If one thing is evident in the work of the Eblen-Kimmel Charities, it is that it cannot stand alone. The many partnerships and strategic alliances that we have been fortunate in helping to develop have served the community far beyond what the Eblen-Kimmel Charities could have done without working side by side with these wonderful companies, agencies, and organizations. Our partnerships include:
The
The Eblen-Kimmel Charities provides the fiscal management for the program. The
The Wilsonart Employee Emergency Assistance Program: In accordance with its commitment to their most valuable resource, their employees, Wilsonart International has extended its outreach to a level that few companies have attempted to reach. Developed by Fletcher, N.C., Plant Manager, Tim Gwennap, this unique partnership provides the employees of that plant additional emergency assistance beyond the traditional benefits offered by Wilson Art.
Funded entirely by the gifts of the employees and matching funds from the company, this partnership opens its doors to Wilson Art employees in need of assistance due to loss of work because of illness or other family emergencies. By lending a hand in this manner, assistance can be given more equitably, quickly, and without a loss of production time.
Saint Nicholas Project: Together with Asheville’s Optimist Club’s Santa Pal, KISS-FM, Toys for Tots, the Sunrise Kiwanis Club, Asheville Parks and Recreation Department, Wilson Art International, and many other businesses and individuals, the Saint Nicholas Project provides Christmas gifts, clothes, food, and other items to the children and families that the Eblen-Kimmel Charities works with throughout the year.
Relying on the expertise and generosity of Asheville’s oldest children’s Christmas Assistance program, Santa Pal (founded in 1936), and help from Toys for Tots along with the generous sponsorship of businesses and individuals, hundreds of families have had their Christmas a bit brighter and gained hope for the coming year.
Lasher Family Scholarship: Named in honor of area PGA Chairman, Henry Lasher, Sr., this 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-Kimmel Charities acts as the scholarship’s fiscal agent and is honored to be part of the PGA community and the award named after one of our area’s finest citizens.
The Arvin / Meritor Employee Assistance Program: Much like its Wilson Art counterpart, the Arvin / Meritor Employee Assistance Program offers additional assistance to their employees that extend beyond customary employee benefits. This program assists 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
The Printpack Associate Assistance Fund: This partnership is made possible by the benevolence of the Printpack associates desiring to assist one another in times of need. Funded entirely by Printpack’s employees, the Associate Assistance Fund reaches out to those employed by Printpack to address emergency needs that are not met by traditional employee benefits and provides a safety net when all other resources for assistance have been exhausted.
The Biltmore Company Employee Emergency Outreach: In effort to continue the ongoing commitment to supporting Biltmore family members in times of need, the Biltmore Estate has established a partnership with the Eblen-Kimmel Charities in their employee emergency outreach program.
Created by Dini Pickering, Ann Ashley, Vicki Banks, and others from the Biltmore Estate, this unique partnership is funded by the Biltmore Estate and is designed to assist their employees, retirees, and household members when a crisis occurs and needs go beyond the company’s benefits and the employee’s financial means.
The Baldor Employee Assistance Outreach Program: Developed by Mark Early of Baldor, Incorporated to provide a larger opportunity for assistance for their employees when the need arises, the Baldor Employee Assistance Outreach Program offers aid to all employees of the Weaverville Plant of Baldor.
Funded by the company and its employees, this partnership provides emergency assistance that reaches beyond traditional benefits originally established by the Baldor. It is an ongoing tribute to the asset that the Baldor values most, their associates.
The Cliffs Communities Employee Outreach: Founded by area businessman and Cliffs Communities developer, Jim Anthony, the Cliffs Communities Employee Outreach offers emergency assistance to the employees of the Cliffs Communities and their immediate families when facing urgent financial situations due to crises that may arise.
Funded by the Cliffs Communities annual membership golf card sale, this programs adds to the traditional benefits that the company already provides for their employees and serves as a landmark to the dedication the Cliffs Communities has to those in their employ.
The Grove Park Inn Legacy Fund: Created by the historic Grove Park Inn’s president and CEO, Craig Madison to provide emergency assistance to their more than 600 employees who find themselves in times of need due to unexpected illness, or emergencies.
Through the Legacy Fund, employees of the Grove Park Inn and Spa are able to borrow up to $300 with no interest to help them with unexpected financial emergencies. The employees have up to six months to repay the loan so they don’t have to endure additional financial strain. The Legacy Fund is completely funded by the generosity of the Grove Park Inn and donations from their employees.
The Kimmel and Associates Human Fund: Begun by Joe Kimmel to offer additional help to the employees of Kimmel and Associates, the Human Fund was established.
Funded by payroll deductions from the employees as well as the Kimmel and Associates, their employees can rest assured that there is extra help available in the face of emergency if ever needed.
Thanks to the vision and generosity of Joe Kimmel and Cynthia Kimmel and their family they continue to lead the way in our community and provide for their valued employees beyond traditional means.
Strands for Stars: Founded by Judy Bickerton, a professional hair and makeup artist of 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 the effects of cancer treatments.
The Eblen-Kimmel Charities is most 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.
Woodfin / Eblen Water Project: Developed by the board of the Woodfin Sanitary Water and Sewer District, the Woodfin / Eblen Water Project assists Woodfin Water customers who are having difficulty paying their water bills due to circumstances beyond their control. The Woodfin Water district serves more than 10,000 people and covers the city of Woodfin, and sections of North Asheville, West Asheville, and
This partnership provides an added opportunity for those in our community meet the challenges they may face living with the effects of illnesses and disabilities. The Woodfin Water Project serves as the first partnership that the Eblen-Kimmel Charitable Group has developed with a municipal department since the inception of the Eblen Partnerships initiative.