High Country United Way

09/04/2026

In September, we’re proud to spotlight Tina Houston, Chair of the High Country United Way Board of Directors and a dedicated Board Member for over six years.

Long before stepping into the role of Board Chair, Tina played an important leadership role as Chair of our Budget and Allocations Committee. Her deep knowledge of the High Country, strong community connections, and understanding of the nonprofit organizations that serve our region have made her an invaluable voice around our board table. Tina brings thoughtful questions, practical insight, and a genuine commitment to making sure our community’s resources are invested where they can make a difference.

Tina is also a longtime restaurant entrepreneur. She founded Reid’s Cafe & Catering in 1999 and has continued to build an impressive presence in the High Country’s culinary community. In addition to Reid’s, Tina is the owner of The Beacon, Betty’s Biscuits, and Pearl’s Kitchen. Her work and restaurants have earned her recognition well beyond the High Country, including a nomination from the James Beard Foundation. Tina is active with multiple chambers throughout the High Country and continues to invest her time, experience, and leadership in the community she calls home.

We’re incredibly proud of Tina, all that she has accomplished, and especially grateful for the leadership and heart she brings to High Country United Way.

08/17/2026

Earlier this month, High Country United Way had the honor of hosting the North Carolina Governor’s Awards Recognition Ceremony during the Avery County Commissioners Meeting. We were proud to recognize volunteers from the Appalachia Service Project (ASP) with this prestigious award in recognition of their hard work and dedication to our community. We are incredibly grateful for everything ASP has done to help improve the lives of our community members, and we cannot wait to see what they continue to accomplish!

If you would like to learn more about the Appalachia Service Project (ASP), their mission, and their work, please visit their website: https://asphome.org/

Pictured in Slide 1, from Left to Right:

Back Row: Avery County Commissioners Robert Burleson, Tim Phillips, and Dennis Aldridge

Front Row: Tammy Woodie (Executive Director, Avery LTRG)
Robin Ollis (Bridges for Avery, High Country United Way Board Member)
Rebecca Hall (Executive Director, High Country United Way)
Samantha Humphrey (ASP Staff Member)
Tyler Rhodes (ASP Staff Member)
Alyssa Walawender (ASP Staff Member)
Liz McNutt (ASP Staff Member)
Dave Kelley (ASP Staff Member)
Meg Robertson (ASP Board Member)

08/13/2026

🏠🚧 Renew NC Housing Recovery Update

Renew NC is proud to be part of western North Carolina’s post-Helene housing recovery. More than 100 projects have been completed, 100+ are currently under construction, 500+ projects in pre-construction, and 500+ are in award determination.

Want to learn more? Visit the commercerecovery.nc.gov website.

- Learn more about the application stages for the Single-Family Housing Program: ow.ly/OX0f50ZuCej

- Learn more about application phases and assigned priorities, how applications are processed, and view AMI (Area Median Income) county tables: ow.ly/cMvV50ZuCem

Renew NC is North Carolina’s long-term disaster recovery effort, committed to rebuilding impacted communities stronger and making them more resilient to future storms.

The Renew NC Single-Family Housing Program is a centralized housing rehabilitation, reconstruction, replacement, or reimbursement program serving eligible homeowners impacted by Hurricane Helene in 28 western North Carolina counties and ZIP code 28214 in Mecklenburg County. The program prioritizes low-to-moderate income households with seniors age 62 and older, children under 18, and/or household members with disabilities.

07/29/2026

Avery County!

This is for you! ♥️

We will see you this Thursday at Avery County High School at the Avery Back To School Bash! 📚

Send a message to learn more

07/22/2026

Have you heard of ALICE?

ALICE stands for Asset Limited, Income Constrained, Employed and ALICE households are all around us in the High Country.

They are teachers, child care providers, food service workers, personal care aides, cashiers, servers, retail managers and so many others who keep our communities going every single day. They’re working, earning and contributing, but still struggling to afford the basics like housing, child care, transportation, food and health care.

Want to learn more about who ALICE is and what the data tells us about working families across North Carolina?

Join tomorrow’s ALICE webinar, July 23 at 3:00 p.m.

Register at UnitedWayNC.org.

The 2026 State of ALICE report has been released and we are hosting our launch Thursday 7/23 from 3:00-4:00 PM ET. Register at UnitedWayNC.org and learn about the 41% of North Carolinians who work hard to fuel our economy but don't make enough money to afford basic life needs.

06/30/2026

🎉 Please join us in welcoming Grace Greene to the High Country United Way team! 💙

Grace joined High Country United Way on June 15 as our part-time Community Engagement Coordinator, and she’s already hit the ground running!

A lifelong western Watauga County resident and Watauga High School graduate, Grace recently earned her Bachelor’s degree in Communications from Appalachian State University and is currently pursuing her graduate degree.

Before officially joining our team, Grace impressed us through her senior capstone project by helping coordinate the Riverside Raffle for High Country United Way and the Watauga Long-Term Recovery Group. Her creativity, professionalism, and passion for serving our community made a lasting impression.

As a small team, every person makes a difference, and it didn’t take long for us to realize Grace was the missing piece. We’re excited for all she’ll bring to High Country United Way and to the communities we serve.

Welcome to the team, Grace! We’re so glad you’re here. 💙

06/19/2026

High Country United Way will be closed on Friday, June 19, in observance of Juneteenth.

Juneteenth commemorates the end of slavery in the United States and serves as a time to reflect on our shared history, honor freedom, and reaffirm our commitment to equity, opportunity, and community for all.

We will resume normal business hours on Monday, June 22.

05/25/2026

High Country United Way offices will be observing Memorial Day on Monday, May 25th. We will return Tuesday, May 26th.

05/14/2026

04/21/2026

FUNdraiser ALERT!

High Country United Way invites you to join us alongside the Watauga Long-Term Recovery Group for the Riverside Raffle 🎟️

Come out for a fun-filled afternoon supporting our communities on Saturday, April 25th from 12–5 PM at Grandfather Winery.

🎟️ Raffle tickets: $5
🤝 Supporting local recovery efforts across Watauga county.

We’d love to see you there—bring a friend and enjoy a great day for a great cause!

Here’s a great way to support the Watauga LTRG and enjoy all that the High Country has to offer thanks to our friends at App State Communications Studies Program!