Rotary Club of Black Mountain Swannanoa and White Horse Partner to Raise $70,000 for Local Nonprofit

Representatives from the White Horse and the Rotary Club of Black Mountain Swannanoa presented a $70,000 check to the directors of Hammer & Heart and the Swannanoa Valley Christian Ministry on February 19. This donation will support urgent home repairs for residents in need within the Swannanoa Valley. The collaboration between the Rotary Club and the White Horse was a result of a shared commitment to community service, culminating in a meaningful act of generosity.
Hammer & Heart, a nonprofit established in 2018 and officially formed as a 501(c)(3) organization three years later, has been providing critical structural and repair services to local residents. In June, the organization merged with the Swannanoa Valley Christian Ministry to address a growing list of community needs, particularly following the devastation caused by Hurricane Helene. Nearly 18 months after the storm, many homeowners still struggle with the aftermath, as noted by Hammer & Heart director Charlie Wilson.
Wilson shared a poignant example of a homeowner whose home remains affected by a mudslide, with no running water and debris still scattered around her property. “She’s still shell-shocked from the storm,” he said. “That’s just one example of a homeowner who doesn’t have the resources to do all of the necessary work around her home.” The organization’s mission is to alleviate housing conditions that pose an imminent threat to life or safety, while also offering accessibility modifications that allow residents to remain in their homes.
The fundraising partnership between the Rotary Club and the White Horse was sparked by a challenge among friends. White Horse managing director Zach Hinkle recounted a meeting with the club’s immediate past president, Andrew Mercurio, where they both committed to raising money for Hammer & Heart. Mercurio, who launched a recruiting initiative last spring, helped reestablish the Rotary Club of Black Mountain Swannanoa, which had been struggling with declining membership. The club was reestablished in August after nearly 70 years of service.
This partnership exemplifies the power of community collaboration in addressing real needs. As the Bible reminds us in Matthew 25:35, “For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me.” The work of Hammer & Heart and the support from the Rotary Club and White Horse reflect this call to love our neighbors as ourselves. Their efforts remind us that mercy and compassion are not abstract ideals, but tangible acts of love that transform lives.

Source: Read the original report