February 2024 Quarterly Newsletter

Thank you for being a part of our thriving community that continues to serve Henderson County Public Schools by investing in and responding to the whole child and the whole school.

 

Vote for HCEF!

Blue Ridge Orthodontics (BRO) is giving away $2,500 to a local nonprofit. Vote for  Henderson County Education Foundation to win!

Voting is open until April 1!

Share this link with as many people as you can:
https://www.blueridgeorthodontics.com/nonprofit-giveaway/

 

2nd Annual Sporting Clays Tournament

March 22 – 9:00 am to 1:30 pm
To Raise Funds for the Expansion of Leader in Me

Location: CLEGHORN GUN CLUB
1887 Union Rd., Rutherfordton, NC 28139
DIRECTIONS

9:00-9:30 Breakfast and Registration
9:30-10:00 Required Safety Meeting
10:00 Tournament Start Time
12:30-1:30 Networking, Lunch, Awards

$800 for a team of 4 or $225 for individual participants

New This Year:  $125 to sponsor an educator or $400 to sponsor a school team to play

15 stations, 100 targets per person

Golf carts included for all participants

Gun rentals available from the club (request in advance)

Ammo not provided by HCEF (available for purchase at Cleghorn Gun Club)

First place team wins $500 to spend at the pro shop (split among team members)

50-50 raffle to benefit the students in Henderson County Public Schools

Breakfast and lunch provided

Thank you to our Sponsor: 
Horizon Heat & Air 

Middle School Berrian Concert

On behalf of the orchestra directors of Henderson County, we cordially invite you to our Berrian Middle School All-County Orchestra concert. 

Friday, March 15th, 7:00pm
@ Flat Rock Middle School

Jennie Quinn will be conducting the orchestras which will include ALL 7th and 8th grade string players enrolled in our programs.

Please mark your calendars as we look forward to seeing you in March! 

Berrian All-County Orchestra Festival

Each year, the festivals give Henderson County Public Schools orchestra students the chance to learn from and be inspired by professional musicians, improve their skills by playing challenging music, and give back to the community by performing a free concert.

Henderson County Pathfinders Program

In Henderson County, where 10% of students aged 16-19 (610 students) are categorized as disconnected youth, meaning they are neither in school nor employed, there is a pressing need for a one-on-one mentoring program. Many middle and high school students currently face academic, attendance, and behavioral challenges that increase their risk of becoming disconnected from education and employment. However, due to limited administrators and counselors, our capacity to address this issue is constrained. To meet this challenge, a community coalition has come together to establish a mentoring program that will ultimately benefit every middle and high school student from 7th grade to graduation.

On November 6, the Henderson County Board of Commissioners committed to an initial investment of $50,000 to get the program started.

Mentors will have one-on-one check-ins every other month with middle and high school students.

During the check-ins, mentors focus on:

  • Academics

  • Attendance

  • Behavior

  • Career interests

  • Postsecondary plans

  • Connecting students to school and community resources

  • University of North Carolina system admission requirements

A program director has been hired, and she is currently recruiting mentors.  Please go to our webpage to learn more.

 

Scholarship Applications are now Closed!

Our Foundation administers over 40 scholarships for graduates of Henderson County’s public high schools, totaling about $125,000 each year. Each scholarship has a specific purpose and tailored eligibility criteria.

The scholarships are managed by the Foundation’s Program Committee and staff, with the involvement of high school counselors, teachers, and scholarship review committees, including members of the Henderson County community.

Current Scholarship Overview 
Scholarships in Detail

Questions?
Email [email protected] or
call the office at 828.697.5551

Food For Thought

HCEF would like to thank everyone that participated in our annual Food for Thought Campaign. All proceeds will support the annual Spring Fund and directly benefit students in Henderson County Public Schools.

Winners! 

