High Country United Way

"Jimmy," a redheaded twelve-year-old with limitless energy, runs through the parking lot and bounds into the gym shouting "Angie, I'm here! Have you missed me? You haven't seen me in two days!" With a smile that no one could resist he goes about the activities of the day-playing basketball and talking a big game, doing homework, and participating in an art activity. "Jimmy" loves to tell tall tales and often lives in a fantasy world because his reality is too painful. Although he struggles both academically and socially in school and feels like an outcast at home, when he is at WYN, he's happy. He's somebody. He belongs. When he recently walked out onto the court during a WYN-sponsored half-time free throw contest at Appalachian State University men's basketball game, he beamed nervously as he made two shots. He was proud because he knew WYN was proud.

On most days, neighborhood youngsters, "Susie" (9) and "Dave" (7) can be found leaving their house to visit WYN. With skateboard and doll in hand, and dog in tow, they make their rounds. Their family struggles to make ends meet. They are thankful to WYN for collecting "day-old" produce from the grocery stores in order to offer it to their family and others in the community. But, when "Susie" and "Dave" are in the parking lot playing, the sounds of laughter and shouts can be heard. They know, as do many Junaluska community members, that WYN is a safe haven for them.

Life hasn't been easy for "Scott" and his mom. Just recently, the small apartment they shared with other family members burned to the ground. They had nothing left but the clothes on their back. While "Scott" and his mom felt that they had hit rock bottom, their WYN family sprung into action. When news of their travesty spread, staff members aligned forces with other community agencies to donate household goods, clothing, toys, and other necessities for "Scott" and his family. WYN sent the message that the family was never alone; that as long as WYN is in operation, families know they have a place to turn to for help. Whether they're looking for resources on parenting skills or a major collaborative effort like this one, WYN is a consistent and reliable commodity.

The High Country United Way Supports Volunteer Avery County

It was January 20, 2005, 26 degrees outside and I received a call from one of the caseworkers in Adult Services at the Avery County Dept. of Social Services. One of their clients was completely out of firewood and food and had no means to get any. We have someone that we regularly purchase firewood from and he took the client a load of wood within an hour or so. At Volunteer Avery County we keep a small pantry for emergency food needs and the caseworker took enough food for the client to last several days. This client lives alone and has no family support. United Way Funds were used to help this client.

Hunger Coalition - More Than Food

The holidays can be a difficult time for many families in the High Country. When times get tough, folks can turn to the Hunger Coalition for assistance. This past December, we assisted over 1000 people with food boxes. It is incredible that in such a small community so much need exists.

Thinking back over the holidays, one particular family stands out in my mind. On a cold afternoon in late December, a mother with two young children came in to the office. The woman came in, unbundled her two small children, and encouraged them to warm up for a few minutes. As they were getting settled, we began to talk about what had brought her to the Hunger Coalition. They woman said they had just arrived in Boone with everything they owned packed in their car. They had no food, and at the moment, no definite place to stay. She had heard about the Hunger Coalition from an acquaintance and decided to stop in and see if we could do anything to help. As we were talking about what kinds of foods they could use in their particular situation, she mentioned that her youngest child was not yet potty trained, and that she did not have a single diaper, she guessed she would use paper towels and tape to diaper the little girl.

I was touched by the desperation and worry this young mother was feeling, and was greatly relieved she had come to the Hunger Coalition at a time when the Food Pantry shelves were stocked full from donations from the community, and when we had diapers in every size thanks also to donations from our compassionate community.

While I could not reassure the mother that everything would be alright, I was able to encourage her to help herself to the fresh produce and bread, to provide a food box filled with things for her children to eat, and to provide a pack of diapers for the little girl. The relief showed in her eyes, she knew that they would be okay for at least a few more days. I reminded the woman that she could come in every day for produce and bread, and also for prepared meals from the Food Recovery Program.

As she was packing up her things, another client came in and asked the children if they were "ready for Santa Claus". The mother quietly confessed that the children had been hearing that all day, and unfortunately, she had not been able to get anything for the children. Suddenly I remembered all the toys and stuffed animals people had donated. I suggested she come in and take a look to see if anything would be appropriate for her children. It was as if she could not believe what I was saying - food, diapers, and now toys for her children. I explained that the community had been very generous to us this year, and that without their donations, we would not be able to help. As she looked through the gifts and picked out a few small toys for her children, she simply said "thank you".

In the midst of all of her bad luck and adverse circumstances, this young family was fortunate in one way. The place they had arrived was a community that cares about helping people, and she felt the impact of this care directly. The Hunger Coalition is honored to be able to provide assistance to people in need. We are so grateful to our neighbors and community for allowing us to help in a variety ways. Contributions from individuals and from our local United Way make it possible for help to reach the people that need it most.

The Hunger Coalition was established 1982, and had been actively serving the community for 23 years. Currently the Food Pantry, Free Pharmacy, and Food Recovery Programs offer services to residents of Watauga, Ashe and Avery counties. The Hunger Coalition is a proud member of the High Country United Way .

A True Oasis

OASIS, (Opposing Abuse with Service, Information, and Shelter), provides education to the children of our community about the importance of safe and healthy relationships. These programs include information on how to get help and how to be a supportive friend. One boy took information from our program and hid it in his sock drawer. He later gave the OASIS number to his mom after he heard his father abusing her. Thanks to the education he received, he knew violence was wrong so he and his mother came to OASIS for help. The funds provided to OASIS by the High County United Way , makes our educational programs possible.

A portion of High County United Way funds allocated to OASIS support our confidential emergency shelter. For $19 per day, OASIS can provide shelter, support, and services to survivors of abuse. The support received at the beginning of the process is most important in determining the success of a family living free of abuse and violence. Many times, survivors worry about the safety and well being of their children outside their home. Our shelter is child friendly with each family having time to meet with a staff person to discuss fears and concerns and create a plan for their future. Our shelter is staffed 24 hours per day to ensure the safety of clients. Recently, a woman and her two children stayed at our shelter for one month then moved into our transitional apartment where she received intensive case management and referrals to community resources. She had never worked outside the home and was nervous about the prospect of looking for a job and still maintaining her home. Thanks to the skills she learned from the OASIS staff, she found a job that fits her schedule and can shop on a budget while providing her family with a nutritious meal. In addition to staying safe in our shelter, she was able to gain important skills to regain her self-confidence.

Blazing Saddles

"Exposure to horses is something I had wanted for both my son and myself for a good while. I began to volunteeer with Blazing Saddles to satisfy my personal desire to be around horses and saw, too, how it could be an opportunity for my ADD son. The two characteristics most notable in my son and many ADD and ADHD children are the lack of impulse control and lack of focus. Not only is being on the back of an animal that is ten times your size an opportunity for considerable focus and impulse control, the rider can immediately experience the rewards of staying focused or the consequences of being impulsive. Researchers are beginning to document the positive affects [sic] of ADHD children spending more time outdoors, that it actually reduces symptoms. While you may not be able to pick out an ADD or ADHD kid out of the crowd, these kids don't often see as many successes in their life as other kids. My son's first riding lesson was followed by his regular tennis lesson. His coach commented on how confident he seemed that day. I think that has to be, for us, its greatest gift: increased confidence from successfully achieving something as challenging as having a cooperative exchange with an animal as big and powerful as a horse. ADD and ADHD kids, while often very brght, struggle to succeed in a classroom setting. Blazing Saddles sets these kids up to confront a challenging task and master it. That, for any of us, is a formula for success and a giant step toward greater self confidence."