Helping Those In Need

Highlands Emergency Council will stage its annual fundraiser on August 19 at the Highlands Community Building on Poplar Street. Attendees will be treated to beer, wine, and hors d’oeuvres. There’ll also be live music provided by local favorite Zorki and a silent auction. Revelers can check out an array of raffle items and, for the first time at an HEC fundraiser, tour the adjoining HEC facility.

It’s all for the purpose of raising funds to assist at-risk individuals and families securing basic needs.

Native Highlander Mary Anne Creswell has managed grants and projects for Highlands Emergency Council, and she explained that what started as a group of local people gathering for community fellowship, primarily with the purpose harvesting apples and produce to preserve, evolved into an organization meeting needs.

“If there was a death or if a fire destroyed a person’s home, for example, this group would give preserved foods but then also would dispense donated furnishings and household items,” said Creswell, whose family has lived in Highlands for many generations. “Now we have a building on Poplar Street with a warehouse for furnishings, household items, clothing, and food.

Manna officially helped Highlands Emergency Council establish a food bank, and then an individual’s need for fuel led to the development of a fuel assistance program.

“As we are able to, we fill up tanks for the winter,” she said, adding that the organization’s motto is: “No one should go to bed hungry or cold in the Highlands area.

Those wishing to use the resources of the Highlands Emergency Council site must fill out an application and show proof of income because, Creswell noted, “Unfortunately, there are people who will take advantage of what we offer, and we need to have food and items available for people who are truly in need.”

Anyone interested in volunteering and/or donating can visit Highlands Emergency Council at 71 Poplar Street.

by Luke Osteen