We are a group of diverse and energetic young
professionals dedicated to making Buncombe County a better place to
live. By creating synergies with Buncombe County non-profit
organizations, we strive to increase awareness of, and assist in
fundraising for, deserving non-profits that share our vision of a
better Buncombe County. Through our unique combination of strengths, we
are able to provide non-profits with access to, and support from a
younger segment of the population not known for its charitable
inclinations. Our objective is to make it fun to give back to the
community, and thereby help to engender a culture of giving that will
enrich Buncombe County and its denizens for years to come. The
Asheville AFFILIATES seek to prove that helping out and having fun go
hand in hand.
History of the Asheville AFFILIATES
"It's a brilliant concept"- a term used by the Citizen Times to
describe the Asheville AFFILIATES. Conceived and founded by Honor Moor
following a fundraising stint in New York City, the Asheville
Affiliates was created to fill a void in the community. Honor felt as
though young professionals needed an outlet to participate in
fundraising and social activities. She, along with the original
Steering Committee members, Steve Gruber, Heather Goldstein, Lisa
Lavelle, Blake Butler, Chip Baggett, Rebecca Bagwell, and Caroline
Williamson, spearheaded a group geared towards raising funds for local
non-profit organizations. This group took into consideration that young
professionals could not afford to attend functions costing $100 or more
per plate. The group decided on $15 per person to generate funds for
the non-profit while proving a good time for the donors. The concept
took off with flying colors.
The first function was held in the Fall of 1999. To
everyone's surprise the attendance surpassed 200. Since that time the
events have grown in size and sophistication. Now in it's eighth year,
Asheville AFFILIATES boasts a member list of over 3,000 who are reached
through the postal service as well as a web-based newsletter. Area
non-profits have hosted more than twenty events in conjunction with the
Asheville AFFILIATES. We have raised awareness and thousands of dollars
for the Arts, the children of Buncombe County, animal rights, legal
services for the poor and the environment…just to name a few.
The Asheville AFFILIATES continues to look forward to
working with area non- profits and can only hope that History will
continue to repeat itself. The concept is reality.
