Community Almanac

Sarge’s dedicates memorial plaque

Sarge’s Animal Rescue Foundation dedicated a memorial plaque to honor Gary Smith Dec. 17, at Sarge’s Adoption Center.

The plaque, initiated by Sarge’s board, is in the new permanent covered area in Sarge’s outdoor dog yard.

Smith, who passed away Aug. 25 in Waynesville, served on Sarge’s board for six years, with two terms as president and as Sarge’s treasurer. He and his wife, Sarah Jane League, produced Sarge’s Furry Friends Benefit Bash for seven years and fostered many dogs for Sarge’s at their home.

During the plaque dedication, remembrances were shared with League, an ardent Sarge’s supporter in her own right. Smith’s significant contributions to Sarge’s as an organization were recognized by staff and board members.

“Gary Smith was a kind and generous man — he gave so freely with his time and knowledge,” said Jed Lambert, Sarge’s board president. “He was a tremendous supporter of Sarge’s and was instrumental in the achievements of our organization. He will be missed, but because of all he gave to us and our community, he will never be forgotten.”

Sarge’s Animal Rescue Foundation is at 256 Industrial Park Dr., in Waynesville. For information, visit: www.sarges.org.

Sarge’s staff and board members met Dec. 17 to dedicate a memorial plaque to long-time Sarge’s supporter, Gary Smith. Pictured, from left, are Jed Lambert, Sarge’s board president; Sarah Jane

League, Smith’s wife; and Steve Hewitt, Sarge’s treasurer. Carol Viau photo

Hope for Horses fundraiser

Local animal welfare group Hope for Horses recently celebrated the opening of its new Waynesville executive office, and now they’re gearing up for a “mini-fundraiser” to help care for almost two dozen horses on three farms. Since 1999, the Buncombe County-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit has worked to find quality homes for abused, neglected and unwanted horses while also providing sanctuary for equines that cannot be adopted due to health, behavioral or other issues. Hope for Horses is also committed to helping responsible horse owners keep and care for their horses. The mini-fundraiser offers for purchase tee shirts, masks and tote bags, through Feb. 11. For more information on Hope for Horses, visit www.hopeforhorses.org or call 828-683-0160. To participate in the mini-fundraiser, visit www.bonfire.com/store/hope-for-horses.

Pathways Empty Bowls Dinner

Haywood Pathways Center’s third annual Empty Bowls dinner will look a little different this year thanks to COVID-19, but it’ll still feature the same great local soups and handmade bowls with all proceeds benefitting the same great cause. On Thursday, Feb. 25, Grace Church in the Mountains will host the drive-by affair from 4:30 to 7:30 p.m., and local band Arnold Hill will livestream a performance from 6 to 8 p.m., for guests to enjoy at home with their soup. VIP tickets are $40, general admission $25, and $15 for soup flight only. Tickets may be purchased online at www.haywoodpathwayscenter.org or by calling the HPC office at 828.246.0332, or in person at the HPC office located at 179 Hemlock Street, in Waynesville. Raffle tickets are $5 each, or five for $20. Local businesses and individuals are welcome to donate an item or service to be raffled at the event. Contact david@haywoodpathways.org to learn more about sponsorship opportunities.

Pancake Day in a pandemic

The Pancake Day Team and staff at First United Methodist Church of Waynesville have wondered how to hold its beloved annual fundraiser during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The decision was made to continue the tradition of serving pancakes to the community — just in a different way. Every year, for 64 years, hundreds of volunteers from FUMC-Waynesville cook and serve thousands of pancakes to thousands of people from the community on the last Tuesday in February.

This year, volunteers will be handing out Stay Home-Flip Safe Pancake Day Kits through a drivethrough in the church parking lot. Each packet will contain enough pancake mix to serve a family of four. Also included will be a bottle of syrup and a spatula for flipping the pancakes.

Requests for packets or for more information, visit fumcpancakeday.com. Volunteers will be handing out Pancake Day packets in the church parking lot (Tate Street entrance) from 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 21; noon to 6 p.m. Monday, Feb. 22; and 3 to 6 p.m. Tuesday, Feb. 23, at 566 South Haywood St., Waynesville.

For more information, call 828.456.9475.

Make Valentine’s Dinner plans

Elevated Mountain Distilling Company in Maggie Valley will host a special Valentine’s Day dinner event at 6 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 14. Fresh as Can Bee Catering will provide a four-course meal for $75 per couple. Bohemian Jean will entertain guests during the dinner with live music. The price also includes a special cocktail. Reservation must be made by Feb. 7. Call 828.545.0969 to make a reservation.

SECU foundation gives $3 million

The board of directors of the North Carolina Community Foundation recently announced a gift of $3 million from the State Employees’ Credit Union Foundation for the North Carolina Healing Communities Fund, NCCF’s fund to benefit COVID19 pandemic response across the state.

The $3 million grant is comprised of two pieces — a $2 million general purpose grant which will help NCCF provide assistance to community nonprofits through its North Carolina Healing Communities Fund and a $1 million challenge grant which will help NCCF raise the additional capital needed to meet the goals of the NC Healing Communities Fund.

The gift will support the Fund providing critical resources for nonprofit organizations in North Carolina that have been impacted severely by COVID-19 through revenue loss and increased demand. The Fund’s focus will be to support nonprofits in marginalized communities that have been disproportionately affected by the virus and its economic impacts and have been underserved by other sources of financial assistance, specifically communities of lower wealth, communities of color, mostly rural communities and where English may not be the primary language.

Arc recognizes board members

As of the end of 2020, three long-standing Arc of Haywood board members stepped down after many years of service.

Gary Caldwell, Mayor of Waynesville, had been part of the board for over 30 years. He created and organized the Smoky Mountain 9-Ball Shootout, which will celebrate its 31st year in 2021. With his efforts over $300,000 was raised to support The Arc.

Rita Phillips has also been a major force of The Arc along with her husband Ron, who passed away a few years ago. She has also served on the board, many committees and any other ways she could help over the years. She has more than 30 years working with The Arc.

The third member to step down is Jeff Schandevel, who became part of The Arc HC 18 years ago when he met and married another longterm board members, Rhonda, and became stepfather to her son who is part of the Arc community.

New to the Arc board of directors are Daniel Blagg, Haywood County Sherriff deputy, Realtor Mark Zaffrann, Lisa Cook, Haywood County Schools Exceptional Children’s Teacher Lisa Cook and Audrey Best, teacher at Clyde First Baptist Preschool.

Nonprofits encouraged to apply

The Fund for Haywood County, an affiliate of The Community Foundation of Western North Carolina (CFWNC), is accepting applications for its spring grant cycle from nonprofits serving Haywood County.

Grants up to $3,500 will be awarded for projects that exhibit the greatest community benefit. The deadline to apply is Feb. 5. The online application is available at cfwnc.org/Grantseekers/GrantDirectory.

The 2021 cycle of the Mib and Phil Medford Endowment Fund is also open for applications. Medford Fund grants are for beautification, streetscape improvements and other public amenities within the city limits of the Town of Waynesville. To apply, contact Senior Program Officer Tara Scholtz at scholtz@cfwnc.org or 828.367.9913 to discuss your proposal.

Learn more at www.cfwnc.org.