AF Bank And Insurance Donates Office Space To Appalachian Women’s Fund

Save the Date: Women of Vision Luncheon June 5

Story by Kathleen McFadden

The Appalachian Women’s Fund, a philanthropic group of women dedicated to helping women and girls in the mountains of North Carolina, has a home base, thanks to AF Bank and Insurance’s donation of office space in the AF Bank Building on Blowing Rock Road.

A spokesperson for the Appalachian Women’s Fund said, “We want to thank Bob Washburn, president and chief executive officer for AF Financial, and David Cottrell, vice president-Boone area executive for AF Bank, for giving us this location in their building. AF is such an asset to our area and we are so delighted to be associated with them.”

Washburn said, “The Appalachian Women’s Fund has a list of such outstanding women from this community that we are proud to be able to help.”

The mission of the Appalachian Women’s Fund—an all-volunteer grant-making organization—is to be a philanthropic catalyst for social change and economic justice with the goal of creating a community where all women and girls reach their full potential.

The members of the Appalachian Women’s Fund recognize an indisputable link between poverty, low self-esteem, inadequate healthcare, job access, domestic violence and being female. The Appalachian Women’s Fund’s grant making, along with advocacy training and community building, are the key elements members will use to achieve the goal of helping all women and girls reach their full potential.

David Cottrell, vice president-Boone area executive for AF Bank, was instrumental in arranging for an office space donation for the Appalachian Women’s Fund in the AF Bank Building on Blowing Rock Road. The fund’s initial financial base came from the Ethel and W. George Kennedy Family Foundation, represented by local residents Karyn Kennedy Herterich and Kathleen Kennedy-Olsen. The Schaefer Family Foundation, represented by Bonnie and Jamie Schaefer, owners of Westglow Resort and Spa, provided additional funding.

Since the Appalachian Women’s Fund’s inception in December 2007, more than 50 women have joined.

The Appalachian Women’s Fund’s first official event is the Women of Vision Luncheon on Thursday, June 5, but the event is more than just a luncheon. The program committee has lined up several fun activities.

The day begins at the Hayes Performing Arts Center with a screening of the film Homeless to Harvard, inspired by the incredible life story of Liz Murray who transformed a dead-end existence into a remarkable tale of success. Murray will attend the screening and conduct a short question and answer period after the film.

Next on the day’s agenda is a luncheon at the Blowing Rock Country Club where Murray will tell her story—one of the most uplifting tales you will ever hear.

After lunch, attendees will have the opportunity to bid on an array of unique items during the live auction.

Tickets for the Women of Vision Luncheon will be available in April.

For information about how to become part of the Appalachian Women’s Fund, click to www.appalachianwomensfund.org or call 828-264-4002.