Community Profile

Home Page Photo: Banner Elk Fire Dept. Above: Linville Central Rescue, Crossnore Communities for Children

The Good Works Guide

Making Our Mountain Communities Better for One and All

By CML Staff

Our High Country region depends on a variety of non-profit organizations to serve and support the people, places, animals and environments that are most in need. We have an abundance of effective organizations that rely on support from neighbors and businesses to realize their missions. Our Good Works Guide includes just some of these noteworthy organizations—and the list keeps growing!

This season, consider learning more about the groups that inspire you and see how you can contribute to their “Good Work.”

American Red Cross (Blue Ridge Chapter) in Boone is a humanitarian organization that provides emergency assistance, disaster relief, and disaster preparedness education in our area and beyond. 828-264-8226, redcross.org

AMOREM is a hospice and palliative care provider in Ashe, Burke, Caldwell, and Watauga counties, specializing in palliative medicine, hospice care, advanced cardiac care and grief support. 828-754-0101, amoremsupport.org

AMY Wellness Foundation, based in Spruce Pine, works collaboratively to find preventative, up-stream, and innovative solutions to alleviate health disparities to transform lives in Avery, Mitchell, and Yancey counties (AMY). 828-592-4082, amywellnessfoundation.org

Anne Ministries offers free and confidential pregnancy support services and recovery support services for those suffering from a past abortion, miscarriage, stillbirth, or infant loss in a Christ-centered environment. 828-742-1973, anneministries.com

Anne’s Kids give all children the security and excitement of going to school fully prepared with all that they need, regardless of their circumstances. Working hand in hand with local schools, they seek to bridge the gap for students with economic needs. anneskids.com

Appalachian Theatre of the High Country is a historic 629-seat, 1938 Art Deco theatre for live entertainment and film located in the heart of the Blue Ridge Mountains. 828-865-3000, apptheatre.org

Appalachian Voices is a leading force in Appalachia’s shift from fossil fuels to clean energy, healthy communities and 21st-century local economies. 828-262-1500, appvoices.org

Ashe County Arts Council is committed to promoting the arts as a hallmark of an active, engaged community. 336-846-2787, ashecountyarts.org

Ashe Food Pantry leads the fight to end hunger in the surrounding community by acquiring and distributing food to those who seek aid. Their vision is “No one should go hungry.” 336-846-7019, AsheFoodPantry.org

Ashe Really Cares has been providing food, clothing, and essentials for low-income residents in Ashe County for 25 years. 336-846-5234, ashereallycares.com

A Simple Gesture provides a simple, convenient way to help end hunger in the High Country. Supporters get a bag and fill up that bag every two months with non-perishable items; on a designated day their team picks up the bags. 828-262-1628, hungerandhealthcoalition.org/a-simple-gesture-1

Avery Association for Exceptional Citizens (Yellow Mountain) serves adults with intellectual or developmental disabilities living in Avery County. Yellow Mountain Enterprises is an adult day vocational program that operates under the umbrella of Avery Association for Exceptional Citizens and provides jobs that can be scaled to the unique abilities of their workers. 828-733-2944, yellowmountainenterprises.org

Avery Connect, an initiative of Elk Park United Methodist Church, empowers high school students of Avery County to thrive as community members by building relationships to support vocation exploration through tools, connections, and mentors. Averyconnect.org

Avery Community Foundation, the local affiliate of North Carolina Community Foundation, brings together generous people and connects them to causes and organizations they care about, with a focus on inspiring lasting and meaningful philanthropy in the state’s rural communities. nccommunityfoundation.org/affiliate/avery-community-foundation

Banner Elk Book Exchange offers opportunities to bring books and exchange them for the same number of different books. In lieu of a book to exchange, patrons can make a small donation. An academic tutoring program and other literacy programs are also offered through the Book Exchange. bannerelkbookexchange.com

Banner Elk Fire & Rescue’s volunteer firefighters protect life and property in the communities of Banner Elk, Sugar Mountain, Elk River, Diamond Creek, Eagle’s Nest, Tynecastle, The Farm, Balm, and Lees-McRae College. 828-898-4623, banner-elk-volunteer-fire-rescue.square.site/

Blair Fraley Sales Store is the largest resale shop in the High Country, operated by Crossnore Communities for Children. Generous friends donate quality new and used goods, all to benefit the children in Crossnore Communities’ care. 828-733-4228, crossnore.org/blair-fraley-sales-store/

