Hospitality House Partners with Artist William Mangum and Honor Card Program

Honor Cards, which feature a painting by artist William Mangum titled “Moving On,” are available at several locations in the High Country and can be purchased for $5. All proceeds benefit Hospitality House.

Inspired by a chance meeting between artist William Mangum and a homeless man more than 20 years ago, the Honor Card program has raised more than $2.65 million for homelessness. Hospitality House is taking part in the program in 2009 as part of its fundraising efforts.

Each year, the Honor Card features a contemplative painting by Mangum, one of the most respected and collected artists in North Carolina. Mangum’s introduction to the plight of homelessness came through an appeal from a hungry man named Mike Saavedra one morning in a Greensboro fast food restaurant. Mangum bought the gentleman breakfast and took him to a shelter for clothes and food—and ultimately became his caretaker for three years.

In 2003, Mangum approached Wachovia Bank to participate as an underwriting sponsor to expand the Honor Card program outside of Greensboro. Now, nine other communities across North Carolina are able to take part in the program: Burlington, Durham, Fayetteville, Greenville, Hickory, Raleigh, Asheville, Winston-Salem and, beginning this year, Boone. With assistance from Wachovia’s Foundation grant, 100 percent of each donation goes directly to the local agency to help the homeless.

“Hospitality House is thrilled to partner with William Mangum and the Honor Card program,” said Jill Kuykendall Landers, director of development for Hospitality House.

“The Honor Card is a wonderful way to recognize a friend or family member this holiday season and at the same time give a meaningful gift to someone in need. We hope the program will be a successful tool to raise awareness and allow us to continue helping people rebuild their lives,” she said.

With a donation of $5 or more, a person receives an Honor Card to send to a friend or loved one, indicating that they have been honored by a donation to Hospitality House. During the past 21 years, more than half a million Honor Cards have been given. Hospitality House hopes to sell 3,000 cards this season, raising $15,000 that will be used to provide assistance and support for the needy and homeless of the local community.

The Honor Cards are available now throughout the holiday season at Hospitality House; Wachovia Bank branches in Boone, Blowing Rock and Wilkesboro; Mast General Stores in Boone and Valle Crucis; Boone Drug store locations of downtown Boone, King Street, Deerfield and New Market; Blackberry Creek Mattress Outlet; Higher Grounds Coffee Shop; Boone Bike & Touring; Cheap Joe’s Art Stuff; the office of Rob Angle, attorney; The Shoppes at Farmer’s Hardware; Laura’s Yarn-Tastic and several local churches.

Founded in 1984, Hospitality House is a nonprofit crisis intervention agency that provides shelter and services to the homeless, operates the community soup kitchen and administers WeCAN, the local crisis assistance program. Hospitality House is a High Country United Way agency.

Hospitality House encourages local businesses, individuals and civic groups to get involved. For more information, call Jill Kuykendall Landers at 828-262-3461.