Hand in Hand presents check to six local schools

Nonprofit organization announces fundraiser for Owen district

The Valley Echo
March 16, 2022

Hand in Hand of the Swannanoa Valley Treasurer Eric Nichols, center, presents a check to Buncombe County Community High School counselor Jon West and W.D. Williams Elementary counselor Kelli Pritchard. The funds, which were donated Feb. 28, will be divided between the six schools in the Owen district. Photo courtesy of Hand in Hand

A successful education requires proper tools, and a Feb. 28 donation from a local nonprofit organization to the six schools in the Owen district will help ensure students are equipped. 

Hand in Hand of the Swannanoa Valley, a faith-based organization that works with area churches and businesses to support the needs of local children and teachers, presented a check for $8,100 to counselors representing W.D. Williams Elementary and Community High School. The funds, which were given to Kelli Pritchard and Jon West by Hand in Hand treasurer Eric Nichols, will be split between Black Mountain Primary, Black Mountain Elementary, W.D. Williams Elementary, Owen Middle, Community High and Owen High Schools.

Money raised by Hand in Hand helps Swannanoa Valley students fully participate in school.  While other organizations work to help children with various needs, Hand in Hand focuses on filling potential gaps. 

During the 2020-21 school year, when much of the focus was on virtual learning, children were required to use computers at home. Hand in Hand offered funding for items such as sleeves, power cords, chargers and earbuds, which quickly emerged as priorities, while bleach wipes and hand sanitizer were also in high demand. 

Hand in Hand, which is fully funded by donations from the community, usually hosts multiple fundraisers, including lunches, school supply drives and turkey sales each year. 

The nonprofit will hold its first lunch fundraiser in two years, from 11 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., Friday, April 1, at Grove Stone Baptist Church. The chicken and dumpling meals are $10 per person, and the money raised will support students in the Owen district. 

Customers can eat in the dining room, order lunch to-go and free delivery will be offered for businesses that purchase five or more lunches. To pre-order meals for delivery, call 828-775-5602.