is just a Christmas miracle.” said Jesslynn Forsyth, Kinship Navigator for High Country Caregivers. “Honda wanted to team up with us and provide our children with bicycles. That doesn’t happen a lot, so we are very fortunate to have been picked.”

November 26, 2025 Boone, NC – November 26, 2025 -Casting Bread continues to serve as a vital resource for the region, providing food assistance, nutrition programs and compassionate support to local individuals and families. Contributions like this help ensure the nonprofit can meet the rising demand and maintain its mission of feeding the community with dignity.

HIGH COUNTRY — Designers, businesses and groups of individuals are hanging ornaments trimming evergreens with garland and ribbon, decorating trees for the annual Festival of Trees, to light up the High Country beginning the week of November 17. The holiday event — with more than 100 decorated trees and wreaths displayed across Watauga, Ashe and Avery counties — raises money to support area children through the Western Youth Network (WYN). The beautifully designed trees and wreaths, many loaded with area gift certificates, art, goods and services, are sold to the public on an online auction which opens at noon on Wednesday, November 19 and concludes at 8pm on Thursday, December 4. Several events are scheduled during the first week of December to invite the community to experience the festival and to showcase WYN’s work and mission. A free holiday film showing of “Elf”, airing at the Appalachian Theatre at 7pm on Monday, December 1, kicks off the week with an evening for the whole family to enjoy. (Reservations are suggested.) On Tuesday, December 2, the public is invited to participate in a wreathmaking workshop, donating their finished creations to be auctioned for WYN. Tickets for the workshop are currently available …

November 17, 2025 Boone, NC – November 17, 2025 -“This project has been years in the making, and it stands as a testament to what collaboration can achieve,” stated Boone mayor Tim Futrelle.

November 17, 2025 Boone, NC – November 17, 2025 -The hour-long event begins at 11 a.m. and is included with park admission. The tree, which will be harvested on Wednesday, Nov. 19, is from Mountain Top Fraser Fir farm in Newland, N.C. Owner Larry Smith has previously supplied trees to the White House, North Carolina State Capitol and other prominent government buildings and residences.

“When someone presents a need, we typically have it in the store,” Trice said. “If we don’t, I place the need on Facebook and the community provides. The community that supports Foscoe Home Team is amazing; they show love for people they don’t know each and every day.”

October 5, 2025 BANNER ELK, N.C. – In early September of 2024, a small group of Elk River Club residents announced the formation of a charity to assist mountain residents in times of crisis. Elk River Helping Hands, a 501(c)(3) non-profit, was barely up and running when Hurricane Helene created one of the worst-ever natural disasters in the North Carolina mountains.

July 9, 2025 The 2025 Back 2 School Festival will be held on Saturday, August 9 at Watauga High School, continuing its mission to ensure every Watauga County student starts the school year confident and prepared. Nearly 40% of Watauga’s 4,600 public school students qualify for free or reduced lunch, and in some schools that number is even higher. As the average cost of school supplies climbs above $150 per child, many families are forced to make impossible choices between essentials like food, rent, or getting their children ready for school.

June 23, 2025 The Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation has secured a three-year, $750,000 grant from the Dogwood Health Trust to support regional strategies to advance tourism and related economic development. The grant activities will benefit workers and businesses in numerous gateway communities along the Blue Ridge Parkway in North Carolina. The Dogwood Health Trust grant will help implement economic development strategies outlined in the Blue Ridge Rising Action Plan, created with the input of hundreds of community leaders in the counties that neighbor the national park.

June 13, 2025 The 67th annual Blowing Rock Tour of Homes returns this year with a very special focus on the question “Who is my neighbor?” in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, and the forest fires that followed across much of the region feeding on the downed trees from that epic storm. Blowing Rock itself was spared the devastation witnessed across the rest of western North Carolina, and four of its lovely homes have opened their doors to help fund recovery and rebuilding efforts. Tour co-chair John Jordan explained, “Jesus’ parable of the Good Samaritan shows that a neighbor is anyone in need whom you are able to help. It can be anyone, even those you might not consider your ‘neighbors’ in the traditional sense.”

June 9, 2025 Frontline to Farm will welcome veterans transitioning from military service to sustainable farming to the High Country for its fifth consecutive year and the fourth consecutive year that they’ll be hosting participants at Appalachian State University. The program’s annual intensive training features local and national experts covering essential topics from soil conservation to agricultural law, complemented by hands-on farm tours across the High Country. Summer training is cornerstone project of the Frontline to Farm program and represents a collaborative effort between faculty in Appalachian State University’s Departments of Sustainable Development and Communication.

The Watauga Arts Council Introduces Summer Art Classes for All Ages

June 2, 2025 The Watauga Arts Council (WAC) has announced their latest in upcoming summer classes and workshops. Taught by numerous skilled instructors, WAC’s variety of classes provide students the opportunity to learn a new craft or hone in on their current artistic skills. Upcoming courses and workshops for the summer include:

Blue Scholarship Awarded to Genevieve Li Jing Waugh, Watauga High School Student

June 2, 2025 Genevieve “Gigi” Li Jing Waugh, a Watauga High School student, was awarded the John and Ruth Blue Scholarship. She is the 24th recipient of the scholarship which this year awarded $8,000 and is renewable annually for up to four years. The scholarship is awarded by the John and Ruth Blue Scholarship Endowment, a fund of the Watauga County Community Foundation. Genevieve is the daughter of Lynne and Wes Waugh. She is one of the top academic students at Watauga and an AP Scholar.

