I usually end my articles with the positive affirmation, “It’s all about community spirit”. In this Mountain Breeze, it’s my title headline. Let me cite some examples of how fortunate and blessed we are to live in this community.
In August, the Olympiad Sports Festival was pulled off successfully in spite of all the COVID negatives and drew over 800 athletes to our area. The events raised over $20,000 for local charities, causes and service organizations. Checks totaling over $8000 have been issued to our service organizations that handled all of the medical and safety concerns over the three day weekend. Donations were also made to Outreach, the Library, LLCA and Lions Club with a large check for $3000 going to the “breakfast/lunch program” at LLCA. Thank you Olympiad!
While this was all going on, the Hickory Nut Gorge Foundation fulfilled a grant request for $1000 to the new LLCA “Family and Consumer Sciences” curriculum. The money was used to purchase equipment and supplies to get the new course and program underway. In addition, the Foundation also gave its largest grant to date of $5000 to the county’s library systems new Bookmobile that will bring and promote literacy and technology into the extreme rural areas of Rutherford County. And not to be outdone, our local “Friends of the Library” matched the Foundation’s grant with another $5000 to further pay for the cost of the Bookmobile.
The various organizations could not make an impact like this without all the involvement and contributions from all the volunteers across the Gorge. Mega-thank you to everyone! May I reiterate ….. It’s people helping people and it’s all about community spirit!
As a parting reminder, if you haven’t already done so, get out and vote for your local candidates on November 2nd.
Have a great Thanksgiving and subsequent holiday season!
Lake Lure Classical Academy teacher Madison Chinea accepts the “Big Check” from HNG Foundation Board Member Woody Turner for $1000 to support the new LLCA course “Family and Consumer Sciences”.
The HNG Foundation supports many causes and organizations across the Gorge and thanks all those who contribute to the Foundation to make these grants possible.
Patti Stewart, Cathe Frierman and Dianne Ward. Backing them up, left to right, are Dru Buesing (peeking around Patti’s head), Beth Gordon, Patti Johnson and Debby Haugh. Thank you Library team!
LLCA Director Barbara Cohen accepts another “Big Check” from Olympiad Chairperson Kay Dittmer for $3000 to support the “Lunch Bunch” program. Director Cohen says, “We are so appreciative and thankful for all the support we get
from the Lake Lure community. It is so wonderful to have close partners in the development of our Academy children.”
The “Friends of the Library Board” display their contribution to the exciting new “Bookmobile” of $5000. Holding the “Big Check”, left to right, are
Patti Stewart, Cathe Frierman and Dianne Ward. Backing them up, left to right, are Dru Buesing (peeking around Patti’s head), Beth Gordon, Patti Johnson and Debby Haugh. Thank you Library team!
Lake Lure Fire Chief Dustin Waycaster on left, and Chimney Rock Fire Chief Chris Melton on right, accept checks from Olympiad Treasurer JoAnne Ellingson and Board member Debby Pinney Warren totaling $8000 for the local service organizations that supported the 2021 Olympiad. Not shown are Bills Creek Fire Chief Jamie Howell, Fairfield Mountains Fire Chief Gary Wilson and LL Police Chief Sean Humphries.
Dustin and Chris committed to forwarding on the checks to the other service agencies.
On right to left, April Young, Rutherford County Library Director
and Patti Stewart of the local Library Board receive a $5000 grant for the library
fund for a “Bookmobile” from HNG Foundation Board members Jack Barton and
Woody Turner. The bookmobile will bring literacy and technology to the remote
rural areas of Rutherford County. (Photo, right) The “Friends of the Library Board”
display their contribution to the exciting new “Bookmobile” of $5000. Holding the
“Big Check”, left to right, are Patti Stewart, Cathe Frierman and Dianne Ward.
Backing them up, left to right, are Dru Buesing (peeking around Patti’s head),
Beth Gordon, Patti Johnson and Debby Haugh. Thank you Library team!
