However, despite their significance, access to these vital services remains limited for many families.

According to the North Carolina Center for Afterschool Programs, only 30 percent of Macon and Jackson counties youth have access to out-of-school care.

For many households, after-school programs offer more than just supervision – they’re essential in maintaining family stability and allowing parents to focus on their jobs, knowing their children are in good hands.

Several organizations across the Plateau are rising to the challenge, offering robust after-school programs that cater to a variety of needs and age groups:

• The Literacy & Learning Center of Highlands provides after-school homework assistance and engaging educational activities for kindergarten through third-grade students. For older students, grades 4-8, the Center offers help with papers, research, and overall comprehension. Their efforts ensure students receive academic support beyond the school day.

• The Sunshine School Afterschool Program, affiliated with First Presbyterian Church, creates a nurturing environment for children in grades K-4. The program offers homework help, daily literacy activities, and enrichment programs to support social, emotional, and intellectual growth. Operating Monday through Friday from 3:00 to 5:00 P.M., the Sunshine School provides parents with a reliable and caring option for their children after school hours.

• Highlands United Methodist Church offers a faith-based program for Highlands School students in grades K-5. In addition to homework support, children engage in activities like reading, STEM, art, and music. The program runs Monday through Thursday from 3:10 to 5:00 P.M., ensuring students can access enriching experiences that nurture their minds and creativity.

• The Boys & Girls Club of the Plateau stands out as the only program serving youth from kindergarten through 12th grade. With locations in Cashiers and Highlands, BGCP offers a comprehensive out-of-school care program focused on academic success, healthy lifestyles, and character development. Their specialized teen programming includes service learning and career readiness, preparing older students for life beyond school. The Cashiers location operates from 2:30 to 6:30 P.M., while the new Highlands location, which opened in August 2024, runs from 3:00 to 7:30 P.M. to support hospital staff as well as the greater community.

The post Playing a Crucial Roll appeared first on Laurel Magazine.

In the wake of Hurricane Helene, Mountaintop Rotary Club of Highlands and Highlands Rotary Club joined forces to provide immediate relief to devastated communities. The two clubs worked in tandem to coordinate a comprehensive response, leveraging their combined resources and expertise.

To streamline relief efforts, the clubs secured the use of the former Bank of America building in Highlands as a staging area for food and supplies. This generous donation allowed for efficient distribution of resources to local communities. For larger deliveries, Mountaintop Rotary established a main distribution site in Franklin, utilizing a warehouse generously loaned to the club.

The clubs’ initial response focused on providing immediate relief to those most impacted by the storm. Within days of the hurricane, Mountaintop and Highlands Rotary Clubs jointly donated $5,000 and partnered with Tony Potts to secure a tractor-trailer of water from South Georgia. This vital supply was delivered to Franklin for further distribution.

Additionally, club members gathered donations to fill a box truck and sent it to Marshall, a town in Western North Carolina that experienced severe damage.

Together, the twin Rotaries are working to ensure that the needs of affected communities are met. The clubs are actively seeking additional donations, coordinating with other Rotary clubs, and collaborating with local organizations to provide ongoing support.

Both clubs’ dedication to community service is evident in their ongoing efforts to support local initiatives and respond to crises. Their rapid response to Hurricane Helene demonstrate their unwavering support for our local community and beyond.

The post Unwavering Support appeared first on Laurel Magazine.

Over the years, there have been many heartwarming moments and many instances when officers go above and beyond to make children’s dreams come true.

One such story is when two sisters were waiting outside Highlands School on SWAC day. It was 4:30 P.M. and school had been out since 3:00 P.M.

A teacher asked the girls why they were still there and they told the teacher they were waiting for the Cop to pick them up for their shopping trip. The teacher called the Highlands Police Department who reached out to the Sheriff, and it was discovered those children’s names were not on their list to participate. It was decided that a Highlands Police Officer would pick the little girls up and bring them to Walmart. With smiles on their faces and their $100 gift card in hand, these girls shopped – buying only socks and underwear. One of the things children are asked to do is choose a gift for a sibling but these girls embraced that spirit, shopping for each other. The officers shared this story, and the girls were given another gift card. This time they bought only sweaters and coats.