Blowing Rock Art & History Museum (BRAHM) promotes visual arts and history and celebrates the rich heritage of the mountains. Member support and donations allow BRAHM to offer quality programming, arts education, community outreach, and first-class exhibitions. 828-295-9099, blowingrockmuseum.org

Blowing Rock Cares’ mission is to help provide basic non-perishable food to families and individuals in Watauga County and to supplement county services. 828-532-3323, blowingrockcares.com

Blue Ridge Conservancy partners with landowners and local communities to permanently protect natural resources with agricultural, cultural, recreational, ecological and scenic value—the organization has protected over 25,000 acres in Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Mitchell, Watauga, Wilkes and Yancey Counties. 828-264-2511, blueridgeconservancy.org

Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation creates a spirit of stewardship to address the challenges faced by this national treasure. With your help, the organization can ensure cultural and historical preservation, natural resource protection, and educational outreach—now and for future generations. 336-721-0260, brpfoundation.org

Blue Ridge Partnership for Children serves and supports the children, parents, and childcare providers of Avery, Mitchell and Yancey counties. 828-733-2899, blueridgechildren.org

Blue Ridge Women in Agriculture (BRWIA) helps build an equitable, sustainable High Country local food system by supporting producers and cultivating community connections that educate, inspire, and increase the demand for local food. BRWIA also operates The High Country Food Hub, a year-round online farmers’ market. 828-386-1537, brwia.org, highcountryfoodhub.org

Boone Area Lions Club, now in its 89th year of serving the community, provides vision and hearing screenings, supports those in need of eye exams and vision correction, and collects eyeglasses, hearing aids, and cell phones for distribution to those in need worldwide. e-clubhouse.org/sites/boonenc/

Casting Bread’s mission is to increase food security within the High Country. In their free client-choice Market, people choose foods they want, rather than a pre-selected box. Meals served in the Café are prepared using food from the Market and seek to model healthy eating habits. 828-783-3510, increasefoodsecurity.org

Children’s Council of Watauga County works to build a strong foundation for children’s learning and development by strengthening families, the early childhood system, and the wider community. 828-262-5424, thechildrenscouncil.org

Community Care Clinic/HHC Free Clinic is a community-supported medical clinic that provides free primary care, mental health and behavioral health services; select specialty services; and health education to low income, uninsured people. 828-265-8591, ccclinic.org

Crossnore Communities for Children creates healthy futures for children and families by providing a Christian sanctuary of hope and healing. 828-733-4305, crossnore.org

D.A.R.E. (Drug Abuse Resistance Education) is a collaborative program in which local law enforcement and local schools join to educate students about the personal and social consequences of substance abuse and violence. 828-733-6006, dare.org/north-carolina/

Elk River Helping Hands’ mission is to provide essential support to those in need due to catastrophic events within the High Country community. They believe that everyone deserves a helping hand during their toughest times, and they strive to make a positive impact in their lives. 828-898-1725, elkriverhelpinghands.org

Ensemble Stage Theatre is a professional theatre in Banner Elk dedicated to culturally enriching the lives of residents and visitors by providing a broad range of live, high quality theatrical presentations at an affordable price. 828-414-1844, ensemblestage.com

F.A.R.M. Cafe builds a healthy and inclusive community by providing high quality meals produced from local sources, served in a restaurant where everybody eats, regardless of means. 828-386-1000, farmcafe.org

Feeding Avery Families (FAF) in Avery County is dedicated to eliminating hunger by providing supplemental food assistance to those in need. Their mission is achieved through monetary and food donations, and a committed group of volunteers. 828-783-8506, feedingaveryfamilies.org

Foscoe Home Team consists of a group of passionate volunteers who are dedicated to relief, recovery, and restoration for those affected by Hurricane Helene; their storm-relief store continues to serve hundreds of people every week. foscoehometeam.org

GAPs (Giving at Potlucks) is a growing grassroots “movement” of local women in Avery and Watauga counties who gather to share a meal, build friendships, and support charitable causes that are unique to each community; they raise awareness and provide funding to select 501(c)3 organizations that serve each chapter’s county. givingatpotlucks.org

