Join Chapter - FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway

FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway, Inc. P.O. Box 341 Arden, NC 28704 P.O. Box 20986 Roanoke, Va. 24018 800-228-7275 (toll-free) 540-772-2992 (fax) staff@friendsbrp.org FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway is a non-profit, volunteer organization that is dedicated to preserving, promoting and enhancing the Blue Ridge Parkway, a national treasure. FRIENDS programs focus on preservation, protection and education. FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway, Inc., is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit corporation, organized and existing under the laws of the State of North Carolina and the Commonwealth of Virginia, whose current principal business address for identification purposes is P.O. Box 20986, Roanoke, Virginia 24018.	FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway, Inc. A non-profit, volunteer organizationdedicated to preserving, promoting and enhancing the Blue Ridge Parkway, a national treasure.
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	Join Chapter START YOUR LOCAL FRIENDS CHAPTER Throughout the winter months when the Blue Ridge Parkway trails are closed, several chapters of FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway continue to plant trees, recruit volunteers, and maintain their trails. At the Roanoke Valley chapter, for instance, the group prepared for their "spring cleaning" trail maintenance while organizing its viewshed tree planting event held April 14, 2007. The viewshed tree planting event, Saving Parkway Views, hopes to block the views of a housing development that was built several years ago close to Milepost 125.5, as well as restore a bit of the forest. The Rocky Knob Chapter in the Floyd County, Meadows of Dan, and Stuart communities is very active in repairing split rail fences, painting milepost markers, and collecting the donation box at Mabry Mill. This chapter will help with the construction of the new bridges at the Blue Ridge Music Center. The very-active Fishers Peak Chapter worked throughout the winter months to maintain Parkway trails in preparation for the spring opening. With over 80 active members, Fishers Peak exemplifies the chapter concept FRIENDS seeks to create. Local community volunteers working together for the common good of the Blue Ridge Parkway. The Asheville chapter has been actively preparing for the installation of 10 to 12 donation boxes along the Blue Ridge Parkway. With the first donation box at the Folk Art Center in Asheville, plus these additional boxes, they hope to receive $20,000 annually to be used toward future projects. Asheville chapter Chair Gregory Brown is concerned about a shortage of board members in Asheville, which is the site of the Blue Ridge Parkway headquarters. Brown hopes more board members will be added. He also wants to hire a full-time person to coordinate volunteer programs and take care of private fundraising. Brown plans to hire and support youth volunteers in the park and wants to involve Big Brothers Big Sisters, the Boys’ and Girls’ Club of America and the 4-H Club. Youth volunteers would assist with tree planting and interpretation for park visitors. "I feel it will be mutually beneficial to the youth in western North Carolina and to the Parkway," Brown said. "The Parkway will benefit from their services, while youth will have an opportunity to provide service to the community and to learn special skills in natural and cultural history. It goes without saying that these youth are the future of the Parkway and our culture in general." The chapters of the FRIENDS of the Blue Ridge Parkway depend on the assistance of their volunteers to complete their projects and to maintain the Parkway. To become a volunteer, contact FRIENDS at 1-800-228-PARK (7275) if you wish to provide the leadership to assist with a chapter or begin one in your area. MAKE A DIFFERENCE! JOIN A FRIENDS CHAPTER NEAR YOU FRIENDS chapters are actively supporting the Blue Ridge Parkway at Humpback Rocks; Rocky Knob; Fishers Peak; Blowing Rock/Boone; Asheville; and Roanoke Valley. For more information about the new Rocky Knob Chapter, click HERE. For more information about the Roanoke Chapter, click HERE. For more information about the Asheville Chapter, click HERE. For more information about the Fisher's Peak Chapter, click HERE. These chapters collect donations from donation boxes, sell FRIENDS’ merchandise, provide volunteers to the speakers bureau and music center, maintain trails, fundraise, build bridges, and participate in viewshed projects. We have an on-going need for volunteers for our various projects. If you are interested in becoming a volunteer for FRIENDS Roanoke Valley Chapter, please contact Mark McClain at mcclainmark@comcast.net.
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