The Lake Toxaway Charities Grant Assessment Committee works diligently to ensure your donations are appreciated, and used wisely. Supported agencies are non-profits, and are visited periodically to review their mission, management, financial requirements, and non-profit status. Visit our “Grant Assessments” page for more detailed information on this process, including how you can get involved by helping with this process.
Please scroll below for detailed information and links to our charitable agencies websites:
SERVING THE ABUSED, DISABLED, AND INDIGENT:
Bread of Life
“At Bread of Life, the simple fare is as plain as our purpose: to share our food with those who have none. We are here to serve everyone – the unemployed and underemployed, single parent families, the elderly and neighbors with physical or emotional disabilities. We serve a hot meal six days a week and feed anywhere from 150-200 of our neighbors each day. Since 2005, Lake Toxaway Charities has been partnering with us at Bread of Life, providing funding for food and capital needs so that we can continue to share meals and love with our neighbors in Transylvania County.” http://breadoflifetc.org/home0.aspx
The Children’s Center of Transylvania County
“The Children’s Center is an agency working to stabilize, support and improve the lives of children and families in Transylvania County. We provide space for supervised visitation for families when children are in DSS custody, one-on-one mentoring programs for improving parenting skills, emergency assistance and many school programs. We strive to stop the cycle of child abuse and neglect in our community. We are able to provide many of these services at no cost to our families thanks to the generosity of Lake Toxaway Charities.” https://www.thechildrenscenteroftc.com/
The Family Place
“The Family Place strengthens families through support, education and community building. Our programs include various parent/caregiver support groups using the Circle of Parents model and two series of “The Incredible Years” positive parenting classes. Lake Toxaway Charities partially funds our playgroups and “Stay & Play” programs for early learning and development to prepare children for future academic and social success. Its donations also fully fund our “Learning Together” kits, which provide families with high quality, developmentally appropriate books, games, and activities supporting early literacy. By using these kits, parents and children can play, learn and grow together. In addition, we have a Family Learning Garden to bring families together by offering our clients the ability and confidence to grow their own food to nourish their families regardless of income.” https://www.thefamilyplacenc.com/
God’s Way Food Pantry
“Gods Way Food Pantry, a rural church-based food ministry, has served Balsam Grove and surrounding communities for over fifteen years. Over 250,000 lbs of food are distributed yearly, and each month approximately 500 families in Transylvania and Jackson Counties rely on us. The Food Pantry operates every other Saturday and also provides immediate assistance to families with urgent needs. No one is ever turned away. Homebound clients are served by local volunteers.
Lake Toxaway Charities grants have helped establish our kitchen and fellowship/meeting room, available for community use. It has also provided funds to build loading areas and erect roofing over the kitchen, food pantry, and pick-up areas, including one for handicap access. As we teach ways to live in our self-sustainability classes and help meet critical food needs, we are investing in the future of our communities. We are very thankful for the assistance of Lake Toxaway Charities.”
