Shop local, shop small for hurricane recovery
Holiday shoppers across the region, the state, the country and even the world can give the gift of Haywood by visiting gifthaywood.com — an innovative new program helping local small businesses recover from Hurricane Helene.
All proceeds from the sale of exclusive “Haywood Strong” Christmas ornaments and other merchandise, like ski caps, car magnets and sticker packs, will benefit the Haywood Advancement Foundation’s grant program to help small businesses struggling in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, which visited incredible devastation upon much of Western North Carolina in late September.
Ornaments purchased at the Visit Haywood Welcome Center, located at 91 North Lakeshore Drive at Lake Junaluska, will earn the buyer an entry into a gift basket raffle, with winners announced in January.
More than a hundred ornaments have already been sold to shoppers in 22 states.
In addition to online merchandising, gifthaywood.com also offers an interactive map of local businesses and curated shopping lists so you can surprise the foodie, trendsetter or creative soul in your life with a gift that’s sure to make memories.
“Give the Gift of Haywood” is a partnership between the Haywood County Tourism Development Authority, the Haywood County Chamber of Commerce, the Downtown Waynesville Commission, the Canton Merchant Partnership and the Maggie Valley Chamber of Commerce.
