Blowing Rock TDA Thanks Local School PTO with Contribution

Photo submitted

The Blowing Rock Tourism Development Authority (TDA) recently made a donation of $2,000 to the Blowing Rock School Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO). Pictured from left to right are Blowing Rock TDA Director Tracy Brown, Blowing Rock School PTO Co-President Danny Kirkland and PTO Secretary Season Devereux, along with Blowing Rock School students Avery, Molly, Will, Lily and Will. The donation was a thank you for the contributions the PTO made during the Cycle North Carolina event held in Blowing Rock in late September, according to Brown.

The Blowing Rock School PTO and many school children assisted the TDA with set-up, camping, a morning breakfast and cleanup of the school grounds and Davant Ball Field, according to Brown.

“With more than 1,000 riders coming to town and about half of them wanting to camp at the school, we couldn’t have pulled the event off without the help of the PTO and the kids. The parents and children of Blowing Rock School were the best ambassadors we could have had,” said Brown. “This is an example of how tourism can benefit the local community beyond taxes and straight commerce. It’s always nice to see our schools and nonprofits benefit from something like this. It’s a win-win for sure.”

Co-presidents of the Blowing Rock School PTO Danny Kirkland and Kevin Tincher both were eager to be a part of the event.

“It gave us an opportunity to raise money for the organization and the school while teaching our kids a few good lessons at the same time,” Kirkland said.

“The PTO was able to gross over $5,000 and we couldn’t have done that if we weren’t part of the event. All the money will go to helping our teachers help our kids,” Tincher added.

The Blowing Rock TDA is a division of the Town of Blowing Rock. Its mission is to promote, solicit and encourage tourism, and to provide tourism-related services. The TDA, which owns and operates the Visitor Center and leases space to the Blowing Rock Chamber, also hosts the Blowing Rock Arts and History Museum (BRAHM) in its facility.