Another time Officer Scott Nelson and his wife, Alice, went shopping with two brothers, 6 and 7 years old. They had a baby brother at home living with their grandparents, and times were especially tough for this family. Each of the boys only wanted to get food and necessities for the home.

The Nelsons found out the boys had no winter clothes or shoes. Going above and beyond they purchased those items for the boys and items for their family as well. Grandma got a crock pot so she could make warm meals for the family, along with much-needed food and necessities. A box of candies and slippers were purchased for Grandpa, and their baby brother got clothes.

This year there will be a greater need for necessities because of Hurricane Helene and the destruction it brought to Western North Carolina.

Please consider a donation to make Christmas bright for these children. You may mail your check payable to Shop With A Cop or SWAC to Caroline Cook at P. O. Box 2785, Highlands, NC 28741, or drop the check by the Highlands Police Department. Donations are tax-deductible.

The post Santa Has A Badge appeared first on Laurel Magazine.

Whether sunshine or icestorm, most of us are comfy-cozy, relaxing by a fireplace, sipping libations or hot cocoa.

In the winter many part time residents leave. They rarely witness the struggles of many living here. Those are our workers, laborers who keep us going all year round. While we’re cozy, they persevere in the stark winter months. Mother Nature, for all her beauty, can be a tough town for our working residents.

We must be reminded: Without our workers, we’d be the ones struggling. Gandhi said, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.”

Our workers have done that for us. This is the time to help them.

A dozen-plus remarkable, unpaid women (not sure where they hide their angel wings) are in the trenches.

They comprise Cashiers Cares. In 15 years, they’ve made a tremendous impact on this area. Last year they achieved their goal: distributing over $100K to 10 local non-profits. Profits of over $40,000 from their 3rd Golf Tournament is giving a great start to their Annual Campaign.

That growth is spawned by events they’ve built over time. The star of the fundraisers is the Annual Trillium Golf Fest. It was the best showing ever with a sell-out and waiting list. The tourney participants are shouting kudos, looking forward to next year. They said, “We had not just a tourney, but you gave us a fabulous party with home-prepared food, gifts, and an event unparalleled.”

Cashiers Cares supports almost as many charities as they have angels: Awake (preventing child abuse); Hampton Preschool and Learning Center; Four Seasons, Care Navigation; Literary Council of Cashiers, NC; Community Care Clinic; Pisgah Legal Services; United Christian Ministries; Cashiers Valley Preschool; Fishes & Loaves; and SAFE – shelter from domestic violence. These organizations help supply a safety net for those youngest to those at end of life.

Cashiers Cares celebrates its 16th Annual Mail and Online campaign to support our hard-working neighbors.

For more information, visit cashierscares.org. Ready to donate? Contact Pam Kerr at [email protected]. You can make checks payable to Cashiers Cares, a 501(c)(3) organization.

The post Cashiers Keeps Caring appeared first on Laurel Magazine.

Since its founding in 2006, CWO has raised over $3,145,000 for local non-profits and charities, a testament to the generosity and civic responsibility embraced by the women of the Cullasaja Club.

This year alone, the group raised an impressive $345,000, surpassing previous records and demonstrating the power of community-driven philanthropy. They distributed those funds to 29 local charities and nonprofits. Grants this year, ranged from supporting medical services like diagnostic tests for uninsured residents to educational initiatives aimed at enriching the lives of local children.

Eighty-one percent of dollars awarded went toward educational programs and health and humanitarian services, benefiting a wide range of those living and working in the area.

Margaret Eichman, Executive Director, reflected on the imminent community needs, stating, “This year, more than ever, our Outreach strove to recognize the unmet needs of people who struggle to make ends meet.”

CWO has become a symbol of civic empathy, a way to acknowledge and support the individuals who volunteer and contribute to the vibrancy of the Highlands-Cashiers region.

