In September, we celebrate a group of friends who move our community forward with actions that create beautiful spaces, boost our economy, tell our shared stories, and bring us all together. On Friends Day, Saturday, September 12, Mast Store donates 10% of sales to support its local partner, and guests can RoundUP their purchases to the next dollar to provide even more support September 7-13.
Friends Day has been on Mast Store’s calendar since 2008, and these groups are a part of the mix helping our communities be more livable, interesting, and special.
“Friends Day supports people and organizations in our communities that steward, uplift, and energize efforts that improve our quality of life,” said Ryan Robinson, Mast Store’s corporate responsibility and community partnerships manager. “So much of what these groups do seemingly happens magically because their volunteers are passionate and engaged. But if they weren’t there, we would surely notice a difference in where we live.”
Each location supports a partner that is active and contributing in its local area.
Friends Day Partners
The Original Mast Store, Annex, Mast Store Boone, and Rivercross Made in USA (our sister store located in Valle Crucis) support the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation. This organization works with the NPS to support initiatives along the 469-mile route, including historical and cultural preservation, environmental protection, visitor amenities, and educational outreach.
Mast Stores Waynesville and Knoxville support the Friends of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. This organization works with the NPS to support initiatives in five categories within the Park, including resource management and science, environmental education, the Volunteers in Park program, facilities management, and visitor experience.
In Asheville, the store supports the Pisgah Conservancy. This organization works with the National Forest Service to support initiatives in the Pisgah Ranger District to add daily capacity, including recreation support, habitat and watershed improvement, invasive plant removal, visitor information and education, and clean-up days.
The Pisgah Conservancy holds a workday annually on the last Saturday in April. Volunteers help remove invasive species, build and repair trails, and do a general cleanup to get ready for the season. Photo by Seyl Park and courtesy of Pisgah Conservancy.
Mast Store Hendersonville supports the Friends of Ecusta Trail. This organization works to repurpose an abandoned railroad spur line into a new cultural main street that promotes health, enriches the quality of life, boosts local economies, and creates a multi-modal transportation corridor.
The Gateway Nature Preserve is Mast Store Winston-Salem's partner. This organization is revitalizing a vibrant ecosystem and creating a new awareness of the environment through its urban wildlife habitat to find ways we can all work toward a more sustainable world.
Roanoke’s friends group is the Friends of the Blue Ridge. This organization enhances the natural and ecological beauty, cultural vitality, and quality of life in Blue Ridge communities through volunteerism, giving, and partnerships.
Mast Store Greenville supports the Friends of the Reedy River. This organization is the voice of one of Greenville’s most valuable resources – the Reedy River. Its work focuses on three themes – educating on the importance of a healthy river ecosystem, advocating for continuing and improved protection of the river, and activating the community on behalf of the river.
Columbia’s Mast Store supports the Palmetto Trail. This organization is building, maintaining, and protecting a multi-use nature-based trail connecting the mountains with the ocean in South Carolina. Along its length are opportunities to engage with history, culture, and nature, while growing economic vitality.
Flat Top Manor on the Blue Ridge Parkway near Blowing Rock has had significant renovation work thanks to the fundraising efforts of the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation. Photo by David Huff, courtesy of the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation.
“We particularly appreciate these organizations for their ability to not only engage our community members, but our staff as well. As an employee-owned business, engaging staff in these efforts helps preserve the essence of a community general store,” shared Ryan.
We hope you’ll stop by on Friends Day to learn more about our partners and how you can get more involved with projects that interest you.