Xpress speaks with Marissa Percoco, executive director of Firefly Gathering, to learn more about the organization’s new nonprofit status, the inspiration to attain it and some of the pitfalls aspiring nonprofits should aim to avoid.
New Stories
Why I volunteer: Sharon Wood on Asheville Humane Society
Local resident Sharon Wood reflects on her volunteer work at Asheville Humane Society.
Buncombe’s unsheltered homeless population doubles in a year
Buncombe County’s latest Point-In-Time count — meant to record every resident sleeping on the streets, at a shelter or in transitional housing on a single night — found 232 unsheltered residents in January 2022, up from the 116 people counted a year before. Overall homelessness in the county increased by about 21% over the same period.
Why I volunteer: Greer Gunby on MountainTrue
Local resident Greer Gunby reflects on his volunteer work with MountainTrue.
Asheville Music School emerges from pandemic stronger than ever
The local music nonprofit brings back its Sound Effects Benefit Concert and moves into a new West Asheville home.
Q&A with Debbie Welch, North Carolina Big Sister of the Year
Xpress sits down with Debbie Welch to discuss her 2022 award and the joys of being a Big Sister.
Montford Park Players celebrate 50th season
The Montford Park Players started as a no-frills Shakespeare troupe operating out of a neighborhood park. As the nonprofit group embarks on its 50th season, its shows have grown into one of the most popular outdoor theater experiences in North Carolina.
Why I volunteer: Mike Erwin on WNC Nature Center
Local resident Mike Erwin reflects on his volunteer work at the WNC Nature Center.
Why I volunteer: Jan Oliver on Friends2Ferals
Local resident Jan Oliver discusses her volunteer work with Friends2Ferals.
Food nonprofits fight to meet increased need
Since COVID-19 emerged in early 2020, local nonprofits dedicated to meeting the needs of food insecure citizens have been engaged in what feels like an endless game of Whac-A-Mole, no sooner subduing one obstacle before another rears its menacing head.
Why we volunteer: Tricia and Charlie Franck on Habitat for Humanity
Local residents Tricia and Charlie Franck reflect on their work with Habitat for Humanity.
Q&A: Kelly Shanafelt offers tips and insights on launching a nonprofit
In a conversation with Xpress, Kelly Shanafelt explains the day-to-day of a nonprofit consultant and offers advice for new and established nonprofits, alike.
Green in brief: Chestnut Mountain Nature Park opens to public
About 35 acres of the nearly 450-acre tract — purchased by the nonprofit Southern Appalachian Highlands Conservancy in 2020 and recently transferred to the town of Canton — are now open, including the Berm Park mountain bike skills course and a mixed-use hiking/biking trail.
Why I volunteer: Philip Blocklyn on RiverLink
Local resident Philip Blocklyn reflects on his volunteer work with RiverLink.
Why I volunteer: Joanna Kalp on NAMI
Local resident Joanna Kalp reflects on her volunteer work with the National Alliance for Mental Illness of Western North Carolina.
Around Town: Asheville artists find inspiration from Italy
A trip to Italy inspires a new Asheville art exhibit. Plus, Asheville Community Theatre dissolves a partnership after criticism, LEAF Festival Singer-Songwriter Competition names finalists and a local author pens a YA novel.