Year to Date Summary

Generosity is a gift, not wrapped in fancy paper with a ribbon, but wrapped in heartstrings.  The residents of Lake Toxaway Estates have gifted cash donations totaling $1,187,000 through July 2020 to help their neighbors in need in Transylvania County.  This is a substantial increase over the previous record in 2019 of $1,007,000.    Fifty-one non-profits have received grants totaling $742,000 since April of this year.  

“Responding specifically to COVID-19 relief emergency appeals, our organization has raised $174,000 to date from our incredibly generous residents,” said Chip Brown, co-chair of Lake Toxaway Charities.  “We are humbled by this support which continues to exceed our hopes.  As a result, Lake Toxaway Charities (LTC) has been able to respond quickly to the ever-increasing needs of local non-profits such as area food banks, shelters, family services, medical providers and others which are responding to this devastating pandemic.”

At the same time, LTC continues to fund grants to our County’s non-profit agencies.  In June the Charities awarded a record $742,000 to these essential organizations which serve Transylvania residents year-round.  “These are our neighbors,” responded Carroll Summerour, chair of the LTC Grants Committee.  “In these difficult times, Lake Toxaway Estates residents answer the call to support others who need assistance.”

Since its inception in 1975, Lake Toxaway Charities has offered grants to Transylvania County non-profit organizations.  In 2020 it added 7 more agencies to meet the growing needs of our County’s residents, and it serves 51 non-profits.  Now restaurants have closed, jobs are lost, education is struggling, tourism has decreased, and our neighbors require more assistance in basic living needs as our County reels like so many others in this country and across the world due to the COVID-19 virus.  

“Lake Toxaway Charities is gratified by the continued outpouring of financial support from our homeowners,” echoes Diane Roberts, co-chair and treasurer of the Charities, “Our residents recognize and respond to the accelerated needs of our neighbors and the agencies that serve them, and when opportunities are available again, many of our residents will also resume volunteering in area schools and at non-profits.”

“Giving is about making a difference in the lives of others.  We live in a beautiful area, and while there may be pockets of despair for now, there is not indifference,” declares Jenny Renfroe, co-chair of LTC, “LTC is blessed with donors who continue to respond so generously.  As Anne Frank wrote: “No one has ever become poor by giving.”