More than 200 supporters donned their denim best to celebrate and contribute to WAMY Community Action initiatives at Denim & Diamonds 2023. The second annual charity event and auction was held Thursday, May 18, at the White Crow Farm in Valle Crucis to raise money for poverty-fighting programs in Watauga, Avery, Mitchell and Yancey counties. Proceeds from the event will fund summer camp scholarships for children and necessary home repairs for impoverished people in the four-county area. Over $87,000 was raised, which was the largest amount ever raised at a WAMY event.
“We were overwhelmed by the generosity and support of our sponsors and event attendees,” said Brittany Luxton, the incoming Executive Director of WAMY Community Action. “The money raised will make such a difference in the lives of those experiencing poverty within our community. WAMY is committed to helping individuals and families in need and donors help us help more people.”
WAMY Home Repair and Weatherization Program assists low-income households, many comprised of elderly or disabled people who are unable to afford or perform necessary home repairs themselves. “
This summer, WAMY is launching its newest Youth program, “Support Our Students” (S.O.S.) — sponsoring children in attending various camps across the region. “Our goal is to maintain safe supervision for school-aged children during the summer months so that their parents and guardians can maintain employment and self-sufficiency,” Luxton said.
About W.A.M.Y. Community Action
Established in 1964, W.A.M.Y. (Watauga, Avery, Mitchell, Yancey) is a Community Action Agency and was the first human-service non-profit to come to the High Country’s four-county area. W.A.M.Y.’s mission is to partner with families and communities to provide the disadvantaged with the support they need to become self-sufficient. W.A.M.Y. conducts a community needs assessment every three years and programs are designed according to the needs of the community. Currently W.A.M.Y. has four programs- Youth Development, Food & Nutrition, Housing & Energy, and Total Family Development. To learn more or donate visit wamycommunityaction.org.
About Community Action Agencies
A Community Action Agency (CAA) is a local organization with the mission of reducing poverty through locally designed and delivered programs and services, targeted to the specific needs of the community. CAAs exist in virtually every county in the U.S., numbering more than 1,000 nationwide. Most are private nonprofits, but some are units of local government. They are state-designated but locally controlled, governed by a tripartite board that represents the low-income community, local elected officials, and private and public community stakeholders.