The organization was born from a simple, yet profound question posed to a few women living in the Cullasaja Club: “How can we make a difference in the broader community?” With an understanding of the responsibility that accompanies affluence, a small group of women formed an independent collaborative dedicated to raising funds for area non-profits. Today, the group is 99 women strong and operates as an all-volunteer organization, entirely focused on uplifting lives and specifically drawing attention to local not-for-profits providing for those in need.

The success of CWO lies in its meticulous approach to philanthropy. A 22-member grants committee conducted site visits, evaluated proposals, and reviewed organizational effectiveness to determine where this year’s funds would have the greatest impact.

Through their efforts, CWO continues to fulfill its purpose of “making our corner of the world a little better, one grant at a time. Through our giving, it has become ever more apparent that changing the world for the better begins with the actions we take in our own backyard,” expressed Eichman.

For more information, visit cullasajawomensoutreach.org.

The post Meeting The Needs appeared first on Laurel Magazine.

Considering the recent hurricane and all the destruction, loss of lives, pain, and sorrow that so many of our neighboring communities are having to experience I hardly know where to begin. I know that it is truly by the Grace of God that Carpe Diem Farms, the place, the animals, and I were truly blessed.

We did everything to prepare, the horses were in the stables and the arena on the highest and safest ground available to them. Anything that could become a flying object was secured. I grew up in south Florida and know about preparing for storms as best you can.

We have the head waters of Buck Creek and Stewart Cove Branch running through CDF, encircling the stables and all the pastures. Buck Creek rose to the highest level I’ve ever seen with waves and white caps. One hundred feet beyond the stables the creek breached its banks, flooded the two paddocks where Daniel and Kaleb are housed and appeared to be 10 inches or more deep.

Their paddock barn, just high enough to stay dry and undisturbed. (They were in the arena and safe from the flooding.) It will dry out eventually and they will be able to enjoy the space once again. The other five horses stayed safely in the stables.

When the storm passed, and I was able to walk throughout the property. I was overcome with gratitude. The farm came through the storm unscathed.

So, this November article is filled with more gratitude and appreciation than I can find the words to express. May your hearts be filled as well.

We are reaching out to help those who have lost their towns, their homes, family members and so much more. Please join me in keeping them in your prayers and doing anything you can to ease their burden.

Carpe Diem Farms is a 501(c)(3) Educational Foundation, “Exploring the Human Potential Through Equines.”

The post All The Blessings appeared first on Laurel Magazine.

Bonnie Grossman and Larry Morris

Due to a failing floor and the need to have a roof over our walkway, we embarked on an addition and remodeling of our current facility.  We entered a contract with Lehotsky & Sons Builders in Cashiers to do the renovation and addition.

We moved out of our facility and into the old thrift store. The Cashiers Community Council allowed us to use their facility from January through August for free to help support our efforts to provide food to our neighbors in Jackson and adjacent counties.

The overall cost of the project was $280,000, which includes removing and replacing the conventional wood floor with a solid concrete floor. We replaced the heating and cooling system with mini splits, replaced the lighting with LED lighting, removed and replaced the front porch and handicap ramp using TREX, added a cover over the walkway and ramp, added additional drainage, added additional exterior lighting, and repainted the building.

We also added about 12 feet to the building and replaced the walk-in freezer and cooler. We received grants for about a 1/3 of the cost but we had money that we have saved over the years, which allowed us to pay for this renovation.

Vince Jack

We have also received contributions which have almost paid for all the renovations.

During this time, we prepared for a major change in the way we distribute food.

We moved from a prepared box of food items to a grocery store set up where our neighbors selected the items that they wanted.  The inside of our pantry was redesigned with new shelving and more open to allow neighbors to use grocery carts to move about the facility and pick those food items that best fit their family’s needs.

Jim King

With change comes new challenges.  Learning how to help our neighbors select as well as setting up the pantry for the best flow of people.  We have been reopened since mid-August and I am proud to say that we have set up a beautiful and welcoming facility.  Every week we improve on our process.

Our current challenge is that our Food Bank, located in Swannanoa, was destroyed and they have had to relocated and rebuild their supplies to help the 16 counties they serve through 200 pantries.   We encourage the community to help Manna Food Bank financially to get back on their feet and once that happens, we will also benefit from those donations.

