High Country United Way Awards $226,625 to Area Agencies

High Country United Way has  awarded $226,625 to agencies in Avery, Ashe, Alleghany, Mitchell and Watauga. Grants are funded by private donations, business/employee donations and foundation grants. Agencies receiving funding were invited to attend the awards breakfast on August 30th. Agencies in Mitchell County receiving funds are: Bakersville Community Medical Clinic (Medical Equipment Assistance Program), Blue Ridge Partnership for Children (Play and Learn Literacy Development Program), Mitchell County 4-H (Summer Youth Development Program), Mitchell County Safe Place (Behavioral Health Support Program), Mitchell County Shepherd’s Staff (Food and Utilities Assistance Program), Mitchell County Habitat for Humanity (Financial Literacy Program), Center for Rural Health Innovation (Access to Health Care Program), WAMY (Total Family Development Program) and Hospitality House (RISE and Crisis Assistance Program). Of the Mitchell County agencies, Mitchell County Shepherd’s Staff’s Food and Utilities Assistance Program is receiving the most with $2,340.

Agencies awarded funds in Avery  and Watauga Counties are: Avery County Schools (Blue Ridge Academy Student Vision Reality), Blue Ridge Partnership for Children (SCOTTIE Bus), Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture (Community Gardens Food Access Program), Casting Bread Food Pantry (Food Assistance Program), Children’s Council of Watauga (Raising a Reader, Family Literacy and Quality Support for Daycare Workers), Community Care Clinic (Access to Health Care), Appalachian State University (Foster Grandparents, Parent to Parent and Senior Companion), Avery County Habitat for Humanity (Financial Literacy Program), Watauga County Habitat for Humanity (Financial Literacy Program), High Country Community Health (Avery County Dental Services Expansion), Hospitality House (Crisis Assistance and Rapid Rehousing, Publix Employee Emergency Fund and RISE), Hunger and Health Coalition (Food Assistance Program and Pharmacy Assistance Program), Kari’s Home for Women (Beautiful Daughter Recovery Program), Mediation and Restorative Justice (Mediation Program in Watauga and Avery), Mediation and Restorative Justice (drug court), Mountain Alliance (for both Avery and Watauga County schools), OASIS (emergency shelter and victim’s legal assistance program), South Mountain Children and Family Services (transportation assistance), Spirit Ride (Equine Therapy Program), Sugar Grove Developmental Day School (low income tuition assistance), Volunteer Avery County (Food Assistance Program), WAMY (Total Family Development Program, Garden Assistance for Seniors and Avery Yo), Watauga County Schools (Afterschool Scholarship Program), Western Youth Network (Mentoring Program and Afterschool and Summer Programs), Williams YMCA of Avery County (Chronic Disease Management Program) and Yellow Mountain Enterprises (Sheltered Workshop Program and Clothing Assistance Program. Of these, WAMY is receiving the most funds in the amount of $20,405 for the Total Family Development Program, $579 for the Garden Assistance for Seniors and $2,720 for Avery Yo — totaling $23,704.

Blue Ridge Opportunities Commission is receiving $7,000 for its Ashe County operations and $5,000 for Alleghany County operations of the Self Sufficiency Program.

HCUW stated that money raised in Avery and Watauga funds programs in those counties. Money raised in Mitchell would go toward funding programs in Mitchell. However, grants from foundations may fund programs across several counties.

HCUW Executive Director Gary Childers said each year the needs are doubling and the number of requests the agency receives are twice what they can fund. He called upon the community to help donate and volunteer with their local agencies.

For more information on HCUW, visit highcountryunitedway.org.