Santa Brought Christmas to HCC Families – High Country Caregivers

Santa Claus and his elves visited High Country Caregivers this year to provide Christmas gifts to nearly 150 children who are being raised by grandparents and other family members. This was made possible with help from individuals, community partners and private industries.

Ben Kaufman volunteered to help pass out turkeys and Angel tree gifts on Dec. 9. Here he is seen giving gifts to HCC grandmother, Barbara Millsaps.

Jacob Willis, Executive Director of HCC, was thrilled with the results of the gift drive. “I cannot believe how much we received from the community,” he said. “Without their support, we simply could not have provided the gifts to our kids.”

Volunteers spent hours at the High Country Caregivers’ office sorting and packaging gifts for each angel beginning at the end of November. From left, Caroline Johnson works on sorting bags into county piles while on right, Pana Columbus speaks with another volunteer about what to do next.

The annual Angel Tree drive was supported by countless private individuals, as well as community and corporate sponsors including:

Echota Realty,
The Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce,
Jill Preyer,
Planet Tan,
Munday Electric,
Quality Electric, and
Spangler Restoration

Thanks to their generosity, HCC provided toys, clothing, games and so much more to 148 children in Ashe, Avery, Mitchell, Watauga, Wilkes and Yancy Counties.

Watauga Opportunities provided 150 gift baskets. The Watauga County Bar Association in partnership with Carolina Mountain Title held a toy drive for HCC, bringing in more than 100 toys.

The Health and Hunger Coalition volunteered their refrigerated van and manpower to help High Country Caregivers hand out Angel Tree Gifts on Dec. 9. Seen from left to right, Elizabeth Young, Executive Director of Health and Hunger Coalition; Ben Loomis, Grants and Programs Manager at Health and Hunger Coalition; Jacob Willis, Executive Director of High Country Caregivers; Pana Columbus, Director of Community Relations; Ben Kaufman, from Spangler Restoration.

Filled stockings were provided by Disabled American Veterans Chapter 90 and Motherboard. The Kennedy-Herterich Foundation and the Hunger and Health Coalition provided turkeys for HCC families.
“We are simply in awe of what our community partners and donors have provided,” said Willis. “Thank you so much for helping our families this Christmas.”

This season of giving was topped off with a festive Christmas party and meal on December 17th. Every family in attendance received a gift certificate to a local restaurant thanks to the generous support of HCC Donors. Holiday photos were taken by Ashley Warren.