The spirit of Rock the Quarry races on

Organizers continue to raise money for local nonprofits despite cancellation of 5K

Fred McCormick
The Valley Echo
November 17, 2020

The quarry at Grove Stone & Sand was empty this September, as organizers of the annual Rock the Quarry Trail Challenge 5K and Kids Fun Run were forced to cancel the fundraiser due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Photo courtesy of Grove Stone & Sand

Each September from 2007 to 2019, hundreds of runners tested their endurance on the dusty paths and grassy trails that wind through, and up the quarry at Grove Stone and Sand. The unique and diverse terrain has undoubtedly played a role in the increased popularity of the Rock the Quarry Trail Challenge 5K and Kids Fun Run, which like most large gatherings was canceled in 2020 due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  

However, while the race itself will have to wait at least another year until it reappears for a 13th year, organizers are still working to rally the community behind the two area nonprofits it supports. 

Since 2013, Rock the Quarry has raised approximately $325,000 for Grove Stone neighbor Black Mountain Home for Children and the Asheville Museum of Science (AMOS). The 2019 event, which drew around 300 participants, generated $63,000 for its beneficiaries. 

Jon Neumann is the vice president of the Material Sales Company for Hedrick Industries, which has owned and operated the quarry since 1954. He began leading the team that organizes Rock the Quarry in 2013. By that time, the relationship between Grove Stone and the two nonprofits was well-established. 

“We have always tried to support Black Mountain Home for Children as a neighbor. They do amazing work and we care about the futures and success of the children they serve,” Neumann said. “As far as our relationship with the Asheville Museum of Science, that has existed for decades. That organization was once Colburn Earth Science Museum, and with their emphasis on earth science and us being a rock quarry, we have always believed it’s important for children to learn about geology and their environment.”

Both nonprofits have expanded in recent years with AMOS rebranding and relocating to the Wells Fargo building in downtown Asheville in 2016 and BMH expanding its services to include its West Campus, Thirteen Pennies Café, Mountain Home Thrift Store and more. This year, however, the pandemic has made fundraising difficult for organizations that rely on community support. 

“Even though we couldn’t have the race this year, we knew it was more important than ever to support these two organizations,” Neumann said. “Rock the Quarry has always been about much more than a race, it’s about these wonderful nonprofit organizations and bringing the community together. And, t-shirts.”

Approximately 300 runners participated in the Rock the Quarry Trail Challenge 5K and Kids Fun run in 2019, raising $63,000 for Black Mountain Home for Children and the Asheville Museum of Science. Photo courtesy of Grove Stone & Sand

Event organizers partnered with bonfire.com, an online apparel platform that allows users to design custom shirts using a designated logo. The “Rock 2020” shirts are available for $50 each at bonfire.com/rock-the-quarry-2020/, and all of the money raised will support BMH and AMOS. The shirts are available until Tuesday, Nov. 24. 

“We’ve already sold 45 shirts and raised $1,600 through the community,” Neumann said a week prior to the deadline. “We have a lot of people who run this race every year and have a collection of shirts from past races, so many of them have ordered these. There are also others who just want to find a way to support people doing important work at this time.”

BMH accepts children placed by the N.C. Department of Social Services, but operates independently without government oversight or management outside of applicable laws. The faith-based organization, which has operated in Black Mountain for nearly a century, serves children and families from at least 15 counties in Western North Carolina. 

Meeting the needs of its clients has required “flexibility and creativity” this year, according to director of development and community relations for BMH, Loretta Shelton. 

“Because all of our regular 2020 fundraising events were cancelled or shifted to virtual events, we are very grateful for the support of our generous ministry partners during this unusual year,” she said. “As a matter of fact, we’ve had some long-time supporters pledge $90,000 for an end-of-year, dollar-for-dollar match to encourage giving during the year-end holiday season. It’s a great opportunity for donors to double the impact of their gifts.”

The level and consistency of its neighbor’s contributions have had a significant impact on BMH, according to President Tom Campbell, but the current Rock the Quarry fundraising effort underscores Grove Stone’s commitment as a community partner. 

Grove Stone & Sand environmental specialist Jason Conner, middle, presents a check for funds raised in the 2018 Rock the Quarry Trail Challenge 5K and Kids Fun Run to Black Mountain Home for Children president Tom Campbell, left, and former BMH board chair Bruce Henderson. Photo courtesy of Black Mountain Home for Children

“It means so much to the children’s home to have business partners like Grove Stone who really take our ministry and our mission to heart. They support our kids in so many ways, through fundraising as well as behind-the-scenes,” he said. “To see them really go above and beyond like this in what’s been such a tough year—it’s incredibly humbling.”

While t-shirt sales will offer the community an opportunity to support BMH and AMOS, sponsors of Rock the Quarry have been generous in their commitment to the race’s mission, according to Neumann. 

“We have had an outpouring of support from our sponsors this year, and all of them stepped up,” he said. “We plan to make an announcement on the total amount of funds raised in mid-December, and we’ll present the checks to the nonprofits before Christmas. I think people are going to be impressed with how much our sponsors contributed, because I am.”

Campbell credits the generosity of donors for allowing the home to grow and thrive over the years. 

“While our staff are blessed to work with our at-promise children every day, we couldn’t do this work without ministry partners like Grove Stone,” he said. “Whether that support comes through in-kind gifts, financial contributions, volunteering or prayer, we’re grateful for each and every contribution. And when you have a neighbor like Grove Stone setting such an incredible example for what it means to take care of those in need it’s impossible not to feel inspired.”