ACW donates toys; Santa Tour in Mills River; Kenmure Fights Cancer reaches milestone
Apple Country Woodcrafters donate thousands of toys
Members of the Apple Country Woodcrafters club gathered at the Hendersonville Elks Club on Dec. 6 and distributed more than 2,500 handmade wooden toys to 11 local human service agencies at its annual Toy Giveaway/Holiday Party.
The agencies received the gifts, tailored to the age and gender of their young clients, for delivery in time for the year-end holidays, according to a news release. Agencies receiving toys included The Salvation Army, Hendersonville Rescue Mission, Missions-Carolina Baptist Association, Elida Homes, Calvary Food Pantry, The Storehouse, Helping Hand Development Center, Craggy Correctional Center and more.
The 235 members of the Apple Country Woodcrafters have spent the last year building these gifts by hand in their professionally-equipped 3,700-square foot workshop off Sugarloaf Road in Hendersonville.
“This is the 37th year for our wooden toy distribution,” said Club President Tom Allen, of Laurel Park, in the release. “And we will start on next year’s build just as soon as this Toy Party is over.”
Apple Country Woodworkers, established in 1985, is a local nonprofit dedicated to education and the development of wood working skills. Anyone can join and take advantage of the fully equipped and stocked woodshop and the advice and camaraderie of fellow woodworkers. For more information go to https://www.applecountrywoodcrafters.org.
Santa Tour set for Mills River
The Mills River Fire Department, in partnership with the Mills River Parks and Recreation Department and the Henderson County Sheriff's Office, will be bringing Santa Claus to Mills River neighborhoods on Dec. 9.
According to a news release, Santa will be traveling through town on a big red fire truck. The Santaride-along will begin at 9 a.m. and is scheduled to conclude by 5 p.m.
Due to Mills River's size and mountainous roads, the fire truck will not be able to travel up each road in town, the release said. But it will pass through the town’s main roadways and as many neighborhoods as possible.
To find out the route, visit https://www.millsriver.org/santa.
IAM’s Holiday Food and Winter Coat Drive continues
Interfaith Assistance Ministry’s annual Holiday Food and Winter Coat Drive is underway to help ensure that local families can enjoy a holiday meal at home during the holiday season and stay warm, according to a news release.
To help families and individuals struggling, IAM is offering a full holiday meal in December to assist families who cannot afford a traditional meal to celebrate Christmas or Hannukah. Food and financial donations for the food drive will be accepted through Dec. 15
Joseph Laughter, owner of Joseph Laughter Clothier in Laurel Park Shopping Center, is organizing the shopping center’s vendors again this year to sponsor the event for IAM from 10 a.m.-3 p.m. Dec. 14. Mark Warwick, WTZQ DJ and station owner, is offering a special live broadcast from the shopping center that day at lunchtime.
Donations of new and gently used winter coats and warm jackets, preferably ones with hoods for children, will be taken through Dec. 21. Coats and jackets of all sizes are needed.
Food donations and financial contributions are accepted Monday through Friday at IAM’s Food Pantry door, under the portico in the back of IAM’s driveway at 310 Freeman St. Donations are accepted from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m., Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday and 9 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Fridays.
Donations needed for holiday meals include 6-to-10 pound hams, 10-to-15 pound turkeys, turkey breasts, hams, stuffing mix, gravy mix or canned gravy, sweet potatoes or yams, canned fruits, canned green beans, canned corn, small to medium bags of potatoes, mushroom soup, fried onions, pie crusts, pie filling, cake mixes and icing.
Donations of food and clothing are needed year-long. For more information about IAM, call 828-697-7029 or visit https://www.iam-hc.org.
Kenmure Fights Cancer has record donation to AdventHealth
In a news release, AdventHealth Hendersonville thanked members of Kenmure Fights Cancer for their longstanding support of AdventHealth’s cancer care and prevention programs. The philanthropic organization dedicated ton “remember those we have lost to cancer, honor those who have survived the battle and support those who are struggling today against this terrible disease” is based in the Kenmure Community in Flat Rock.
This year, Kenmure Fights Cancer donated a record amount of more than $77,000 to AdventHealth for its expansion of breast health care. Along with being able to support AdventHealth cancer services with a record donation, Kenmure Fights Cancer also reached its goal in its “March to a Million,” reaching the $1 million milestone for its overall fundraising history.
The latest donation was specifically allocated to the purchase of the hospital's second state-of-the-art 3D mammography machine. This innovative technology is significantly enhancing our ability to detect and diagnose breast cancer, providing our patients with access to the latest advancements in medical imaging. The Hologic 3D™ systems provide better visibility, a more comfortable patient experience, and more efficient exams.
Hendersonville AARP meeting set
Open Hendersonville AARP Meeting and program on" What to do with The Stuff". Nancy Nehls Nelson an independent facilitator and community advocate will present ideas on letting go of things before you die at the Hendersonville AARP meeting, set for 11:30 a.m. Dec. 13 at Bay Breeze Restaurant located at 1830 Asheville Highway.
This article originally appeared on Hendersonville Times-News: ACW donates toys; Santa Tour in Mills River; IAM's food, clothing drive; Kenmure Fights Cancer reaches milestone
