Fundraiser for Kim & Pete McWhirter

Christina Gordon is coordinating a fundraiser, including a Music Benefit at OOAK Gallery in Micaville, for Kim & Pete McWhirter. From the Facebook event page:

What: Music Benefit for Kim & Pete McWhirter

When: July 24th, 2021 - 1pm to 5pm

Where: OOAK Gallery in Micaville, NC

Why: Supporting neighbors in need!

Who: Multiple Bands & Musicians:
    ♫ Denny Hawthorne of Denny Blue
    ♫ David Wiseman of Micaville Music
    ♫ Pine Blue: Eric Witherspoon and Steve Barnes
    ♫ Ron & Minnie Powell
    ♫ Jodi Pred
    ♫ Smokey Joe
    ♫ Z & the Tallboys

;)  Please see "Here's how you can help" details at the end!

Nestled in a little river valley below the Black Mountain range in Yancey County, N.C. is a small pottery shop that has been operating since 1963. Here you will find two dear souls, Pete and Kim McWhirter, who have been creating beauty for the community here in more ways than one for many a year. Here you will find music, pottery and love.

Working with clay mixed by hand and lead free glazes they make themselves, this duo creatively blends, mixes, tests, forms, carves, glazes and fires pieces that hold nourishment and joy for anyone who uses them.

Broke Holler is the name you'll hear when their music is the topic. These two talented songwriters have picked a lot of strings and sung hundreds of songs for many to enjoy, from gigs as large as Merle Fest to hometown events like Mount Mitchell Craft Fair, backyard BBQ's and weddings. They have also been key supporters offering their talents at multiple music benefits like the “Hard Times, Helping Hands” fundraising concert for our local Reconciliation House, to help neighbors in need in Yancey County.

2020 brought about hard times for humanity. Some have thrived, but most have struggled. After a lifetime that Kim describes as “so abundant and so blessed”, they have hit some hard curves in the road. Amidst the pandemic unfolding and their music and pottery festival work closing, Kim was diagnosed with Breast Cancer. Hard times occasionally hit more than once and the cancer diagnosis was followed by a pottery kiln breakdown, foundation issues with their home, multiple vehicle repairs and a severe hand injury. The medical bills are beginning to roll in along with the kiln repair, auto repair and foundation expenses. Insurance only goes so far.

While Kim is navigating this new road with cancer and treatment, Pete is right beside her and caring for her. This now also leaves Pete as the sole employee many days at their McWhirter Pottery store on Hwy 80 South. With a reality that their capacity to bring in income is also now diminished, not only by their journey with cancer, but also through the needed kiln repairs in order to keep some pottery production happening, they could use our support.
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♥  Here's how you can help:

1. Send some love. A card, a picture, a story of how they helped you or made you smile and, if you are able financial support. Everything helps. Let them know you are here and they are not alone. If you plan to include a monetary gift, please make a note of GIFT in the memo line on checks or money orders. Cash is nice too and hand delivered cards or gifts can go direct to the store as well.

Mailing/Store address is:
    
McWhirter Pottery
139 Red Clay Rd.
Burnsville NC 28714

2. Shop with McWhirter Pottery. Purchase some pottery and let them know it's ok to send it later, maybe some months down the road, if needed. Better yet, buy a gift card for yourself or think ahead on gifts for others this year and buy a few gift cards now.

You can buy pottery and gift cards on their website:  https://www.mcwhirterpottery.com/

3. Support the “Music Benefit for Kim and Pete McWhirter”.

~ Participate in the Benefit:
Join us Saturday, July 24thth at OOAK Gallery in Micaville from 1pm to 5pm for a free music event. Please consider a “Gift” of $25-$50 (or more) made direct to Kim and Pete McWhirter.

If you cannot make it the Music Benefit, you can make a gift through Venmo here: @Kim-Mcwhirter-3

~ Volunteer to help us work the music benefit. We will need actual bodies to make this happen. If you are available and want to support these two dear friends, please also contact Christina Gordon at: cg@animalphat.com

5. Help spread the word. Share this notification and let's drum up some support. These two people have reached far and wide with their work and good spirit and we want those folks who may not be physically close in proximity to know their love and support helps also.

(image from the Facebook event page)