BeLoved Asheville

WHAT IS GINGERBREAD 4 GOOD? - A Fundraiser Inspired by the Historic Omni Grove Park Inn Gingerbread Competition

For more than 30 years, the National Gingerbread House Competition at the Omni Grove Park Inn in Asheville, North Carolina, has been a cherished holiday tradition. Every winter, bakers from all over the nation gather at the historic hotel to showcase their intricate, awe-inspiring gingerbread creations. This unique event has drawn crowds eager to see gingerbread houses transformed into works of art, from whimsical cottages to elaborate castles and imaginative scenes. The competition has become a hallmark of the holiday season, inspiring creativity and spreading joy to all who visit.

This year, however, the Omni Grove Park Inn made the difficult decision to pause the annual competition as resources and community efforts focus on Hurricane Helene relief in the region. Recognizing the profound impact of the storm, the Inn has redirected its holiday season to supporting recovery and rebuilding efforts for those affected in North Carolina and beyond.

Honoring Tradition, Bringing Aid

In the spirit of this beloved event, Gingerbread 4 Good was created. My aim is to bring people together in a virtual gingerbread competition to carry on the joy and creativity of the Asheville tradition, raising money through donations either to this GoFundMe or directly to charitable organizations working to help in recovery and rebuilding efforts.

HOW CAN I PARTICIPATE? - There are several ways you can join in these efforts.

1. Create a gingerbread masterpiece and submit photos of it to our website (gingerbread4good.org) no later than December 1, 2025. There are several categories you can enter - choose either Professional Adult, Amateur Adult, Kids 13 - 17 or Kids 12 and under.

2. Vote for your favorite by making a donation, either to this GoFundMe or to one of these organizations:

The American Red Cross

The Salvation Army

World Central Kitchen

The Humane Society Emergency Animal Relief Fund

Visit our website to send a copy of your receipt and receive a link for voting.

3. Share this link and post to your social media pages.

By supporting this fundraiser, either by donating or entering your own gingerbread creation, you’re not only celebrating the magic of the holidays but also participating in the giving spirit of the season. The impact of your participation reaches beyond holiday spirit – it provides hope, support, and resources for those working to rebuild their lives.

Thank you for helping me honor this tradition in a way that’s more meaningful than ever. Together, we can blend the holiday spirit with community support, turning gingerbread creations into tangible aid for those in need.

Please note: The Omni Grove Park Inn is not affiliated with this fundraiser. I am a longtime fan of their gingerbread competition and created this fundraiser as an homage to the event.

We come together for communities in need at Keller Williams Legacy Partners and this time we’re turning our efforts to help Asheville, NC. Join us for a free Photos with Santa event on 12/15 from 12-3pm at the courtyard of 29 S Main St in West Hartford. We’ll have beautifully-staged, professional, digital photos as well as kids’ crafts and cookie decorating. While the event is completely free and open to the whole community, we are welcoming, and encouraging, donations to support the rebuilding efforts of Asheville, NC.

THANK YOU!

Keller Williams Legacy Partners

West Hartford

On September 27, Hurricane Helene turned Asheville, N.C., into a post-apocalyptic landscape: fallen trees blocking streets; roads turned into creek beds; power lines down everywhere; city water lines destroyed; bridges torn apart. The region's two rivers carried whole houses downstream. The city alone has spent or committed over $21.7 million to repairs, including water distribution systems, emergency road repairs, and food for emergency workers. The city has also designated $1 million for rental assistance and $1.47 million for home repairs. The damage is expected to cause Asheville’s tourism to decline by 70% with years of repairs still ahead.

Thank you for your donation that will go directly to fund BeLoved Asheville's work rebuilding the Asheville community.

Whitney Parris Lamb and Todd Safferstone, natives of Western North Carolina, have heard from friends and family in the area that Beloved Asheville has emerged as the leader in grass roots local recovery efforts. In addition to doing incredible work across WNC to get much needed supplies, generators, dehumidifiers, etc. to those in need; they are also looking ahead as the weather turns and planning to pivot their efforts accordingly to find warm and safe housing for the displaced. During normal (non-emergency hurricane recovery) times, Beloved Asheville is focused on addressing the housing crisis in WNC, a situation that has been exacerbated by the hurricane's destruction.  BeLoved Asheville is a trusted, grassroots, and equity-focused organization.

With over 15 years of experience in movement building and advocacy for human rights, the organization’s success is credited to its ability to build relationships, create visible change, and generate community-led momentum for collective action. The impact of their work across affordable housing, health and food equity, and racial healing affirms their community-led approach to strengthen the Asheville region.

Their staff is embedded in the community and utilizes first-hand knowledge to work with the people they serve and support. They are committed to making a major difference in Western North Carolina. Food access, deeply affordable housing, racial equity, healthcare on the streets, cultural celebrations, enrichment and school supplies for Asheville's kids – whatever the community needs, whenever the need is there.

At GetFit24, we believe that strength isn’t just something we build in the gym—it’s something that comes from supporting others and coming together as a gym community. The recent hurricanes have devastated families and communities, and they need our help.

All donations from this campaign will go directly to BeLoved Asheville.

Your donation, no matter how big or small, will help provide:

Emergency shelter for those displaced by the storm

Medical supplies and essential health services for those injured or in need

Food, water, and basic necessities for those struggling to get by in the aftermath

Long-term recovery efforts to rebuild communities and homes

How You Can Help:

Donate – Every dollar counts, and together we can make a real impact on the lives of those affected by these devastating storms.

Share – Even if you’re unable to donate, sharing this fundraiser with friends, family, and on social media helps spread the word and grows our reach.

