WNC Communities

WNC Communities empowers the people of Western North Carolina to cultivate the vitality and prosperity of our mountain communities through collaboration and agricultural opportunities.

Duke Energy Donates $10,000 to WNC Honors Awards

December 5, 2022

Duke presents a check to WNC Communities

WNC Communities was grateful to receive a donation of $10,000 from Duke Energy to support our 73rd Annual WNC Honors Awards. 

Duke Energy donated $10,000 for WNC Communities to pass through to our community development clubs at our 73rd Annual WNC Honors Awards held on November 12, 2022.  This donation made up a significant portion of the total of $50,000 given out to our member clubs this year.   During the ceremony, Craig DeBrew, District Manager for Duke Energy, helped hand out the awards. Afterward, he said, “It is always inspiring and encouraging to participate in the WNC Honors Awards event.  Duke Energy is proud to support the 64 rural community organizations who, thanks to thousands of volunteers, are working to have positive impacts in their mountain communities.”

The money from Duke and our other sponsors helps community centers across twenty Western North Carolina counties to provide a wide variety of services to their residents.  This year, 7,144 volunteers contributed an impressive 96,158 hours of their time to assist their communities. Their efforts improve rural quality of life and include vital assistance such as feeding those in need, providing emergency assistance for families experiencing hardship such as after storms, and hosting agencies that help with health care access.  Community centers often provide resources to help people get ahead such Wi-Fi access, libraries, thrift stores, educational classes, and even rental space for small businesses.  These clubs also provide a rare place in our rural areas for people to gather and connect over monthly dinners, Easter egg hunts, 4th of July celebrations, festivals, and many other creative opportunities to socialize.

Craig DeBrew, who is also on WNC Communities’ board, is pictured above at right, presenting the check to our Board Chair, Jimmy Cowan.   On behalf of all our community clubs, we thank Duke Energy for their generous support!

If your company is interested in sponsoring our 73rd Annual WNC Honors Awards, please contact Jennifer Ferre at (828) 252-4783

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