To help continue the outreach of the Eblen Charitable Group, a family of fund raising events has been developed not only to raise the funds but also to thank our supporters for all they have done throughout the year.

No organization can operate without the funds it takes to provide the assistance it offers, and the Eblen Charitable Group is not any different. The money raised through donations, events, programs, and other opportunities is used as a tool to help provide the assistance to the children, adults, and families that the Eblen Charitable Group serves.

The Brad Johnson Celebrity Golf Classic: The event that started it all. The Brad Johnson Celebrity Golf  Classic, now held each year at one of the Cliff’s Communities championship course of Walnut Cove in the spring has grown from less than 30 teams its first year to a field of 67 for this two day event. Led by NFL great Brad Johnson, Cleveland Cavalier star Brad Daugherty, Minnesota Governor Jesse Ventura, world wrestling champion Nikita Koloff, and the “voice of the Duke Blue Devils” Bob Harris, along with other local and national celebrities take part along with corporate sponsors and area golfers to help bring health and hope to children, adults, and families in western North Carolina.

The Night of the Legends Auction: Held in conjunction with the Brad Johnson Celebrity Golf Classic the Night of the Legends Auction provides a fun and exiting evening that brings the community together with the sponsors, golfers, and celebrities to bid on a wide array of silent and live items. Items include sports memorabilia, local arts and crafts, toys, services, art, and numerous other treasures. Skyland Distributing/Miller Beer, Pepsi of Asheville, Rent All Inc, Ingles Markets, The Grove Park Inn Resort and Spa, and the Clear Channel family of radio stations presents the Grove Park Inn’s Night of the Legends.

Bele Chere Souvenir Sales: Asheville brings to western North Carolina one of the southeast’s finest outdoor, downtown festivals at the end of July each year. The

Eblen Charitable Group has been fortunate to help with the festivities by providing volunteer staff to operate the three Bele Chere souvenir booths during the three-day affair. A truly great partnership, we provide more than 100 volunteers and support to the festival.

Eblen Charitable Group BOOsters: The BOOsters are happy little friendly ghosts sold throughout the month of October in area banks, restaurants, cleaners, convenience stores, and many other businesses. For only $1.00, anyone can purchase a BOOster, place his or her name or business card on it and have it displayed. This is a great way to decorate area businesses for the holiday while providing fun, friendly competition, and funds to help continue the outreach of the Eblen Charities.

Eblen Charitable Group Pumpkin Sales: Much like the BOOster sales, these bright paper pumpkins are sold for $1.00 during the month of October in area schools and Ingles Markets. This program sponsored by Outback Steakhouse, Ingle’s Markets, Pepsi, and Clear Channel radio stations benefits the programs of the Eblen Charities  and helps provide a community program to the area schools with the premise of children helping children. Schools also have the opportunity to win prizes and equipment for their school. The school with the most over all sales is awarded the Frank Lewis Memorial Award, named in memory of our long time friend and Buncombe County educator, Frank Lewis.

The Eblen Heroes for Hope 10 K Walk: So many of the events that the Eblen Charities do revolves around a certain theme or group such as golfers, soccer players, motorcycle riders, and others. In search for an event that any and all folks could participate, the Heroes for Hope 10 K Walk was created. Beginning years ago as the Cystic Fibrosis walk, the local Cystic Fibrosis support group brought the walk to the Eblen Charitable Group to help support the Dana Luther Jarrett Cystic Fibrosis Outreach and related programs.

Thanks to the Pepsi of Asheville, Harrison Publishing, Groves Printing, Asheville Parks and Recreation Department, Mission Hospitals, and all the wonderful walkers and their sponsors the Eblen Heroes for Hope 10 K Walk has brought help to those struggling with Cystic Fibrosis and other diseases and disabilities.The Bonefish Grill / Harvest Fest Wine Tasting: Created by the Skyland Distributing Company, this evening of food, entertainment, and fine wine is held every fall in conjunction with the unveiling of the fall wines from numerous vineyards and vendors.

Also showcased that evening is the wide variety of food from one of Asheville’s finest restaurants, the Bonefish Grill, which offers the Eblen Charities supporters an evening that is unparalleled. All vendor fees, ticket sales, and silent auction proceeds are donated to the programs of the Eblen Charitable Group.

Harvest Fest is the signature event of Skyland Distributing, who has for many years supported the work of the Eblen Charities through its sponsorship of the Celebrity Golf Classic, the Night of the Legends Auction, and the formation of the

Patrick Sizemore Children’s Outreach.

The Brad Daugherty Fall Golf Invitational: Founded by Cleveland Cavaliers and

UNC Tarheel basketball star Brad Daugherty, the Fall Golf Invitational brings top local amateur golfers, local pros, along with area teams to compete at the Cliffs at Walnut Cove.

As Honorary Chairman of the Eblen Center for Social Enterprise, Brad brings the Brad Daugherty Fall Golf Invitational to the mountains each October as the leading fundraiser for the center not only for the dollars he raises, but also for awareness of the work of the Eblen Charitable Group and the tens of thousands of families we serve.

The Great Turkey Give Away: Also created by Cleveland Cavaliers and UNC Tarheel basketball star and NASCAR analyst Brad Daugherty, the Great Turkey Give-Away provides hundreds of turkeys to those who may be without Thanksgiving dinner Distributed to the families that Eblen Charities serve

Thanks to Brad, hundreds of families can enjoy the holidays without the concern of having a meal they all can share. He has truly have made the Thanksgiving holiday something for which we all can be thankful.