Greetings friends of Eblen!
Look for our BOOsters results in the next newsletter!
And just like that - the Holiday Season is upon us with all the Turkeys, Toys and Fixins'.

Please feel free to forward us to your family and friends, and we thank you for all that you do with Eblen Charities! 
This Week at Eblen
Gearing up for the
39th Annual
Smoky Mountain Toy Run!
Saturday, November 2, 2019

Parade starts at 1pm
Watch along the route!
US 70 to Tunnel Rd through the tunnel to City Council Plaza
Read story below..

Thank you Veritas Christian Academy!

Twenty four fourth graders from Veritas Christian Academy came to Eblen Charities for their annual Salt and Light Service Day, this past October 11 th  to put wraps on more than 300 boxes, donated by Two Men and A Truck, for the Saint Nicholas Project. The Ingles Toy Boxes are distributed around the community, and are located in local Ingles Markets and in the Asheville City and Buncombe County Schools to collect toys for the Eblen Charities Saint Nicholas Project.
Turkey Time!
This year on Wednesday, November 27 th , Eblen Charities with the support of Ingles Markets, Duke Energy and the Health Shuler Foundation will provide 1200 Thanksgiving meals. Vouchers are given at the Eblen Charities office on a first come first serve basis. If you know of anyone in need of assistance with Thanksgiving, please have them stop by Eblen Charities to pre-register for the meal. If you would like to assist us with providing food, not just at Thanksgiving, but throughout the year, you can make a donation at eblencharities.org or mail a check to the Eblen Charities office at 50 Westgate Parkway, Asheville, NC 28806.

Eblen Charities Coat Drive Giveaway!
We gave away more than 5,000 coats!
Thank you to everyone who contributed!

Read the whole story below..
Chick-fil-A
Merrimon
Something Moo This Year!
Chick-fil-A Merrimon has been supporting Eblen Charities through numerous events over the years, but this year they are doing something brand new! During the months of October and November, Chick-fil-A patrons can add $1 to their meal and provide local families with food, warmth, or even a toy this Holiday Season! 
 
“Chick-Fil-A Merrimon Avenue has been a sponsor for Eblen Charities for several years. We value Eblen Charities and the work that they do with our community. Chick-Fil-A’s main purpose is to be the most caring company in the world. We partner with Eblen because they value the same purpose. We look forward to our continued partnership with Eblen at Chick-Fil-A West Asheville!”  
- Operator Nick Leatherwood
 
Thanks for the support of Chick-fil-A Merrimon and for each person who has contributed to our COW-MOO-NITY through this campaign!


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Upcoming Events

39th Annual Smoky Mountain Toy Run
Mark Your Calendars for Saturday, November 2nd!


Chick-fil-A on Merrimon Ave.
Stop by anytime in October and November and you can donate at the register
Featured: This Week at Eblen
Gearing up for the 39th Annual Smoky Mountain Toy Run!

It was December 19, 1981, 12 bikes and about 30 people met at the Executive Club on US Hwy 70 in Swannanoa for the first Toy Run. The weather was a balmy 20 degrees as this hardy group of elves packed up and headed to Santa Pal Headquarters bearing gifts and money. This small band of Toy Run pioneers operated each succeeding year under the rallying cry, "For Americans Who Need - From Americans Who Care." Ideas flowed and every year the Toy Run grew in participation. The original name of the Toy Run was; “Toys for Tots Motorcycle Run” and like today, was solely operated by volunteers.

The 1982 Toy Run had 85 motorcycles and 100 riders. It rained in 1983, but even in the rain, 55 motorcycles participated with almost 100 riders and passengers. People lined Hwy 70 to witness the parade. A tradition that remains to this day. Local newspapers wrote stories about these leather clad elves, and television stations showed bikers having a positive impact in our community. More importantly these bikers experienced the joy of knowing that for one day in the year they set aside their differences and joined together for a common cause which brought joy and happiness for needy children throughout Buncombe County. It didn't matter what brand of motorcycle you rode, or what group you were affiliated with, only that you cared enough to participate and give.

For the first 15 years the Toy Run operated through a loose knit group of volunteers, all with the same mission in mind, “FOR THE KIDS.” In 1996 the Smoky Mountain Chapter of the Harley Owners Group made the commitment to become a primary sponsor and to begin the daunting task of helping organize, plan and implement the former Toys for Tots Motorcycle Parade. Together, the Toy Run founders, Gene Lummus and the Smoky Mountain HOG Chapter presided over some of the largest Toy Run’s Buncombe County ever witnessed.

Through the years the name of the Toy Run has evolved from the original name to the present; “Smoky Mountain Toy Run”. Today the Toy Run operates under a corporate charter and all proceeds benefit Eblen Charities Saint Nicholas Project.

The Smoky Mountain Hog Chapter Bike Build Team assembled, tested and cleaned 200 plus bicycles for the Smoky Mountain Toy Run
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Coat Distribution at Eblen Charities
 
Temperatures will start to dip this weekend and thanks to all the wonderful volunteers who worked the past four days at the Eblen Charities Coat Distribution, thousands of people have coats, blankets and warm weather gear to stay warm this winter.

Thanks again to all who donated at the WLOS Spring Clean Coat Drive, and for all the donations received from our community at the Eblen Charities office. We gave away more than 5,000 coats and thousands of other items, including blankets, socks, hats, gloves, sweaters, pants, shoes, and more. 
Remember us for your coats when you do your spring cleaning!
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Eblen Charities Crisis Intervention Program Expands
 
Cooler Temperatures mean expanded eligibility-
 
With the cooler temps arriving in the area, the BCHHS Crisis Intervention Program (CIP) at Eblen Charities has expanded eligibility.
The forecasted nighttime freezing temperatures mean that if a Buncombe County household is in danger of being without heat due to an electric or natural gas disconnection, funding is available to prevent the cut-off. Assistance is available 4 calendar days prior to the disconnect date.
Funding is also available for heating oil, kerosene and propane deliveries if the household is in danger of not having fuel.
Eblen Charities is located at 50 Westgate Parkway and is open Monday through Friday 8-5.
“Buncombe County Health and Human Services greatly appreciates our partnership with Eblen Charities through our Crisis Intervention Program. We are working together to assure that the citizens of Buncombe County applying for Crisis Intervention Program services receive the heating assistance they need.” states Phillip Hardin Buncombe County Economic Services Director.
 
In order to assist our Buncombe County families effectively please be prepared and bring-
·          Documentation of all income in the home (State Requirement)
·          Picture ID
·          Social Security numbers for all household members
·          Copy of the Power/Gas bill
 
For more information please email  sriddle@eblencharities.org

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Contact Us
Mary Ann McMinn
mcminn120@gmail.com to volunteer.
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