Downtown Asheville businesses raise $8,000 for nonprofits over holidays

Jason Sandford

Jason Sandford is a reporter, writer, blogger and photographer interested in all things Asheville.

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Here’s the press release. A big thank you to everyone who participated in the 12 Days of Giving last year; to everyone who came out and spent money with the downtown Asheville businesses that participated; to all 33 of the local businesses that took part; to Blake and Jill of Adapt Public Relations who organized the undertaking; and to the three local nonprofits that work hard all year long to care for folks in need.

Here’s the press release:

12 Days of Giving is pleased to announce it raised $8,000 for three local non-profits that help feed, clothe and shelter the homeless: Haywood Street Congregation, ABCCM, and Western Carolina Rescue Ministries. In its second year, the program expanded significantly to now include 33 participating downtown businesses.

“This has been an incredibly rewarding experience for all of us,” said Blake Butler of Adapt. “It’s another example of the impact the business community can have when we join together to make a difference in people’s lives.”

In December 2013, seven downtown Asheville businesses joined together to create 12 Days of Giving. The seven founding businesses include Creperie Bouchon, Cúrate, Wicked Weed, Adapt, 5 Walnut, Izzy’s Coffee, and Scully’s.

Each business selected one item as their “12 Days item”, and every time it was purchased between Dec. 18 and Dec. 31, 10 percent of the proceeds were donated directly to the three downtown organizations. This year items ranged from sunglasses at Hip Replacements to the “Seek Shelter” hot cider cocktail at Storm Rhum Bar & Bistro.

With such positive momentum, 12 Days of Giving will expand in 2015 to include more participating businesses.

“It feels good to give back,” said Peter Slamp of Zambra and King James Public House. “We hope people will remember to support these organizations year round.”