FEBRUARY 4, 2010 ISSUE
Aiding Haiti: Local Groups, Organizations Support the Cause
Many High Country nonprofits and other groups have taken up the plight of the Haitian people after the January 12, magnitude-7.0 earthquake, and have organized events, made donations and otherwise contributed what they can.
Everyone who wants to get involved in the aid process can do so by donating to organizations such as the Watauga County Chapter of the American Red Cross and Wine to Water, buying “Hope for Haiti” t-shirts, attending the Saturday, February 6, High Country Cotillion Dance and more.
Wine To Water Raises Nearly $10,000 for Haiti
Wine To Water raised “close to $10,000” after two benefit events for Haiti took place two weeks ago—one at Char in Boone and one at Hearthstone Tavern and Grille in Banner Elk, said Annie Clawson, vice president of Wine to Water.
One hundred percent of the money benefits the organization’s Haiti Emergency Fund and will be used to purchase 500 water filters, which will last for five years and bring water to about 5,000 people, Clawson said.
The filters are given to families, orphanages, hospitals and more in different towns throughout Haiti, as well as in outlying villages where major aid organizations do not have an established presence, she said.
Other people in Boone are currently planning Wine to Water events, as is one person in California and a person in Charlotte, she added, and all of those monies will go to Haiti also.
Wine to Water, a Boone-based nonprofit, supports water projects worldwide, and president and founder Doc Hendley, who was nominated a Top 10 CNN Hero in October 2009, is currently in Haiti giving out water filters.
For those interested in hosting Wine to Water events or donating to the Haiti Emergency Fund, click to www.winetowater.org.
High Country Association of Realtors Donate to Haiti Disaster Relief Fund
The High Country Association of Realtors recently contributed $500 to the American Red Cross Haitian Disaster Relief Fund. The group's president, Hope Harvey, said the Realtors feel a strong need to help those facing such an absolute disaster and that the American Red Cross is a trustworthy group to help rebuild the area. She said this is the Association's first step in what may be a longer-term effort to help with relief to Haiti.
Donations can be sent to the American Red Cross through its International Response Fund, mailing donations earmarked for Haiti to: P.O. Box 37243, Washington, D.C. 20013. Donations for Haiti can also be sent to the Watauga County Chapter of the American Red Cross: 331 Queen Street, Suite B, Boone, N.C. 28607.
A $10-donation to the Red Cross can be made by texting “Haiti” to 90999.
For more information, click to www.wataugaredcross.com or www.american.redcross.org.
M-Prints Sells ‘Hope for Haiti’ T-shirts
T-shirts to benefit the American Red Cross Haitian Disaster Relief Fund are available at Footsloggers, Mast General Store, M-Prints, Cheap Joe’s Art Stuff, Stick Boy Bread Company, Watauga High School, Parkway Elementary School, Mountain Lumber and at the original and annex locations of the Mast General Store in Valle Crucis.
Shirts at all locations are $10 each, with $7.50 of each sale going directly to the Watauga County Chapter of the Red Cross.
“As of right now, we’ve printed 100 dozen,” said Stuart Mangum, owner of M-Prints, adding that he is about to print more.
The t-shirt sales have raised almost $7,000 for American Red Cross Haitian Disaster Relief Fund, and Mangum expects the total to reach $10,000 within the next couple weeks, he said.
For more information, call M-Prints at 828-265-4929.
Black Bear Books Haitian Painting Raffle
In March, Black Bear Books will raffle a Haitian painting donated by local collector John Schoo and Cynthia Gandee. Raffle tickets will be available through the Watauga County Chapter of the American Red Cross for $10. Donations will also be accepted. All proceeds will support Haitian Relief through the International Red Cross.
Raffle tickets go on sale this Thursday, February 4, and those interested can view the painting, which is hanging in the Black Bear Books café, said Erin Thompson, manager of Black Bear Books.
The original painting by Cap-Haitian artist Eem Valcin is 40 inches by 30 inches, Thompson said.
“This is a really great way to make a tangible difference,” Thompson said of purchasing the raffle tickets.
The drawing will take place on March 1, in conjunction with a 7:00 to 9:00 p.m. lecture on Haitian art and culture, she said.
To purchase raffle tickets, visit Black Bear Books, located at 2146 Blowing Rock Road in Boone, or click to www.wataugaredcross.com.
Tom Prevost and Sunshine Covington share a waltz at High Country Cotillion's January Club Cotillion. The High Country Cotillion will host a dance this Saturday, February 6, to raise funds to support the Red Cross Haitian Relief Fund. Photo submitted
Club Cotillion Haitian Relief Fundraiser Saturday
All current and former High Country Cotillion students are invited to attend a special HCC Kids4Kids Fundraiser benefiting Haitian relief efforts this Saturday, February 6, at the Broyhill Inn in Boone from 8:00 to 10:00 p.m.
DJs will lead students and their guests in nonstop dancing and activities including the Cha-Cha Slide and the Electric Slide, contemporary dances, contests, lady's choice waltzes, gentleman's choice waltzes and the Virginia Reel.
For guests, there will be opportunities to learn dances from Cotillion (the waltz, the Cha-Cha and the contra waltz).
Admission is $12 for Cotillion students and $20 for a Cotillion student plus a non-Cotillion guest. Light refreshments will be served. A portion of the admission fees and all of the proceeds from the sale of t-shirts will be donated to the Red Cross Haitian Relief Fund.
For more information or to RSVP, call 828-773-1981 or email sacarlton@skybest.com.
Community Interest
News & Notes
Events
Arts & Entertainment