May 29, 2025 The Watauga County Farmers’ Market is pleased to announce its return to Daniel Boone Park, located at 591 Horn in the West Drive, beginning Saturday, May 31. After a temporary relocation to Appalachian State University’s State Farm lot during a repaving project, the Market is excited to welcome customers back to its longtime home — now with a smoother, safer, and more navigable parking lot and market space. “We are thrilled to return to Daniel Boone Park,” said Michelle Dineen, Market Director. “This is the heart of our Market community, and it’s home for the past 50 years! We’re grateful for the improvements that will make it even more welcoming and accessible for everyone.”

May 29, 2025 On May 22, the High Country community gathered at The White Crow Farm in Banner Elk for WAMY Community Action’s annual Denim & Diamonds gala. The enchanting evening welcomed over 250 guests and raised an incredible $119,000 to aid families in Watauga, Avery, Mitchell, and Yancey Counties. Proceeds will focus on supporting low-income families, particularly those still recovering from the damage caused by Hurricane Helene.

Banner Elk Police Department Partners with Hurricane Creek K9 Foundation to Launch Town’s First-Ever K9 Program

May 27, 2025 The Banner Elk Police Department is proud to announce a new partnership with the Hurricane Creek K9 Foundation to bring the first-ever police K9 to the Town of Banner Elk—a historic step in rebuilding and strengthening public safety after the devastating impacts of Hurricane Helene in 2024. Banner Elk, a small mountain town known for its charm, resilience, and thriving tourism economy, suffered widespread damage during the storm. The town was completely cut off, with all entry and exit points washed out, and its residents went without water for over a month. Among the hardest-hit facilities was the Banner Elk Police Department, which was flooded to the point of being rendered uninhabitable. To this day, officers remain displaced, working out of temporary arrangements as recovery efforts continue.

May 26, 2025. Once delayed by Hurricane Helene, a long-anticipated mural project is about to breathe new life into key tunnels along the Middle Fork Greenway, the scenic trail system that will eventually connect Boone to Blowing Rock. Thanks to the support of the AARP’s Community Challenge Grant, the Watauga Arts Council (WAC) is proud to announce that local artist Whitney Landwehrmann will soon begin officially painting three vibrant murals in the tunnels at Tweetsie Railroad and Mystery Hill.

May 23, 2025. Experience 19th-century life in Banner Elk and the High Country in the home of Samuel Henry Banner, one of Banner Elk’s early settlers and his his wife, Jane Hyder Banner, and their seven children. The circa 1870 house has been furnished with period heirlooms donated and loaned by area residents to tell the story of Banner Elk life from the 1870’s to the 1900’s. An exhibition room highlights local history from the nineteenth and twentieth centuries. In addition, visitors may see a volunteer weaver demonstrating traditional hand-weaving techniques on a floor loom.

May 21, 2025. High Country Caregivers hosted the 4th Annual Coaches’ Invitational Golf Tournament Sunday, May 18 and Monday, May 19. The two-day event raised more than $190,000 to fund the organization’s efforts to support families whose caregivers are raising relatives’ or friends’ children. The Sunday evening kickoff included dinner held outside under the tent at Chetola Resort. Nearly 200 guests enjoyed great food and service from Chetola, a silent auction, a cigar/old-fashioned cocktail tent and speakers who shared their observations of and experiences with High Country Caregivers. Coach Bobby Cremins was the keynote speaker. He shared many stories from his decades of coaching, including his transition from Appalachian State to Georgia Tech.

May 20, 2025. Spirit Ride Therapeutic Riding Center is thrilled to announce the overwhelming success of its 2025 Derby Day fundraiser, held on May 3 at the Broyhill Equestrian Preserve in Blowing Rock. The event raised an incredible $26,000—enough to provide life-changing equine-assisted sessions for the 2025 Season.

Guests enjoyed a festive afternoon of food, music, and derby excitement, all in support of Spirit Ride’s mission to offer therapeutic riding services at no cost to families.

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.

+ More Articles

NC Community Foundation awards $9M in grants for long-term recovery from Helene

Crossnore’s Center for Trauma Resilient Communities Launches Initiative in Avery, Mitchell, and Yancey Counties to Strengthen Nonprofit Leadership and Post-Helene Resilience

Honda’s Bikes to Kids Project Gives HCC Kids Wheels for Christmas

Blue Ridge Brokerage and Mountain Fence & Deck partner to donate over 600 pounds of food to Casting Bread

The community lights up for the 11th annual Festival of Trees

Breaking Ground at Rivers House Park

Grandfather Mountain to kick off holiday season with tree arrival and festivities

Foscoe Home Team: Helping people navigate the storms of life

In First Year, Helping Hands Assisted Many Impacted by Helene

Back 2 School Festival Returns August 9, 2025 – Community Support Needed Now More Than Ever

Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation Expands Efforts to Enhance Tourism Economy

2025 Blowing Rock Tour of Homes Highlights “Who Is My Neighbor?” on Friday, July 25th

Frontline to Farm Returns for Fourth Consecutive Year of Veterans Training in Boone

The Watauga Arts Council Introduces Summer Art Classes for All Ages

Blue Scholarship Awarded to Genevieve Li Jing Waugh, Watauga High School Student

Watauga County Farmers’ Market Returns to Daniel Boone Park on May 31

W.A.M.Y. Community Action’s Denim & Diamonds 2025 Event Shines Bright, Raising $119,000 to Support High Country Families

Banner Elk Police Department Partners with Hurricane Creek K9 Foundation to Launch Town’s First-Ever K9 Program

Mural Project Set to Transform Middle Fork Greenway Tunnel Near Tweetsie Railroad

Banner House Museum Announces Hours, Tours, and Tickets for Summer 2025

High Country Caregivers Host 4th Annual Coaches’ Invitational Golf Tournament at Blowing Rock Country Club

A Winning Day at the Derby: Spirit Ride Raises $26K for Children’s Therapeutic Programs

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