Parkway Foundation receives donation
The Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation will receive 100 free hours of public relations and marketing services as part of the Stand Up Initiative from Asheville-based Darby Communications and Status Forward.
Launched in 2016, the Stand Up Initiative has provided more than 300 hours of pro-bono services to select environmental nonprofits, including the Nantahala-Pisgah Forest Partnership, Friends of the Smokies, I Heart Pisgah and Bee City USA. The Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation was one of two organizations to receive a donation this year — the San Juan Mountains Association in Colorado will also receive 100 hours.
Darby Communications and Status Forward will focus on the Foundation’s Trails & Views Forever Fund campaign, which stems from an all-or-nothing $300,000 match grant the nonprofit received to address facilities and amenities needs on the Parkway. The Foundation has until June 30 to raise a matching amount in order to keep the original $300,000.
“With this generous grant, we want to ensure that the trails, overlooks, picnic areas and campgrounds of our beloved Blue Ridge Parkway are preserved and protected for years to come,” said Rita Larkin, communications director for the Blue Ridge Parkway Foundation.”
