Christmas in the Mountains Volume 3 CD Helps End Childhood Hunger

CD Now Available at 72 Locations Across High Country

Story by Sam Calhoun

The Hunger and Health Coalition’s Christmas in the Mountains Volume 3 CD is now available on the shelves of 72 locations across the High Country.

The Hunger and Health Coalition’s Christmas in the Mountains Volume 3 CD is now available on the shelves of 72 locations across the High Country. For $10, locals and visitors can purchase the CD and enjoy local performers producing new takes on timeless Christmas songs, while at the same time supporting the health and wellbeing of less fortunate members of the community.

“We are so proud of this year’s CD. So many old friends and new performers have given of their time and talents to make this CD exceptional. As coordinator of the Christmas CD project, I want to thank all the elves that have made this year’s CD possible. It is truly a community project,” said Leslie Shavell, coordinator of the Christmas CD project.

Artists on the CD include Amantha Mill, Todd Wright, Jeff Little & Friends, Diana and Sarvis Ridge, Strictly Clean & Decent, Rumple Memorial Presbyterian Church Choir, Bob and Ellie, Sharon Mitchell, Ruth and Steve Smith, Helen White, Joe Shannon, The Kinston Trio and Jessica Presnell.

“We are so proud to announce that generous donors have given us over $11,000, which is more than double what we needed to produce the CD,” said Shavell. “All the donations over production costs will go to the End Childhood Hunger in the High Country initiative. Our goal is to raise $35,000, and I know that we will do it. The community is behind us in this effort, and we want to thank everyone who will take us to that goal.”

The sales of 2008’s Christmas in the Mountains Volume 2 CD were overwhelming, according to organizers, with proceeds and donations netting more than $40,000.

All the proceeds from this year’s Christmas in the Mountains Volume 3 CD will fund a new initiative established by The Hunger and Health Coalition called “End Childhood Hunger in the High Country.” The initiative’s goal is to eliminate some of the food shortages that this economic crisis has brought to the local community.

“That is why the proceeds of the CD this year are more important than ever,” explained Shavell. “Food donations are down, so we have to purchase more and more food to feed the increasing number of folks who have lost their jobs and have no where to turn to get food and medicine but The Hunger and Health Coalition.”

Addressing the devastating impact of this crisis on children will be in the forefront of The Hunger and Health Coalition’s activities this year. The organization has taken steps to provide more food every month to families with children under 18. “The hunger these children are dealing with is no fault of their own,” said Shavell.

Although the food donated by many compassionate citizens has been very beneficial, additional food and supplies must be purchased to achieve the goals of the End Childhood Hunger in the High Country initiative. “We are trying to provide supplies for mothers who cannot afford to take care of their children. The supplies that we want to give these mothers include formula, baby food, vitamins and [over-the-counter] medicines for the little ones,” added Shavell.

In addition to the 72 locations, interested parties can also purchase a CD through the mail by sending a check for $12 with “Christmas CD” written on the memo portion of the check to: The Hunger and Health Coalition, PO Box 1837, Boone, NC 28607.

For more information about The Hunger and Health Coalition or to donate, call 828-262-1628.

Locations To Purchase Christmas in the Mountains Volume 3 CD

The following locations carry copies of the Christmas in the Mountains Volume 3 CD:

Banner Elk

Apple Hill Farm
BB&T Bank
New Lifestyles Carpet
Summit Realty

Beech Mountain
Fred’s General Mercantile

Boone

ArtWalk
ASU Bookstore
BB&T Bank
Bank of Granite
Bare Essentials
Black Bear Books
Bless Your Heart
Boone Drug (Downtown, King Street, Deerfield)
Café Portofino
Changes
Cheap Joe’s Art Stuff
Conrad’s Coffee Company (Shadowline)
Cornerstone Bookstore
Earth Fare
Framing By Lori
Green Mother Goods
Harkins’ Insurance Agency
The Hunger and Health Coalition
Mast General Store
Mike’s Inland Seafood
Mountain Bagels
Mountain Home Music Performances
Pepper’s Restaurant and Bar
Rydell Music Center
The Shoppes at Farmers
Stick Boy Bread Company
Tanner Factory Store
Wachovia Bank
Watauga Women’s Center
Walgreen’s Drugstore
Western Carolina Eye Associates

Blowing Rock

Blowing Rock Market
Blowing Rocket Office
Bob Timberlake Gallery
Boone Drug
Carriage Trade Antiques
Chetola Gift Shop
Christopher’s Wine & Cheese
Dulcimer Shop
Glidewell’s Restaurant
Kilwin’s Ice Cream (Downtown, Tanger Shops)
Meadowbrook Inn
Monkee’s Shoes
Mother Nature’s Produce
Neaco
Pleasant Papers
Poppy’s By Design
Rumple Memorial Presbyterian Church
St. Mary’s Episcopal Church
Wachovia Bank