Habitat for Humanity
“Transylvania Habitat for Humanity is a Christian-based non-profit dedicated to building safe affordable housing for people in need in our community. Funding from Lake Toxaway Charities has enabled us to continue our programs for area residents.” transylvaniahabitat.org
The Haven of Transylvania County
“The mission of The Haven of Transylvania County is to help individuals and families in crisis who are experiencing homelessness by providing temporary refuge in a clean, supportive environment. We help coordinate the community’s resources for counseling/case management, medical care, mental health, education, employment assistance and access to long-term permanent housing. Funding by Lake Toxaway Charities is an important part of our much needed resources.” http://havenoftc.org/
Hunger Coalition of Transylvania County
“The Hunger Coalition of Transylvania County provides services that strengthen and enhance existing county food pantries. It empowers the recipients to be healthier and more self-reliant by distributing fresh produce and other staples to pantries in the county once a month and hosting a bi-monthly mobile market where families and individuals in need can pick out fresh produce and other staples at no cost to them. Lake Toxaway Charities through its funding to The Hunger Coalition has helped pay for nutrition education programs, the purchase of a distribution truck and fresh produce from area farmers.” www.hungerfreetc.org
The Mediation Center
“The mission of the Mediation Center is to create opportunity from conflict. We provide conflict resolution services to help people move through difficult and stressful times and resolve conflict without violence and abuse. For adults, we provide community and family mediation services to resolve disputes between neighbors, family members, co-workers, and others. For youth, we provide mediation services to students who are involved with the court or have had behavior problems at home or at school. We believe that helping people work through conflict and develop conflict resolution skills creates a safer and more peaceful community for everyone. Lake Toxaway Charities supports our program “Youth Leading for Peace (YLP) in Transylvania County”, a conflict resolution skills program that teaches students skills to handle aggression and anger, improve relationships with peers and adults, use verbal communication to resolve problems, and resolve conflicts peacefully. YLP also focuses on the leadership skills students need to be able to positively influence their peers and improve the overall climate of a classroom and school. Combined, all of these skills lead to positive outcomes for students, including increased academic success, healthier peer relationships, avoidance of violence, and increased high school graduation rates.” https://mediatewnc.org/
North Toxaway Baptist Church Food Bank
“The North Toxaway Baptist Church Food Bank was established in 2005 to provide for those in need in the local area, distributing food twice a month. In 2015, the Food Bank teamed with Manna Food Bank in Asheville, paying a small delivery fee and a portion of costs for the purchased food. Volunteers from the church congregation and others work every other week to help unload trucks, stock shelves, fill food boxes, and distribute food to over sixty registered families from the Lake Toxaway, Sapphire and Quebec communities. Thanks to funding from Lake Toxaway Charities and others, the North Toxaway Baptist Church Food Bank continues to offer much needed food assistance in western Transylvania County.” https://www.mannafoodbank.org/agency/north-toxaway-baptist-church/
Pisgah Legal Services
“For forty years Pisgah Legal Services (PLS), a non-profit law firm, has helped low-income people in Western North Carolina meet needs such as protection from domestic violence, avoiding homelessness, finding safe housing, accessing health care, and increasing income. PLS has 22 attorneys on staff and relies heavily on the pro bono legal services of approximately 300 volunteer attorneys and the help of more than 100 volunteers. The non-profit’s main service area includes six counties and has an office in Brevard. With the help of Lake Toxaway Charities, Pisgah Legal helped more than 548 low-income residents of Transylvania County in 2017, including 232 children.” https://www.pisgahlegal.org/
SAFE, Inc. of Transylvania County
“SAFE, Inc. of Transylvania County is a non-profit organization dedicated to creating a community free from domestic and sexual abuse. They lead the community in eliminating domestic and sexual abuse through support, prevention and outreach. The SAFE team knows that ending domestic and sexual abuse builds stronger families, stronger economies and overall stronger and safer communities. SAFE wants to ensure all victims of domestic violence and sexual assault can find safety, be treated with dignity and respect, and get access to the opportunities and services they need to create long lasting changes that will result in a life free of domestic and sexual abuse. Ultimately, SAFE wants create a positive, safe community that makes ending domestic abuse and violence a priority and is consistently engaged in prevention, advocacy, and education. With the help of Lake Toxaway Charities, who have helped SAFE immensely, victims of sexual abuse and domestic violence are able to seek shelter at SAFE and get the support they need from our staff to help ensure a safe and positive environment for their families.” http://safetransylvania.org/
