WCCF Announces 2013 Spirit of Philanthropy Award

Watauga Community Foundation Celebrations 20th Anniversary,

Announces 2013 Spirit of Philanthropy Award Recipients

The Watauga County Community Foundation celebrated its 20th Anniversary and held its 8th annual Philanthropy Day Luncheon on November 14 at the Blowing Rock Conference Center.  Highlighting the event was the announcement of the 2013 Spirit of Philanthropy Award recipients—the Appalachian Women’s Fund and the High Country Women’s Fund.   

November is National Philanthropy Month and November 15 is National Philanthropy Day.  National Philanthropy Month provides an opportunity to reflect on the meaning of giving and all that it has made possible. The first National Philanthropy Day was held in 1986. 

In 2006, the Watauga County Community Foundation established a Spirit of Philanthropy Award to celebrate the community’s philanthropic leaders. The Spirit of Philanthropy Award recognizes those who have generously shared their time, talents and treasures for the betterment of Watauga County and the broader community.  Past winners include Jim Deal, John and Faye Cooper, Art and Susan Barber, A.P.E, the Boone Service League, the Mountain Alliance, and the High Country United Way.

This year, the Watauga County Community Foundation decided to jointly recognize the High Country Women’s Fund and the Appalachian Women’s Fund.  “We are incredibly fortunate to have not one, but two philanthropic organizations focused on women’s issues,” said Brian Crutchfield, Watauga County Community Foundation Board Member, who presented the awards.  “In less than seven years both of these groups have created an awareness of the special needs of women in the High Country and have become a philanthropic catalyst for social change and economic justice with the goal of creating a community where all women and girls reach their full potential.”

Together, the Appalachian Women’s Fund and High Country Women’s Fund have contributed thousands of volunteer hours and raised and distributed more than $850,000 to area organizations and projects that are addressing a number of women’s issues and concerns.