Serving Boone, Blowing Rock, Banner Elk, and other towns of the North Carolina High Country
Founded 05-05-05

United Way Expects To Meet 2007 Fundraising Goal

Story by Kathleen McFadden

The High Country United Way 2006-07 Campaign ends on March 31, and Executive Director Jenny Miller couldn’t be happier. The current total stands at 96 percent of this campaign’s $500,000 fundraising goal, and Miller said that because of a generous $25,000 match gift, the United Way will not only meet but exceed its most ambitious financial goal yet.

“We’d like to thank the community for believing in us,” Miller said. “We’ll have so much more money to allocate to partner agencies this year than last year.”

Grant applications are due to the United Way by April 2. The allocations committees will meet June 2, and money will be distributed in July, Miller said.

One of the year’s biggest successes has been the High Country Women’s Fund, launched last fall with the area’s first-ever Power of the Purse luncheon. Women from Watauga and Avery counties came together to hear about the women’s initiative and donated generously to the fund. “We really touched a nerve with the Women’s Fund,” Miller said.

United Way Board Member Nancy Ashline said that the 26 members of the director’s circle are “the most enthusiastic, supportive group of women I have ever seen.

“What we want to do is empower women—with education, self-esteem and financial literacy,” Ashline continued. “The added benefit of the fund is that we not only affect one life, but also the lives of their children.”

So far, the High Country Women’s Fund has supported women both collectively and individually.

Collective support has been through OASIS transitional housing, Family Solutions transitional housing, research of women’s transportation and childcare needs, English as a second language and life skills classes for Hispanic mothers, a clothing drive for women in need and establishment of a community van fund and a Women’s Resource Center fund.

Among the individuals receiving help are a single mother enrolled at Mayland who needed a computer, a local woman who received a scholarship to Caldwell and a single mother of four whose transportation needs were met.

“We don’t necessarily want women who are going through crisis,” Ashline said, pointing out that several agencies can provide crisis help. Instead, she continued, the fund is more focused on women who are struggling with difficulties in their lives and need a boost to move forward. “This is near and dear to my heart—helping people break the cycle,” Ashline said.

OASIS, W.A.M.Y. Community Action, Hospitality House and Volunteer Avery identify women in need and refer their cases to the Women’s Fund directors. The United Way office does not directly work with women who want to apply for assistance.

More important news coming from the High Country United Way is that Jenny Miller has joined the statewide United Way Board of Directors, one of six local United Way directors serving on the 30-member board. Miller hopes to use her position to raise awareness about “small United Ways.”

The United Way Annual Day of Caring is scheduled for Saturday, April 21, and Miller is looking for projects and volunteers. Call 828-265-2111 for info