The Salvation Army of Transylvania County
“Over the past year, The Salvation Army of Transylvania County has helped provide over 2,000 of our neighbors in need with food, clothing, furniture, heat, energy and rent. We could not have extended this outreach to so many without the generous grant from Lake Toxaway Charities.” https://www.salvationarmyusa.org/usn/
The Sharing House
“Sharing House is a source of compassion and crisis assistance for our low-income neighbors in Transylvania County, where we offer food and fresh produce, gently-used clothes, rent and utility assistance, household goods, camping equipment, hot showers, a safe place to share stories of struggle and a refuge of social interaction. We also empower people who seek paths to self-reliance, through special programs such as “Wheels to Work” and the Bridges Out of Poverty mentoring class called “Getting Ahead”. Without the generous support of Lake Toxaway Charities, we would not be able to offer so many programs as we do today in our ministry.” http://www.sharinghouse.org/
Special Olympics
“Special Olympics provides year-round sports opportunities for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community. With the help of funding from Lake Toxaway Charities, our local program provides sports training in: basketball, bocce, bowling, soccer, softball, swimming, and athletics (track and field).” specialolympics.org
Transylvania Vocational Services
“TVS provides day programming for adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities with a focus on enrichment, community engagement, preparation for employment, and skills for independence. Lake Toxaway Charities grants help us enhance art activities, create areas for peace and tranquility, and promote learning and engagement.” https://www.tvsinc.org/
Western Carolina Community Action (WCCA)
“Our Liquid Nutrition Program (Ensure) funded by Lake Toxaway Charities provides Ensure at a low cost to medically needy participants with documented conditions such as chewing or mouth issues, digestive problems or those who are receiving cancer treatments that prevent from them from being able to consume regular food. Participants are approved by their physician for this program, and, as this is often the only nutrition they are able to consume, it truly is a life-saver.Lake Toxaway Charities also sponsors our Mobile Meal Program, affectionately known as Meals on Wheels, which delivers hot lunches daily to the homes of house-bound seniors in the upper part of Transylvania County. Volunteers make these deliveries to recipients who are pre-enrolled with the program manager. Other funding is provided by the Home and Community Care Block Grant, proceeds from sales at the Tiger Town Thrift Store in Rosman and monetary donations from the caring public.” www.wcca.net
PROVIDERS OF MEDICAL ASSISTANCE:
Blue Ridge Free Dental Clinic
“The Blue Ridge Free Dental Clinic is the only non-profit provider of free comprehensive dental care in Western North Carolina. With a focus on restoration and prevention, the Clinic’s staff dentist and 13 volunteer dentists treat patients five days a week, and dental hygiene is offered three days a week at no charge to any patient. It is well-known that limited financial resources are a barrier to dental care. Medicare does not provide any dental services, and while Medicaid provides limited dental assistance, large portions of the needy population, particularly the working poor and elderly, do not qualify for that program. As a result of this, many patients have gone without dental care for years. Our focus on prevention and dental restoration aims to significantly reduce emergency dental visits. Lake Toxaway Charities, a financial supporter since 2014, has enabled our Clinic to grow its Hygiene Program and provide regular preventative cleanings for patients.” For more information, call (828) 743-3393.
Brevard Lions Club
“Lake Toxaway Charities graciously helps the Brevard Lions Club with our primary project, which is furnishing eyeglasses and eye exams for Transylvania County residents who cannot afford them. We average spending over $10,000 per year to help local children and adults improve their vision. Requests for assistance come from over 30 local charities and aid organizations. Fundraising for a small club like ours is difficult, and we couldn’t meet the need without the support of organizations like Lake Toxaway Charities.” www.brevardlionsclub.org
CarePartners Adult Day Services of Transylvania County
