What makes life on the Plateau so special? Ask anyone, and you’ll hear the same answer: it’s our sense of community and the way we look after one another.
Here, neighbors lend a hand, and when challenges arise, we step up together. Among the many organizations helping our town thrive, the Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation stands out for its unwavering commitment to improving the health and well-being of our region.
Foundation Executive Director Dr. Myrle Grate, who joined the team in August, explains that the Foundation serves six western North Carolina counties-Macon, Jackson, Swain, Cherokee, Clay, and Graham.
Its mission focuses on three core priorities: expanding access to primary health care, improving mental health services and addiction recovery, and promoting the well-being of youth and children. Beyond these, the Foundation also supports local food assistance programs-an increasingly vital need in recent months.
This fall, the Foundation has distributed about $45,000 to local food banks, with an additional $150,000 soon to be allocated across the six counties. Half of that funding comes from a $75,000 grant from Dogwood Health, with the remaining $75,000 matched by the Foundation itself. Local recipients include The Friendship Center (Methodist Church food bank) and the Highlands Emergency Council, both of which have faced empty shelves amid rising demand.
In 2025, the Foundation awarded $1.7 million in grants to 103 organizations, but requests totaled $2.5 million, a reminder that need still outpaces resources. Critical priorities remain-primary care access, cancer screenings, dental services, school nurses, care for abused children, and mental health support for families and youth.
Local organizations awarded grants include Blue Ridge Health, Boys and Girls Club of the Plateau, Community Care Clinic, Counseling Center of Highlands, Summit Charter School, Highlands Rotary Club, and the Highlands Community Child Development Center, among others.
As the season of giving approaches, each of us has an opportunity to help close that gap. When planning your year-end donations, please consider including the Highlands Cashiers Health Foundation in your giving. Every contribution, large or small, helps strengthen the safety net that supports our neighbors.
Together, we can ensure that our beautiful corner of Western North Carolina remains not only scenic but also strong, healthy, and full of heart.
When we all work together for a healthier community, we all benefit.
Favorites Count: 0