With sincere appreciation and gratitude for all the many ways in which you have supported us in the past, I come to you again this beautiful fall morning to request your financial contribution for our charitable work. Whether you have supported us through a monetary contribution for our educational programs, a visit to our Museum and Heritage Center, a purchase on our website or in our gift shop here at Foxfire, or with a gift of time through your volunteerism, I appreciate each and every manner in which you have supported Foxfire!

This year has been both a challenging and rewarding one: We weathered ice storms in the winter and a tornado in the spring, creating power outages, downed trees, and hazardous roads and, thus, closure for over a month that lowered our in-house revenues from museum admissions and on-site sales—your generosity through monetary contributions in late 2010 and early 2011, and to our Museum Circle of Friends in the spring, helped us to survive those difficult times in a harsh economy.

As a result of that wonderful support, we were able to continue providing numerous educational programs for learners of all ages, impacting students in our local schools, as well as from around the area. How did you help? Just look at a few of our many accomplishments through October, some of which you recently read about in Foxfire News, that were supported in part by you:

• Released Singin’, Praisin’, Raisin’, our 45th Anniversary book, with an accompanying CD, “Echoes”, and complementary bookmarks;
• Produced a line of other anniversary products, including pottery, logo items, note cards and a 2012 calendar designed by Piedmont College photography and graphics arts students, and others;
• Published two issues of The Foxfire Magazine, including the 45th Anniversary issue;
• Conducted 25 guided, educational tours at the Museum and Heritage Center for 584 visitors, giving them an appreciation and understanding of the Appalachian culture;
• Provided off-site heritage programs to over 500 area school children, sharing with them traditional toys and games, woodworking, blacksmithing, and other arts;
• Conducted 5 Children’s Heritage Days events, and one family-oriented Heritage Day, featuring weaving, candle-dipping, butter churning, blacksmithing, bark berry bucket making, and more;
• Hosted Living History Days, two consecutive days sharing 1800s Appalachian history, culture, and traditions with over 800 visitors;
• Awarded $25,000 in college scholarships to 12 local Rabun County students;
• Conducted our annual fund-raising festival, drawing in almost 5,000 visitors to share a bit of traditional Appalachia with us (see www.foxfiremountaineer.org);
• Trained over 250 teachers in the Foxfire Approach to Teaching and Learning through our partnerships with Piedmont College and the University of Georgia.
  
  

We do continue “making a difference every day”! A note I received in May from Foxfire student and graduating senior Shanda Speed after awards night at Rabun County High affirmed that we do impact our students’ lives more than we know:

“I was so very blessed to receive a few scholarships last night, but it goes without saying that Foxfire was the most important to me! Foxfire has not only taught me how to preserve my heritage, but to love our outstanding Appalachia Community for who we really are. The Foxfire program has taught me life lessons I will never forget! Thank you, Ann, for all you have done the past four years [of my high school career]! It has been a real pleasure getting to know you, the staff, and the Board members. I will miss every one of you dearly, but know that I will be back to visit as often as possible. I love each and every one of you guys! You are all truly a blessing and have made a great impact on my life in numerous ways. Thank you for making my college dream come true! God Bless!” Love, Shanda

We also impact adult lives, as well. Here’s a letter from a participant who did open-hearth cooking for us this year at Living History Days:

“My experience cooking at the hearth of the Savannah Cabin for your Living History Days has filled my heart and mind with wonderment. My love affair with Foxfire began in 1972 when the first book debuted. Aunt Arie captivated me. [The Foxfire Book] has been used to the extent that it is now bound with duct tape and rubber bands as it sets on my shelf. Many times I have thought about cooking at Foxfire, but never thought it would happen for me. It was like Christmas morning and finding the best gift under the tree—Foxfire. The other experience that really caught my heart was the amazing people I met. We laughed, talked, and hugged...It was my privilege to speak with young adults, folks my age, and those my senior that are as much endeared to the old ways as I am, and the stories some shared about how Foxfire has touched their lives brought joy and sometimes tears. Ann, you, the Board, and staff have accomplished an amazing work at the Museum. Thank you for inviting me to come for this event. Everyone was so kind and helpful. Thank you for the lunch that was provided and for supper on Friday night and for providing a warm comfortable place to rest. It was a beautiful weekend. Everyone should be very proud.” Kindest regards, Mary Bohlen

During these difficult economic times, small nonprofits like ours are struggling, too, so I humbly ask that you contribute to Foxfire this year-end, to the best of your ability within your available resources. In return, we’ll use those resources, to the best of our ability, to continue making a difference here at Foxfire!