1st Place:  Susan Thomas
2nd Place:  Laura Carlson
3rd Place: Sheila Clendenning

A Day in the Country Café– Pat Wilde
Arabella– Judy Edwards 
Black Bear Coffee & Café- Chris Becker
Eggs Up Grill- Frank St. Cyr
Hannah Flanagan’s Pub & Eatery- Ken Thomas
Hendersonville Community Co-op and Deli– Morgan Pearson Martin
HenDough Chicken & Donuts– Gwyneth McCawley
Indian Aroma Bistro- Leslie Roland
Marino’s Pizza– Cassandra
McFarlan Bake Shop– Sandy Schorr
Mezzaluna Brick Oven & Tap Room– Jennifer Perella
Moe’s Original BBQ– Katie Powers
Monte’s Sub Shop– Stephen Conti
Mountain Deli– Fritz Becker
Pop’s Diner- Beverly Stough
Postero– Eric Conner
The Dugout Sports Bar & Taphouse– Animals R Us
Three Chopt Sandwich Shoppe– Janet Lienberger
Uncle Scott’s Pizza- Joseph Edwards
West First Wood-Fired Pizza- Brooke Kihlmire
White Duck Taco Shop- Joshua Kelch
Wine Sage and Gourmet- Timothy Gabel 

Thank you to our Sponsors: 
BGW CPA & WTZQ

Southern Appalachian Brewery

Southern Appalachian Brewing (SAB), in collaboration with two dedicated HCEF educators, Sam Henry and Wayne Nock, organized a festive Merry Christmas event to celebrate the school break. Educators were warmly welcomed to bring along their favorite Christmas vinyl records to add to the seasonal ambiance at SAB. It was an opportunity for colleagues to come together, enjoy a spin of cherished holiday tunes, and savor a pint of fine brew. The event also contributed to a charitable cause, with approximately $200 raised to support various HCEF programs and initiatives.

We want to thank everyone that donated, volunteered, played, and participated! 

 

Manners Meal

In January, the HCEF Board meeting found its venue at Mezzaluna, a proud partner of the Food for Thought initiative. Adding to the vibrant atmosphere, members of the East Henderson Student Government Association participated in their “Manners Meal” program. During the event, Board members actively mingled with the students, fostering engaging conversations, and later evaluated their etiquette and manners as the lunch concluded.

Education Celebration 

Tuesday, April 30th, 5:30 – 8:00 pm

Jeter Mountain Farm

1126 Jeter Mountain Road
Hendersonville, NC 28739

The Henderson County Education Foundation Hall of Fame honors those individuals who have demonstrated measurable influence and made significant

 contributions to the growth and development of education in Henderson County.

The Hall provides an opportunity for special recognition of these men and women who have led our community’s focus on educational excellence in Henderson County for decades. The Hall also provides the community with a focus for preserving the County’s exciting educational history.

One of only five Education Halls of Fame in North Carolina, membership in the HCEF Hall of Fame involves the selection of up to five nominees for induction each year. Over 140 teachers, administrators, support staff, school board members and donors have been honored since the Hall of Fame was founded in 2003.

Be on the lookout for the press release announcing the Class of 2024 Inductees.

Register Here!

Mini Grants for Henderson County Public School Teachers

HCEF offered educators the opportunity to apply for mini-grants to support professional development, special projects, and/or field trips.The “Supporting Teachers” committee diligently reviewed 70 applications from Henderson County educators and granted full or partial funding to 31 projects, serving over 6000 students, and totaling $10,011.14.   

A Few Mini Grant Recipients

  • Sugarloaf Elementary – Career Fair – School wide event impacting 422 students
  • Clear Creek Elementary – English and Spanish Language Family Engagement Activities – Over 500 students impacted
  • Atkinson Elementary – Robots for STEM – 180 students impacted
  • East Henderson High School – Eagle Eye Literary Arts Magazine – Impacting 100 students
  • Edneyville Elementary School – Indoor planetarium: PARI – Impacting 65 third grade students

 

Charitable Educational Pieces 

Are you thinking of donating to a non-profit, or adding a non-profit organization in your will or trust? Below there is an article that shares information about charitable giving options, a guide to plan for a charitable bequest, a guide for placing QCDs in split interest entities, and an article with charitable donors options.

Charitable Giving Planning Options 

Guide to Planning a Charitable Bequest

Placing QCDs into a Split-Interest Entity

What Kind of Charitable Donor Are You?

2023-2024 Event Dates