Girls On the Run after-school program for 3rd-8th grade girls is centered around self-esteem enhancing lessons and uplifting workouts, based in Watauga, Ashe, Wilkes and Avery counties. 828-262-7557, gotr.appstate.edu

Grandfather Community Foundation is a foundation organized by members of Grandfather Golf & Country Club to provide emergency funds for team members, scholarships for Avery County High School students, and grant assistance for nonprofits serving Avery County. grandfathercommunityfoundation.org

Grandfather Mountain Stewardship Foundation was established to preserve Grandfather Mountain, operate the nature park sustainably in the public interest, provide an exceptional experience for guests, and inspire them to be good stewards of the earth’s resources. 800-468-7325, grandfather.com/foundation/

Habitat for Humanity works in partnership with people in need to build and renovate decent, affordable housing in Avery County (828-733-1909, averycohfh.org), Watauga County (828-268-9545, wataugahabitat.org), and Ashe County (336-846-2525, ashehabitat.org).

Habitat for Humanity ReStores in Boone and Newland are nonprofit home improvement stores and donation centers that sell new and gently used furniture, appliances, home accessories, building materials and more to the public at a fraction of the retail price. habitat.org/restores

Hebron Colony has been helping men and women break the bondage of addiction through a Christ-centered approach to substance abuse treatment.  828-963-4842, hebroncolony.org

High Country Audubon Society encourages beginning birders and experts alike in Alleghany, Ashe, Avery, Watauga and Wilkes counties to enjoy birds and birdwatching and to engage in conservation, education, and research for the benefit of the birds of western NC. highcountryaudubon.org

High Country Breast Cancer Foundation has an all-volunteer board where 100% of the money donated or raised goes to those in need who have been impacted by breast cancer in the NC High Country. 614-928-6544, hcbcf.org

High Country Caregivers provides advocacy, support, and education for kinship caregivers and their families. 828-832-6366, highcountrycaregivers.com

High Country Charitable Foundation, Inc. has the mission of helping the Avery County, NC, community by providing for neighbors and animals in need. 828-898-3810, highcountryfoundation.org

High Country Children’s Foundation provides essential support and aid to families in the High Country through annual toy drives, hurricane relief efforts, and financial donations. Highcountrykids.org

High Country Community Health provides quality, patient-centered, culturally appropriate, affordable and compassionate dental care and medical services, with locations in Boone, Newland, Morganton, Elkin, and Valdese. Highcountrycommunityhealth.com

High Country United Way serves Avery, Watauga, and Mitchell counties with the mission of uniting people and resources to improve lives in the High Country. High Country United Way also serves as the fiscal agent for donations in Ashe and Yancey counties. 828-265-2111, highcountryunitedway.org

Holston Camp and Retreat Center in Banner Elk has hosted summer camps for kids since 1959. Now a year-round facility, today’s campers play together and explore creation, try new activities, build community, and develop physical, social, psychological, and spiritual skills. 844-465-7866, holstoncenter.org

Homestead Recovery Center is a recovery community where all people can improve their health and wellness, live a self-directed life, and strive to reach their full potential. 828-355-9943, homesteadrecoverync.org

Hospice and Home Care of the Blue Ridge in Spruce Pine provides exceptional care and services to individuals facing a life-limiting illness, giving patients and their family members the support and education needed to understand their illness. 828-765-5677, hospiceblueridge.com

Hospitality House of NW North Carolina serves seven counties and helps those in crisis, poverty and homelessness rebuild their lives using housing, prevention, nutrition and myriad supportive programs and services. 828-264-1237, hosphouse.org

Humane Societies and animal rescue organizations provide food, shelter, medical care and lots of love to homeless animals as they work to find permanent, loving homes for them. Avery Humane Society—828-733-9265, averyhumane.org; Watauga Humane Society—828-264-7865, wataugahumane.org; Ashe Humane Society —336-982-4297, ashehumanesociety.org; Mitchell County Animal Rescue—828-765-6952, mitchellcountyanimalrescue.org

Hunger and Health Coalition’s mission is to be a resource for individuals and families within our community who are struggling to provide themselves with basic needs. 828-262-1628, hungerandhealthcoalition.com

Johnson County Center for the Arts in Mountain City, TN, serves to empower the local community and brings residents and visitors together through teaching, encouraging and supporting a variety of artistic forms and experiences. 423-460-3313, jocoartcenter.org

