Gathering via Zoom, WNC Communities members celebrated the accomplishments of 70 communities who participated in the WNC Honors Awards program in 2020. Galvanizing the efforts of 4,555 volunteers with an impressive 112,180 total hours of donated time, these communities conducted outreach programs dedicated to feeding those in need, COVID-response, beautification, health initiatives, beautification, education, boosting the local economy, and conservation. With a volunteer hour equated to $25, that adds up to an investment of over $3 million dollars in our WNC communities!
Two of the impactful ways people pitched in to address emerging needs from the pandemic were related to feeding their neighbors. Through the Fresh Food for Our Families CFWNC Grant, WNC Communities (WNCC) was able to pass through $10,000 worth of food to 22 communities in 7 counties via our members. As a partner of the Baptists on Mission in the Farmers to Families program, WNCC also worked with community volunteers to distribute 50,000 food boxes over eight months to 22 communities, plus the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians and four other organizations in 7 counties.
In addition, our communities’ collaborative efforts through the WNCC Get Counted census effort earned them $48,510 to support their programs. By counting an additional 2907 people for the U.S. Census, our communities also helped secure over $4 million per year for the next ten years for western North Carolina. Talk about a huge return on grant and volunteer time investments!
WNC Communities awarded:
71 communities $500 each
Additional Recognition:
Calico Cat Jr. Award to Golden Valley Community Club of Rutherford County
Calico Cat Sr. Award to Glenville Community Development Club of Jackson County
President’s Award for 25 years of Honors Participation to Spring Creek Community Center and to Walnut Community Foundation
Thanks to our 71st WNC Honors Sponsors!
We are grateful to our sponsors for their generous contributions. Thanks to their giving, we awarded $35,000 this year. A full 100% of their contributions go directly to the community awards. Communities use these much-needed funds to deliver their outreach programs and maintain their facilities. Without these donations, we would not be able to gather our communities together to share and celebrate best practices. Our deep appreciation goes to:
We also appreciate the wonderful support from these businesses:
Doubletree by Hilton Biltmore-Asheville
Fired Up Pottery
rbmcgee Portraits