The 65 communities participating in this year’s program made a $6 million investment of time, talent, money and effort in Western North Carolina communities. Their fundraising efforts brought in $950,000 with more than 5,5000 volunteers investing an impressive 195,500 hours of their time in outreach programs dedicated to conservation, education, beautification, health, wellness, and economic development.

The Fines Creek Community Association, the Pigeon Multicultural Development Center, and the Bethel Rural Community Organization were all recognized as Communities of Distinction, the highest honor awarded, and they each received a cash award of $2,000. These communities were chosen because of their overall ability of working together to assess, develop, and implement strategies to address community issues, as well as having numerous, diverse programs to benefit community members.

Communities of Promise receive a cash award of $1,000 and are chosen because of the initiatives implemented by the community that show promise and can be replicated around the region. The Beaverdam Community Development Association received this recognition.

Engaged Communities receive a cash award of $500 and are involved in numerous programs impacting their residents. The North Hominy Community Center received this honor.

The Pigeon Multicultural Development Center received the Calico Cat award for their significant volunteer efforts toward the improvement and upkeep of their existing community center over the past year. Additionally, BRCO received the President’s Award for 25 years of participating in the WNC Honors Awards.