Cash donations will be accepted in person at the front desk but if you prefer to give online, you can do so directly via this page. Let’s show the strength of our gym community by pulling together and making a difference where it’s needed most.

Thank you for your generosity, compassion, and support!

The news cycles have moved on but the ongoing misery and recovery in areas affected by Hurricane Helene will continue for a long time to come. A group of musicians and music venues have been collaborating on holding fundraising concerts in Central Oregon to help support the relief effort. But we wanted a way to broaden the support base and hopefully raise even more money. So if you don't live in Sisters or Bend Oregon and can't attend one of the concerts, here is a way you can donate too!

Darin Gentry, Austin Quattlebaum and myself (Suzanne Adkins) are all roots-based musicians who live in Central Oregon. However, both Austin and Darin have strong ties to Western North Carolina. Darin is from Brevard, but lived many years in Boone and Asheville. Austin also lived for years in Asheville. Suzanne's extended family in New Orleans was heavily impacted but hurricane Katrina in 2005. All of us are passionate about wanting to help relief efforts after Helene. Its been difficult to watch from the sidelines, so we've banded together for a concentrated effort to help.

We've specifically selected BeLoved Asheville because we've heard from residents in the area that they seem to be doing the most on the ground.

100% of funds raised will go directly to BeLoved Asheville from GoFundMe. NONE of the money raised goes anywhere else!

Thank you for your support!

Darin Gentry, Bend, OR

Austin Quattlebaum, Bend, OR

Suzanne Adkins, Sisters, OR

My name is Audrey Kanapaux. I live in Astoria, OR but my hometown is Asheville, NC. After hurricane Helene ripped through Western North Carolina, I decided to start a fundraiser.

All West is a fundraising event in Western Oregon and Washington helping to rebuild Western North Carolina. All West is a community based fundraiser including restaurants, breweries, coffee shops, venues, and local stores on the North Coast. Places are donating a portion of proceeds or items for the weekend of November 15, 16, and 17, 2024 to benefit Beloved Asheville.

Friday night at The Liberty featuring the Astorya Revue. I will be present with information and items. Doors open at 5 and the show starts at 6.

Following that, Hidden Underground doors open at 7 show starts at 8 featuring poetry readings, a magic show with Seth Howard, Get Down Moses, The Something Ain't Rights, and The Horny Devils. Show is $10 and tickets are for sale at the door.

Saturday, Encore Senior Center is doing an emergency preparedness meeting. I will be in attendance and have information regarding All West. This is not an All West event, but I think it is important to highlight emergency preparedness for the North Coast after watching the geological impact Helene had on Western North Carolina.

Saturday night at Merry Time Bar and Grill starting at 8pm, The Helpers start the night off followed by The Heirloom Monsters, and ending with a DJ set from Jamadeus. This is a free show with no cover charge, but a suggested donation at the door. Merry Time is also running a drink special for All West this weekend. I will also be present with donated items.

Sunday at 5pm at Illwaco Cidery, you can hear the musical styling of Layton Elliot. I will also be present with items.

Places that are donating a portion of their proceeds for the weekend include:

Sleeper Coffee

Rusty Cup

Dead Man's Isle

Vineside Wine Bar

Broder

River Brew Coffee

Merry Time Bar and Grill

Hong Kong (bartender donating a portion of her tips)

Places that have donated items include:

Broder

Alicia C with Wild Roots

Hong Kong

Daphne

Fort George

Cleanline Surf

Short Wave

The Liberty

Chinook Coffee Company

Dead Man's Isle

Munktiki

Photos by Lena

Stinky Cheeks

And local artisans

Please check out our Facebook at All West 2024 and our Instagram at all_west2024 for items that have been donated for sale.

Thank you so much for helping Western North Carolina recover from this geological event. A geological event is a natural occurrence that changes the Earth's surface or structure and that is what happened when Helene came through.

Thank you so much for any donations. It is going to benefit an amazing non-profit who is doing so much to help Western North Carolina get back on their feet.

We have so many friends, family, and loved ones in Western North Carolina who are still trying to piece their lives back together after the devastation of Hurricane Helene, and we want to help! On Sunday, November 17th, eight Atlanta-based bands will gather for a day of music, community, and fundraising to benefit the rebuilding efforts taking place in Asheville and surrounding areas.

Donations collected online will go directly to BeLoved Asheville. Since 2009, BeLoved Asheville has been a trusted, grassroots organization and is dedicating every resource to those most affected by this disaster throughout the region.

Cash donations collected at the door of the live event will directly benefit the family of our friend, Ray Hepburn, who lost their homes in the storm.

On behalf of all the musicians who are dedicating their time and talent for this event, thank you for joining us in supporting our loved ones and communities in Western North Carolina!

Hi Oakland Office,

As you may know, Hurricane Helene and Milton have left a trail of destruction and tragedy, leaving many communities and survivors in despair throughout the southeast region of the US. Emergency response and recovery efforts are well underway, continuing to provide immediate and long-term support to those impacted. Starting this week, the CSR committee will be working to raise funds to provide relief support to the local charities in the region.

We invite the Oakland office to help in this effort as we have decided to match donations of up to $1,000, pulled directly from our corporate annual CSR budget. We will be donating directly to the BeLoved Asheville organization based in North Carolina who is providing immediate on-the-ground critical care and response to the impacted communities. Our funds will be collected through the GoFundMe website we have created, which will be open through the end of next week (October 25, 2024). If you’d like to donate, you can do so directly on this page.

In the meantime, please stay tuned for upcoming fundraising events that we are currently planning.

Thank you so much!

With <3, your CSR Committee,

(Allison, Lisa, Josh O., Kellan and Missy)