“CarePartners Adult Day Services of Transylvania County offers an enjoyable place for aging and impaired adults to stay engaged during the day. We provide carefully planned activities and monitor our participants to address any new, changing or acute needs of our participants. We provide nutritious meals/snacks, personal care, a daily period of rest, support services for families, and limited, but often crucial, financial support for families who cannot afford our daily fees. A team of qualified, professional staff members offers award-winning service within our center, providing convenience for caregivers who are working or have other responsibilities. Funding from Lake Toxaway Charities provides a means of continuing our program to ensure our center thrives for those families and individuals who need our services.” https://missionhealth.org/member-hospitals/carepartners/
Four Seasons Hospice
“Four Seasons is a nationally recognized, non-profit leader in the delivery of care for people with a serious illness. For nearly 40 years, our staff has ensured that patients and families going through an incredibly challenging time are cared for in a home-like setting with a team of professionals that minister to the body, mind, spirit, and emotional components of our clients. Thanks to funding by Lake Toxaway Charities, we offer support including in-home and inpatient hospice care, bereavement services and music therapy through Heart Songs (a children’s and teen’s grief program), and our program We Honor Veterans. ” https://www.fourseasonscfl.org/
Med Assist-Free RX
“NC MedAssist is a non-profit pharmacy program that provides access to lifesaving medications, patient support, advocacy, and related services to vulnerable and uninsured North Carolina residents. Through a grant from Lake Toxaway Charities, we brought our Mobile Free Pharmacy to Transylvania County and in April 2018 served 431 area residents through our event held at Brevard College. Each took home at least 10 over-the-counter medicine items, such as allergy relief, vitamins, first-aid and children’s medications. In addition, we identified 76 individuals who were uninsured. These individuals received follow-up information regarding our Free Pharmacy Program and no-cost community health resources. ” https://medassist.org/
PROVIDERS OF EDUCATION & SCHOLARSHIPS:
Brevard College
“Brevard College’s commitment to aiding Appalachian families began in 1853 in a one-room schoolhouse where Brevard College’s first leader, Reverend Abernethy, set as a goal that, “None shall ever be turned away for want of means.” Lake Toxaway Charities has been helping Brevard College fulfill this promise to local students since 1997. Each year, deserving full-time students from Transylvania County with demonstrated financial need (as determined and calculated by the submission of federal financial aid forms) receive funds from the Lake Toxaway Charities Endowed Scholarship. During the 2017-2018 academic year, Brevard College committed over approximately $10 million in scholarship support at an average of $15,000 per qualified student, making every effort to lessen the burden of college debt after graduation. ” https://brevard.edu/
Earthshine Nature Program
“Earthshine Nature Program (ENP) was founded in 2010 to provide a unique learning environment and opportunities that foster a lasting interest, respect, love and greater conservation of wildlife, wild places, and the fragile environment that supports us all. We have an exciting outreach program, taking our wildlife conservation and renewable energy messages to local and regional communities via schools, libraries, camps, churches, special events, festivals, and other public and private organizations. ENP with funding from Lake Toxaway Charities has created and maintains a one-of-a-kind nature and science education classroom open to our students throughout the week and to the public by appointment. ENP also provides a wildlife rescue, rehabilitation and conservation facility for the continued conservation and study of our native wildlife and wild places with our primary focus being on the wildlife of Transylvania County.” earthshinenature.com
4-H Club of Transylvania County
“4-H is a community of young people across America, learning leadership, citizenship, and life skills while pursuing a variety of interests. Programs are led by Youth Development Extension Agents and qualified volunteers. A new 4-H club, named Backwoods Broadheads 4-H Archery Club,was organized at the Lake Toxaway Community Center last year to provide young people in the area the opportunity to gain mastery in archery, while experiencing belonging, independence, and generosity (the essential elements of positive youth development). Funding from Lake Toxaway Charities has enabled this club to buy equipment, club t-shirts for competitions, and supplies.” https://nc4h.ces.ncsu.edu/R
Free Rein Center
“Founded in 2000, Free Rein Center (FRC) serves the community by strengthening the spirits, minds and bodies of children and adults through interaction with horses. As an accredited member of PATH International (Professional Association for Therapeutic Horsemanship), FRC offers programs that focus on the human-to-horse connection as the therapeutic agent in working with diverse groups ranging in age from children to senior citizens. The Center provides services to individuals with a wide range of disabilities including but not limited to children and adults with autism spectrum disorder, multiple sclerosis, stroke, PTSD, ADD, cerebral palsy, hearing impairment, at-risk youth, and other physical, cognitive, mental, emotional, and social needs. FRC is most grateful to Lake Toxaway Charities for its continued funding of our program in Transylvania County.” http://freereincenter.com/