Kiwanis Club of Banner Elk Foundation is dedicated to helping the youth in our community. Over the past 40 years, the service organization has given out over a million dollars in grants to support organizations that focus on youth. bannerelkkiwanis.org

Lees-McRae Summer Theatre provides top quality, professional theatre in the Blue Ridge Mountains, specializing in big stage musicals including Broadway classics and newer hits, plus some outstanding original works. Their season runs from late June through early August. lmc.edu/community/summer-theatre/

Linville Central Rescue Squad is an all-volunteer rescue squad serving the people of Avery County by responding to accidents; medical emergencies; wilderness, mountain and water rescues; searches for lost or missing people; and calls to assist county EMS and fire departments. 828-733-2346, linville-centralrescue.org

Linville Volunteer Fire Dept. proudly serves and protects the citizens of Avery County through fire protection and emergency services. 828-733-2188, linvillevfd@gmail.com

Long Term Recovery Groups are collaborative organizations dedicated to supporting the long-term recovery efforts post-Hurricane Helene in Watauga County (wataugaltrg.org), Avery County (averyltrg.com), Ashe County (ashecountyrecovery.com), Mitchell County (mitchellcountync.gov/helene-response-resources) and Yancey County (mymountainrecovery.org).

Mediation & Restorative Justice Center works to reduce the physical, emotional, and financial harm caused by unresolved conflict, litigation, and incarceration by providing mediation, alternative sentencing, and other restorative processes that increase the respect, peace, productivity and safety in the communities served. 828-264-3040, mrjc.us

Medi Home Hospice/Health—Hospice Care Charity, Inc., is a foundation created by Medical Services of America dedicated to improving quality of life for the terminally ill, their families, caregivers and friends. The Foundation works to raise awareness of hospice and provides funds to enrich the lives of hospice patients in need. 1-800-845-5850, msahealthcare.com/hospice-care

Mountain Alliance for Teens provides free service and adventure trips after school and on weekends for high school students. 828-263-1770, mountainalliance.org

Mountain Mermaids Collective supports the development of an inclusive, diverse, and sustainable arts community in Western North Carolina. mtnmermaids.org

Mountain True & Watauga Riverkeeper are dedicated to protecting, preserving and restoring the Watauga and Elk River watersheds “because everyone has a right to clean water.” 828-406-2429, mountaintrue.org

NAMI High Country supports those living with mental illness as well as their families and loved ones. They strive to increase public understanding of mental disorders and give hope to those experiencing them. 828-278-9293, namihighcountry.org

New River Conservancy is dedicated to protecting and preserving the New River Watershed and its inhabitants across three states. 336-846-6267, newriverconservancy.org

OASIS, Inc. (Opposing Abuse with Services, Information, and Shelter), founded in 1978, is dedicated to ending domestic violence and sexual assault in Watauga and Avery Counties. 828-264-1532, oasisinc.org, https://www.facebook.com/OASISHighCountry/

Parent to Parent Family Support Network provides free support, caring connections, information and hope to families who have a premature baby, a child with a disability, an emotional or behavioral challenge, a mental illness, or a chronic health condition, or to families who are grieving the death of a child. 828-262-6089, parent2parent.appstate.edu

Pisgah Legal Services pursues justice by providing legal assistance and advocacy to help low-income people in Western NC meet their basic needs and improve their lives. 800-489-6144, pisgahlegal.org

Proud Spirit Horse Sanctuary is one of the most successful, longest existing facilities for horses in the U.S. which seeks to provide as natural an environment for the horses as possible. 336-984-4252, horsesofproudspirit.org

Quiet Givers Inc. serves the people of Watauga, Ashe, and Avery counties in the NC High Country; the organization is a source for people to find out about specific needs in the community and help meet needs through creative ways to change the reality of local people who are genuinely struggling. quietgivers.org

Reaching Avery Ministry (RAM) has served Avery County for over 30 years through their Ram’s Rack Thrift Store and Emergency Food Pantry in Newland. 828-733-5095, facebook.com/RAMsRackofNewland/

Resort Area Ministries is an ecumenical organization providing ministries/services to the residents of, and tourists to, the High Country. RAM’s Rack Thrift Shop in Boone provides financial support for RAM and also provides clothing at no charge to those in need working with other nonprofits. 828-264-6605, facebook.com/resortareaministryRAM/

