Brevard and Transylvania County have long been extraordinary places to visit. Our waterfalls, our forests, and our friendly towns and communities have always warmly welcomed explorers from all over. These days, things are a bit different. We’re hunkering down at home instead of hitting the trails. We’re taking care to flatten the curve instead of taking that path to the very top of the mountain. 

Adventure doesn’t always look like a trip out into the wild. Some of our favorite adventurers look after our health, our safety, our food, our deliveries and our essential services. And plenty of great adventures start at home and create lasting connections and real support for our families, neighbors and friends. We’d like to honor everyone who is out there doing what they can. In this unprecedented time, we are all truly adventurists. 

Many members of our community have gone above and beyond the call of duty to foster support and take care of their neighbors during this time. We’d like to highlight some of the amazing work the good folks of Brevard and Transylvania County are doing to come together. One initiative that's spearheading the effort to revitalize local small business is the Transylvania Tomorrow Small Business Emergency Relief Fund. Keep reading below to learn more about this effort and many more happening in the area.

Until we can get back on the trails and safely enjoy all of Transylvania‘s natural wonders, we invite you to join us in supporting the local businesses and organizations that make our community so special. The businesses and initiatives listed below are only a few of the ways our community is responding to the crisis. You can take part by donating directly to Transylvania Tomorrow as well as by purchasing gift cards from your favorite shops, restaurants and services, and by making direct donations to the organizations you care about. You can be a part of helping us care for all our local wonders, no matter where you are.   

Know that we miss you and we’ll still be here when the time is right.  

The Adventurist

Transylvania County’s small businesses are its lifeblood. They make our community unique and vibrant. Many of them are struggling in the wake of this crisis. The Transylvania Tomorrow Small Business Emergency Relief Fund has been created to provide support to local small businesses throughout the pandemic. The fund has amassed more the $55,000 in contributions from local organizations, including Transylvania County Tourism, as well as local businesses and individuals. 

Through this effort we can all help create a brighter future for small businesses in Transylvania County and Brevard. We're asking you, our visitors, to provide any help you can to preserve the experience we all know and love. Please consider making a contribution today.

A number of businesses and organizations in Transylvania County have worked over the last weeks to provide free meals for local people in need. KTCHN gave kids salads and pizzas. Jet’s Pizza fed over 1000 students free pizza in March. Rooster Head Plantation, Pescado’s and Creekside Market and Grill are offering free meals for school-age children. 

Additionally, Transylvania County Schools have been providing emergency meals to kids in need via bus service and drive-throughs. 

The Greystone Inn at Lake Toxaway is offering to donate a meal for every takeout meal purchased.

Brevard-based camping gear manufacturer SylvanSport has turned their assembly line over to producing a wide range of PPE, including surgical masks, suits, face shields, medical tents and more. 

Billie Wilson of Three Oaks Fabric in Rosman has been creating thousands of surgical masks and free mask kits for people across the country. 

Local car retailer, Egolf Motors, recently donated more than 100 sets of PPE. 

Both Pisgah Labs in Pisgah Forest and supplement producer Gaia Herbs of Brevard have begun making hand sanitizer for local businesses and to donate to hospitals and frontline workers.

The Cindy Platt Boys and Girls Club of Transylvania County has been hosting a daily online read-aloud program at 3 p.m. 

The Rotary Club of Brevard is sending good wishes to seniors with a greeting card drive.  

Killer Bees Honey is open for business by online order. They are donating $10 in every customer’s name to the First Responders Children’s Foundation for each bottle of Appalachian Wildflower Honey sold. 

The Transylvania County Sheriff’s Office has gathered as shifts change to show their appreciation for local health care workers with applause and signs as “Heroes Honoring Heroes.”

Island Ford Adventures is offering some free online workshops. A popular favorite, Backyard Birds, occurs Thursdays at 7 p.m. and Fridays at 10 a.m.