Eblen Charities: Eblen Partnerships

If one things is evident in the work of the Eblen Charities is that it cannot stand alone. The many partnerships and strategic alliances that the Eblen Charities have been fortunate in helping to develop have served the community far beyond what the Eblen Charities could have done without working side by side with these wonderful companies, agencies and organizations.

Eblen Partnerships

The Buncombe County Drug Treatment Court: Founded in 2000 by Superior Court Judge Ronald Payne to offer a more intensive and personal approach of offenders with drug and alcohol addictions, this innovative program serves as many as 45 participants each year. This approach treats the addiction as well as the offence that offers a more comprehensive way to work with individuals and to save community resources. The Eblen Charities provides the fiscal management for the program.
The Wilsonart Employee Emergency Assistance Program: In accordance with its commitment to their most valuable resource, their employees, Wilsonart International has extended it's outreach to a level that few companies have attempted to reach. This unique partnership provides the employees of the Fletcher, NC plant additional emergency assistance beyond the traditional benefits offered by Wilsonart. Funded entirely by the gifts of the employees and matching funds from the company, this partnership opens it's doors to Wilsonart employees in need of assistance due to loss of work because of illness or other family emergencies.
The Arvin / Meritor Eblen Employee Assistance Program: Much like its Wilsonart counterpart, the Arvin / Meritor Employee Assistance Program, offers additional assistance to their employees that extends beyond customary employee benefits. Developed by human resources manager, John Hock, this program will help assist Arvin / Meritor employees who find that they are in financial need due to emergencies that may arise through no fault of their own. Supported entirely by contributions from the employees through their United Way giving, this partnership will bring specific relief to Arvin / Meritor's most important asset, their employees.
Saint Nicholas Project/Christmas for Kids: Together with Asheville's Optimist Club's Santa Pal, KISS-FM and Toys for Tots, the Sunrise Kiwanis Club, Asheville Parks and Recreation Department, Wilsonart International, and many other businesses and individuals, the Saint Nicholas Project/Christmas for Kids provides Christmas gifts, clothes, food and other items to the children and families that the Eblen Charities work with throughout the year.
Duke University/Eblen Charities Educational Partnership: Beginning as an outgrowth of the Duke University Continuing Education Program and expanding across the state with more than 6,000 students. Led by Don Wells, this fifty-hour certificate program provides a wide range of courses tailored to directors, staff and volunteers of nonprofit organizations as well as a Leadership Institute. As of October 2001 the Eblen Charities coordinates the 28 western counties for the Duke Program. Coordination includes site development and the coordination of instructors and classes. Done on a contract basis, this partnership not only provides revenue for the Eblen Charities but the opportunity to exchange ideas with other organizations statewide.
Henry Lasher Mountain Chapter PGA Golf Scholarship: Named in honor of area PGA Chairman, Henry Lasher, Sr. , scholarship provides the opportunity for a young man or woman employed at a PGA member golf course to attend college. The $1,200 scholarship is awarded in June of each year. The Eblen Charities acts as the scholarship's fiscal agent and is honored to part of the PGA community and the award named after one of our area's finest citizens.
The Steelcase-Eblen Employee Assistance Program: In order to reach out to its employees in need, Steelcase, Inc. the nation's leading office furniture manufacturer has brought its resources together to provide the Steelcase employees with emergency assistance that transcends typical corporate benefits. As with Eblen's other employee assistance partnerships, the Steelcase Employee Assistance Program is funded by a percentage of the plant's total United Way donations that are designated to the program. By using this method of assistance, employees are ensured total confidentiality as Steelcase and Eblen work in tandem to offer help to their employees in need.
The Western North Carolina Health and Wellness Consortium:: Founded in 2001, by Olson Huff, former director of the Ruth and Billy Graham Health Children's Health Center and executive director Shelly Mueller Pew, to serve as the catalyst of programs and policies that promote healthy life styles in western North Carolina. Through this regional collaboration, the consortium endeavors to reduce healthcare costs by preventative measures through education and connecting available services with those in need.; The Western North Carolina Health and Wellness Consortium annually holds health forums at the Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College attended by community leaders and health care professionals to discuss health related issues and implement action to address community health needs.; The strategic partnership between the Eblen Charities and the Consortium enables both organizations to fulfill their missions by utilizing their respective strengths to better reach the citizens of western North Carolina and lessen their need of medical care through prevention.
The Chapel in the Woods (Margaret's Chapel):: Margaret Elliston has been a long time spiritual poet and has given countless readings and compliments her friends with not only her voice but her calligraphy as well.; Margaret's Chapel, another joint venture with the Cliffs Communities to provide a place of solace and contemplation in the beautiful setting of the western North Carolina mountains.; Spawned from the vision of MB and Margaret Elliston to provide a spiritual side for every community they have lived, the Ellistons along with their sons, Bruce, Leon, and Roger, have graciously donated the land for the chapel and provided the funding for the development. Bruce supplies the leadership behind the creativity and design of the spiritual and meditation retreat.; Also supported by Jim Anthony, who's dream was to include a place for quiet contemplation amidst the beauty of the Cliffs Community at Walnut Cove, by laying out the site and bringing all aspects of this project to completion.; The Eblen Charities is honored to be partners with the Elliston family and the Cliffs Communities in offering a place of comfort to the community.
Strands for Stars: Founded by Judy ________, a professional hair and makeup artist for the film industry, Strands for Stars brings together a caring group of hair and makeup artists to create fashionable and comfortable hair prosthetics for children and adults experiencing hair loss due to the effects of cancer treatment.; The Eblen Charities is honored to have Strands for Stars as part of the Eblen Partnerships family and along with them acknowledge the courage and strength demonstrated by those we serve - the true stars.