Samaritan’s Purse stands ready to respond at a moment’s notice whenever and wherever disaster strikes. They specialize in international disaster relief, meeting critical needs for victims of conflict, disaster, famine, and epidemics throughout the world. 828-262-1980, samaritanspurse.org

Scooter’s Underdogs is a nonprofit animal rescue based in Elk Park, North Carolina, dedicated to filling the gap in Avery County. Since 2021, the organization has rescued over 700 displaced cats and dogs, providing them with life-saving care. Scooter’s also supports the community through a free pet tag program, a free doghouse initiative, a low-cost spay/neuter program, and a free pet food pantry. Scootersunderdogs.org, facebook.com/ScootersUnderdogs/

Southern Sun Farm Sanctuary is a horse rescue located in the Blue Ridge Mountains of NC, with the mission of providing a safe, secure place for abandoned, abused, neglected or unwanted equines; they also work to find them loving forever homes. 336-977-8966, southernsunfarm.com

Spirit Ride Therapeutic Riding Center is committed to helping children with disabilities and other health concerns achieve their full potential through equine related therapeutic and educational activities. 828-278-7464, spiritridenc.org

The Children’s Playhouse in Boone engages children from birth to age eight through enriching educational play while at the same time supporting their parents and caregivers in the important job of raising children. 828-263-0011, goplayhouse.org

The Jason Project/ “The Grandfather Project” is a program for at-risk kids suffering from mental problems and/or drug addictions. The program also seeks to assist any special kids who are struggling with adversities, including family, school, or other personal problems or challenges. 828-765-6561

THRIVE Appalachia provides teens opportunities, connections, and hands-on learning experiences; they help youth explore their gifts and talents, cultivate new skills, and connect with exciting opportunities in high-quality classes with professionals in their field. thriveappalachia.org

Volunteer Avery County finds resources to aid families and individuals who do not qualify for public assistance. VAC also matches volunteers with opportunities to help within the community. 828-737-0718, volunteeravery@gmail.com, averycountync.gov/departments/volunteer_avery_county.php

WAMY Community Action’s mission is to partner with communities and families to provide the disadvantaged with support and the tools they need to become self-sufficient. 828-264-2421, wamycommunityaction.org

Watauga Arts Council fosters a thriving, diverse, and vibrant creative community through arts advocacy, education, support, and inspiration. 828-264-1789, watauga-arts.org

Western Youth Network (WYN) is a relationship-focused resource for at-risk youth in the High Country. Through prevention and intervention programs, WYN specializes in providing youth with the tools they need to reach their potential and discover their place in our world. 828-264-5174, westernyouthnetwork.org

Williams YMCA of Avery County and the new A.M.Y. Wellness Foundation YMCA of Mitchell County serve the community in the areas of Youth Development, Healthy Living and Social Responsibility. The “Y” strives to help create a community where people can live healthy; all youth can be safe and reach their potential; and the elderly have support to live quality, independent lives. 828-737-5500, ymcaavery.com and 828-520-9101 (Mitchell County)

Wine to Water is an international nonprofit organization committed to building a holistic, community-based model by supporting the life and dignity of all through the power of clean water. 828-355-9655, wtw.org

Women’s Fund of the Blue Ridge is a collective giving organization formed to make a positive impact on the lives of women and girls in the High Country through grant making, advocacy, and community building. 828-264-4002, womensfundoftheblueridge.org

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If you know of a local nonprofit that serves our region and should be included in our annual guide, please email CML’s Managing Editor at tamara@seymourcc.net.

The not-for-profit Chambers of Commerce, Tourism Development Associations, and Visitors’ Centers in our region provide excellent information and support to visitors, residents and businesses in our communities.

Abingdon Visitors Center: visitabingdonvirginia.com

Ashe County Chamber of Commerce: ashechamber.com

Avery Chamber of Commerce: averycounty.com

Banner Elk Chamber of Commerce: bannerelk.org

Banner Elk TDA: bannerelk.com

Beech Mountain TDA: beechmtn.com

Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce: blowingrockncchamber.com

Boone Chamber of Commerce: boonechamber.com

Boone TDA: exploreboone.com

Burnsville-Yancey Chamber of Commerce: yanceychamber.com

Elkin TDA: exploreelkin.com

Caldwell County Chamber of Commerce: caldwellchambernc.com