The post Fishes and Loaves Gets a Facelift appeared first on Laurel Magazine.

With donations from the community, they provide basic necessities and holiday cheer to children, the elderly, and people with disabilities in Western Transylvania County.

“We always want to bring people joy and help meet their needs,” Paulette Todd, general manager of The Greystone Inn, said. “With all that the county and western North Carolina as a whole has experienced this year, it is so important we continue this tradition and the spirit of giving.”

As we continue to recover from the effects of Hurricane Helene, it is also clear that our community’s needs are more present and critical than ever before.

The Greystone Inn’s Angel Tree Program annually helps more than two hundred people in the community, who are selected with the help and expertise of Lake Toxaway Charities. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to sponsor an angel. Your donation will help make the holidays special for all our angels, whether it’s a child waking up to new clothes, a gift, and a stocking of everyday necessities, or a senior citizen receiving a blanket, food, and a gift card to their local grocery store.

All sponsors and community members are invited to attend The Greystone’s Christmas Tree Lighting ceremony on Thursday, December 5th. Representatives from Lake Toxaway Charities, local schools, and community volunteers will be there to celebrate this beautiful time of year as the community joins in this one-of-a-kind event. Attendees can drop off additional donations of basic necessities, such as non-perishable food items, new clothing, toiletries, and school supplies, before enjoying musical entertainment by the Rosman High School chorus and refreshments provided by Lake Toxaway Charities.

To sponsor an angel, visit thegreystoneinnmarket.com or call (828) 966-4700.

As we enter a season of thankfulness, love, and hope for the new year, join The Greystone and Lake Toxaway Charities in this beautiful Angel Tree tradition.

The post The Tradition of Giving appeared first on Laurel Magazine.

On a whim, I got that old shirt out of the closet in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene and I decided to wear it to the shelter. As the day went on, I thought about that challenging time when we had those shirts made. And I thought more and more about what being strong really means.

Times like disaster and recovery can bring out the best in us. And, unfortunately, sometimes the worst in some folks, too. Especially on social media where the “keyboard warriors” can type away to their dark hearts’ content. And then there are the inevitable scammers who crawl out from under the rocks where they reside to prey on the hurting and the vulnerable. In my opinion, anyone who takes advantage of the disadvantaged has a weak moral compass, if one at all.

In the days after the devastation from Helene, our staff was nothing short of animal welfare heroes, taking care of more than 100 dogs, cats, puppies and kittens. Even when their own homes had no power, no water, no cell service, they came in to work to keep saving the lives of the shelter pets entrusted to our care.

They are CHHS Strong.

Let us all continue to Be Strong. Because others around us, two-legged and four-legged, who have greater needs than our own, are counting on us to help.

Let’s Be Kind. Be Caring. Be Respectful. Be Patient.

And to all creatures great and small… let us please be…Humane.

The post Be Kind. Be Caring. appeared first on Laurel Magazine.

From dedicated volunteers who donate their time and expertise, to generous donors who contribute financially, the TL&LC community is united by a shared commitment to education. These individuals come together from all walks of life, driven by a desire to make a positive difference in the lives of others.

TL&LC is grateful for the trust and confidence students and their families have placed in staff. Their support has created a safe and nurturing environment where individuals can learn, grow, and reach their full potential. The bonds formed among TL&LC families develop a sense of kinship within the community, fostering a supportive and inspiring atmosphere.

A home is more than just a structure; it’s a place of belonging and warmth. In the same way, The Literacy & Learning Center is more than a collection of bricks and mortar. It’s a community where individuals come together to learn, grow, and support one another.

As we enter this season of thanks, TL&LC would like to thank each of you for creating this special place. Your contributions, whether financial, volunteer hours, or words of encouragement, have helped make TL&LC a vital part of our community.

To learn more about volunteering, contact Caroline Cox at [email protected]. To learn more about financial contributions, contact Jenni Edwards at [email protected]. Both can be reached by phone at (828) 526-0863.

The post The Impact of Education appeared first on Laurel Magazine.