Community Almanac

Dog beds needed

The Cashiers-Highlands Humane Society is in urgent need of new Kuranda beds in the CHHS Canine Adoption Center.

Kuranda beds are the No. 1 dog bed preferred by shelters nationwide. The shelter’s dogs use the 35x23 size ($94) as well as the 40x25 size ($99), both in Royal Blue. Please consider giving the gift of comfort and donate a Kuranda bed for the CHHS shelter dogs by visiting https://tinyurl.com/d25wk3cy.

SEASCAT fundraiser in Sylva

A fundraising event for SEASCAT.org will be held at 9 a.m. Saturday, Aug. 7, at Lifeway Church on Allen Street in Sylva.

SEASCAT is a local organization dedicated to helping survivors of child abuse by providing education to communities in Western North Carolina on the issues and struggles of survivors.

Most often, children raised in dysfunctional families leave home without any of the skills needed to find/keep a job, housing or relationships. SEASCAT is also an organizational member of the National Coalition for the Homeless, which includes trauma-informed care for those who need it in order to keep housing once it is found.

The fundraiser will include selling off things leftover from the last thrift store. Donations will be appreciated and will allow the organization to continue its work to help survivors become productive members of their communities.

Masks are encouraged and will be provided.

Harrah’s donates to Folds of Honor

Harrah’s Cherokee Casinos announced the company will donate $70,000 to support Folds of Honor, a nonprofit organization that assists military families by providing educational scholarships to spouses and children of America’s fallen and disabled service members.

The donation comes from a two-month long fundraising event organized by Harrah’s Cherokee Valley River Food & Beverage Manager, Alan Seay. During the promotional period, for each 16 oz. Bud Light and Redneck Riviera cocktail purchased at Harrah’s Cherokee Casinos, $1 was donated to Folds of Honor.

This is the fifth consecutive year that Seay, also an Air Force Veteran, has organized this event. With this year’s donation doubling the funds raised in previous years, Seay says he is thrilled for the success of the event.

Folds of Honor’s educational scholarships support private education tuition and tutoring for children in grade K-12, in addition to higher education tuition assistance for spouses and dependents. For more information, visit www.foldsofhonor.org.

Haywood Healthcare Foundation grants

The Haywood Healthcare Foundation Board of Trustees recently awarded $281,431 in grants to 14 agencies for healthcare needs in Haywood County.

The following agencies were awarded funds: n The EACH Initiative, Inc. to provide mental health counseling to adults and children in the EACH Program (Ending Area Child Homelessness) n Haywood County Health and Human Services Agency to provide “Pack-n-Plays” for the Safe Sleep Initiative; to provide critical dental care to indigent patients; nicotine patches and gum to adult patients in the public health clinic n Haywood’s Historic Farmers Market to compensate farmers for their donation of unsold produce or other foods to Haywood Gleaners n Haywood Pathways Center to provide two fulltime peer support specialist and one full-time family case manager n Haywood Regional Medical Center Cancer Service to provide nutrition services to patients, with all types of cancer, that don’t have insurance coverage for nutrition while undergoing chemotherapy and radiation n Haywood Regional Medical Center Cancer Navigator to provide gas cards to assist cancer patients which will enable them to get to their numerous cancer care appointments n Helping Hands of Haywood to initiate the newly expanded Life Management Initiative n KARE, Inc. (Kids Advocacy Resource Effort) to address mental health, child maltreatment through prevention, investigation, examinations n Meridian Behavioral Health Services to provide Naloxone Kits (Narcan) n REACH of Haywood County to provide healthy snacks to seventh and eighth graders who are taught the “Safe Dates” Program n Real World Transitional LLC to provide assistance with accessing safe housing in early recovery while seeking employment n Southwestern Child Development Nurse Family Partnership serves lower income first time mothers regardless of age — provides books for the client to read to their children, toys to help the mother work with the child to promote developmental skills, purchase car seats, diapers and wipes

Visit www.haywoodhealthcarefoundation.org or call 828.452.8343 for more information.

Housing Foundation awards $13,500

Through the work of Canopy Housing Foundation, Haywood County area Realtors are dedicated to grassroots support of area nonprofit organizations addressing housing and educational needs and awarded four area nonprofits with Community and Habitat for Humanity Grants totaling $13,500.

The EACH Initiative, Inc. (Ending Area Child Homelessness) received $3,000 to help provide subsidies for living expenses to families who were previously homeless and are now moving to a position of self-sustainability.

Haywood Pathways Center received $3,000 to provide one month’s rental relief for six families at an average cost of $500 per family, a continuation of their collaboration with the Haywood County Health and Human Services Agency. Mountain Projects received $3,000 to be used to purchase a locking cargo travel trailer to safeguard tools for the development of affordable housing.

The Foundation’s Habitat Support Program awarded the Haywood County Habitat for Humanity $3,000 to purchase materials to frame a new home build on Sylvan Street in Waynesville. In keeping with the educational partnership that area, Realtors have forged with Haywood County Schools Foundation two educational scholarships in the amount of $750 each were bestowed upon Tuscola High School graduate Lillian Howell and Pisgah High School graduate Andjelka Francis.

For more information about Canopy Housing Foundation, visit www.carolinahome.com.

Attend community health forum

the Village Green Commons in Cashiers.

The forum will feature representatives of Blue Ridge Health, Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation, Highlands Cashiers Hospital and MAHEC (Mountain Area Health Education Center).

Learn about the Plateau’s new primary care facility, hospital services, community health initiatives and doctor recruitment. Meet Dr. Ann Davis of Blue Ridge Health — Highlands Cashiers, conveniently located on the hospital campus on US 64 West. Hosted by the Cashiers Area Chamber of Commerce as part of its continuing commitment to serve as an information source for the community.

Limited seating. Please RSVP to office@cashiersareachamber.com.

Harrah’s hosts small business fair

Mountain-West Small Business Resource Fair will be held from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. Sept. 22 at Harrah’s Cherokee Casino Resort, 777 Casino Drive, Cherokee.

This is a free event to learn about resources in the region for recruiting, training and retaining employees. This is also your chance to voice labor concerns that will shape how the workforce agencies adapt their strategies to better help businesses in the area.

Connect with regional and statewide support agencies from 10 to 11 a.m. Learn about the CREATE BRIDGES Tourism, Retail, Entertainment and Accommodations Industry Research study from 11 a.m. to noon. Lunch and networking will be held from noon to 1 p.m. and from 1 to 3 p.m. participate in the CREATE ACADEMY to drive strategic planning for business and workforce development.

To register, visit go.ncsu.edu/mwbizfair. For more information, email canestore@ncsu.edu.

HIGHTS receives United Way grant

HIGHTS (Helping Inspire Gifts of Hope, Trust, and Service) works with the community’s most vulnerable youth to provide essential clinical mental health services, workforce development, skill building programs, meaningful service opportunities, outdoor adventure activities, and mentoring.

This continuum of care covers the seven western counties of the state. HIGHTS’ goal is to help clients develop valuable skills, connect to a community who cares, and discover a sense of purpose, building blocks for a healthy and thriving life.

HIGHTS received an award from the United Way to provide community crisis respite services for youth in Haywood County. The pandemic exacerbated challenges youth face in accessing services and increased barriers to well-being. This grant gives HIGHTS the opportunity to address their critical needs.

To learn more about HIGHTS, visit hights.org. If you are interested in partnering with HIGHTS or would like to learn more about the programs, contact Paul Heckert at paul@hights.org.