The Beatles refrain is true, “I get by with a little help from my friends.” On Saturday, September 10, the Mast Store will be hosting Friends in each of its home communities that have the awesome responsibility of taking care of resources that locals and visitors enjoy every day. At the end of the day, each of our store locations will donate 10% of the day’s sales to support our local conservation partners.

In Valle Crucis, Boone, Hendersonville, and Asheville, volunteers from the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation (BRPF) will be on hand at the stores to discuss their activities to enhance the visitor experience along America’s Favorite Scenic Drive, the Blue Ridge Parkway. The Foundation is the Parkway’s primary fundraising arm, and it works with that National Park Service to protect the park’s natural, historical and cultural resources, and to maintain visitor facilities on the Parkway.

Since its founding in 1997, the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation has raised more than $10 million to protect and enhance the historical, cultural, and natural treasures of the Blue Ridge Parkway and provide education and outreach programs.

The Foundation’s projects range from a remote camera installation initiative to help biologists better understand and manage the wildlife in the park to the restoration of historical structures at Johnson Farm, milepost 86, in Virginia. The non-profit recently launched a multi-year fundraising effort to restore and maintain Moses H. Cone Memorial Park, milepost 294, near Blowing Rock.

The Foundation also provides funding for summer musical programming at the Blue Ridge Music Center, that passes on the musical traditions of the region with bluegrass, old-time, Americana, and country blues performances. Kids in Parks is a signature program of the Foundation, encouraging children to unplug from electronic devices and explore an extensive network of TRACK Trails.

In addition to donating 10% of the day’s sales to our Friends, Patagonia will donate $2,500 directly to Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation on our behalf in celebration the 100th Anniversary of our National Parks. Thank you, Patagonia!

Come in and visit with the volunteers from the BRPF to find out how you can get more involved or visit their website HERE.