Mountain Roots
“Mountain Roots is a local educational non-profit that provides discovery and outdoor learning experiences for youth, teens and their families in Transylvania County. It operates 50 weeks a year providing programs for every local public elementary school and summer day camps for children, as well as leadership and group development retreats and workshops for community groups and schools. In a digital era, Mountain Roots provides a safe place for children to make connections to a better understanding of themselves, their community and the wonders of the natural world that surround us. Lake Toxaway Charities grants have helped fund school gardens and gardening lessons to teach kids how to grow food at home or be involved with one of the community gardens in Transylvania County, as well as scholarships to day camp for families. ” mountainroots.org
Mountain School of Strings
“Mountain School of Strings is a non-profit music organization committed to providing affordable after-school strings classes for all who are interested. Our curriculum challenges students to play music from classical to traditional mountain tunes. Research indicates that music education gives students an edge when it comes to self-esteem, personal motivation and even academic success. We reach out to students at Transylvania County elementary schools and also teach at our own Brevard Music Center studio. With funding from Lake Toxaway Charities, we can ensure our programs continue.” mountainschoolofstrings.org
Muddy Sneakers
“Muddy Sneakers is an environmental education non-profit that partners with public elementary schools to bring fifth graders onto protected lands in their community. Our low-cost model allows us to provide high-quality outdoor experiential education to a diverse cross section of students. Muddy Sneakers provides a core foundation of science knowledge with a curriculum that is deeply intertwined with state standards. Over the course of a year of programming and multiple ‘learning expeditions,’ the Muddy Sneakers experience seeks to cultivate a love of inquiry and a lifelong bond between children and the natural world. Based in Brevard, Muddy Sneakers has deep roots in Western North Carolina, with more than 10 years of experience programming in Transylvania County. The Lake Toxaway Charities Community Sponsorship funding has assisted in covering the teacher training, enrichment materials and programming expenses for Muddy Sneakers to take students off-site to locations such Gorges State Park, Panthertown Valley, DuPont State Recreational Forest, Pisgah National Forest, and privately protected lands under conservation easement within the Richland Ridge community. ” https://muddysneakers.org/
New Adventure Learning Center
“New Adventure Learning Center is a full-time child day care center that serves children of many different backgrounds and abilities in each of our five classrooms. We serve 72 local area children, including 18 Pre-K students ages 4 and 5. We are a 5-star center which uses the Creative Curriculum to provide assessments, parent conferences and developmentally appropriate activities for children. We offer day care 5 days a week year round except for major holidays, and this enables parents to work full time, knowing their children have high quality care. With so many active children, our materials need to be replaced or updated regularly. The generous help of Lake Toxaway Charities has enabled us to purchase materials to enhance both the outdoor playgrounds and indoor areas, as we work to transform these to provide more learning activities for children whether they are outdoors or indoors on rainy days. ” For more information, call (828) 884-3232
Rise and Shine Freedom School
“Since 1996 when Neighbors In Ministry launched the Rise & Shine year-round after school program from K-12th grade, we have been helping economically disadvantaged and racial minority children learn about the fundamental importance of education, their community and themselves They also receive lessons in African American history and culture. We offer one-on-one tutoring, STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts and Mathematics) activities, as well as tools for academic and collegiate success. Rise & Shine is grateful for Lake Toxaway Charities generous support to help fund our STEAM program and the purchase of laptops. We began a computer aided design program so our students can build their own virtual models and 3D print them. They use iPads in connection with our touch screen TV to use game-based platforms, study applications and other educational platforms to have a benchmark of understanding and mastering subjects. We have over 60 volunteers who help foster our educational goals.” http://www.riseshine.org/
Rosman Elementary School
“Rosman Elementary serves Pre-K through Grade 5 students in the Rosman community of Transylvania County. Over the years Lake Toxaway Charities has provided our school with significant funds for teacher training, student books, math manipulatives and other classroom resources. Lake Toxaway Charities grants have also aided us in maintaining strong proficiency percentages on state exams and helping students overcome hurdles they may face.” https://www.tcsnc.org/Domain/14
