WHAT: Green Friday fundraiser
WHEN: Friday, Nov. 27
WHERE: Asheville’s Wildwater Ltd. and the Adventure Center of Asheville
WHY: While Asheville’s bargain hunters weave through hundreds of fellow shoppers on Black Friday, others will navigate the season’s last leaves, ziplining through Western North Carolina for charity. Asheville’s Wildwater Ltd. and the Adventure Center of Asheville (plus several sister organizations in neighboring states) will donate 50 percent of zipline revenues to select nonprofits, including RiverLink, during the companies’ fifth annual Green Friday.
“There are many people looking for things to do that day for whom Black Friday is completely out of the question,” says RiverLink’s director of volunteer services, Dave Russell. “For them, fresh air, exhilaration and supporting causes such as RiverLink are a win-win-win.”
Participants should be at least 10 years old and weigh 70 pounds or more for a full-fledged canopy tour, although younger or smaller children may be eligible to participate in other activities. The Adventure Center offers KidZip experiences and a Treetops Adventure Park with “60 unique climbing, zipping, walking, jumping, swinging and rappelling challenges anchored to more than 30 trees and towering poles tucked into a wooded park.”
“RiverLink will use the funds to continue our work on the French Broad River watershed,” Russell says. “We might use them for more cleanup supplies. We might add them to our scholarship fund for disadvantaged youth to take part in our summertime RiverCamp program for kids.”
Reservations for Green Friday adventures are recommended and can be made by calling 800-451-9972 or visiting wildwaterrafting.com. Prices vary, with discounts available for groups, students and youths. Mentioning Green Friday is encouraged, although half of the day’s revenues will be donated to participating nonprofits automatically.