Rosman Middle School
“For many years, Lake Toxaway Charities has aided Rosman Middle School help students reach their potential in the classroom and beyond. Funding has provided materials for science-themed career nights for students and families, stocked our clothing closet for students in need and purchased equipment such as calculators to help our students learn in class.” https://www.tcsnc.org/Domain/12
Rosman High School
“Lake Toxaway Charities funds the purchase of calculators, geography software for classroom use and virtual reality devices for our school’s media center. Its grants have allowed us to enhance our classroom geography programs, encouraging our students to ‘travel’ the world and expand their own horizons through the use of today’s technology.” https://www.tcsnc.org/Domain/9
TC Henderson Elementary School
“T.C. Henderson Elementary School of Science and Technology used funds donated by Lake Toxaway Charities to purchase a greenhouse, where our students learn about ecosystems, the plant life cycle and the water cycle. We also collaborate with other agencies as an extension to our outdoor learning by partnering with Highlands Botanical, Dupont State Forest, The Arboretum, and the Nature Center. Our greenhouse added a root farm seed starter kit, peat pots, a germination station with a heat lamp, potting mix, liquid plant food and plastic planters. As a school of science and technology, we encourage students to use STEM materials, which incorporate science, technology, engineering and mathematics. Through Lake Toxaway Charities donations, we purchased STEM bins and manipulative kits, Ozobot Robots with accessories and Snap Circuits. In addition to educational materials, we purchased bean bag chairs, rockers and lap desks for our students to use as alternative seating to foster creative learning.” https://www.tcsnc.org/Domain/16
Transylvania Community Arts Council
“Lake Toxaway Charities grants primarily help the TC Arts Council provide art classes, art camps and art opportunities for the underserved, economically challenged and special needs individuals in Transylvania County. The Council works closely with Transylvania Vocational Services (adults with disabilities), Rise and Shine (an after-school program), and El Centro Community Center. It also offers gallery exhibits, joins in local art and culture celebrations, supports the County’s economic development through art and awards its own grants and scholarships. Programs in photography, pottery and other art mediums are offered to children and adults at its summer camps, local schools and year-round classes to provide an introduction to and promote the arts in Transylvania County.” http://tcarts.org/
OTHER:
The Cindy Platt Boys and Girls Club of Transylvania County
“The Cindy Platt Boys & Girls Club is the largest youth development organization in Transylvania County, serving over 250 school-aged children and teens daily through our after-school and summer programs. Our sustainable vision is to invest in these lives, making a lifelong positive impact that shapes their futures and builds a sense of belonging and pride. Many local families rely on our Club to help their children achieve academic success, adopt healthy lifestyles and cultivate good character and citizenship. Lake Toxaway Charities directly supports our Club’s teen programming, which helps prepare them for career or college success and nurtures a strong sense of civic responsibility and commitment to serving others. ” https://www.bgctransylvania.org/
Lake Toxaway Community Center
“Thanks to a generous grant from Lake Toxaway Charities, the Lake Toxaway Community Center off Hwy. 281 refurbished our playground and doubled it in size. The roof of the picnic shelter was repaired and lighting for evening activities was installed. New plastic play structures were added for toddlers, and two climbing walls and a wooden tree house plus a tire swing were built. The finishing touch was to install plastic mulch in all needed areas for safety. The expanded playground and picnic areas are a huge success, used daily by area families and their children, who can now explore and play safely on the new equipment.” http://www.toxawaycc.com/
Young Life of Transylvania County
“Young Life is a group of staff and volunteers committed to building relationships with youth to earn their trust. We have active ministries that reach out to students at Brevard and Rosman High Schools, together with WyldLife for children at Brevard and Rosman Middle Schools and Brevard Academy. In addition, YoungLives is our ministry targeting teen-aged mothers in Transylvania County. Lake Toxaway Charities partners with Young Life by providing scholarship funds for our summer camp program. For many young people in Transylvania County, the financial burden makes summer camp only a dream, but because of the partnership and generosity of Lake Toxaway Charities, that dream can become reality. ” https://transylvania.younglife.org/Pages/default.aspx
