BEGIN:VCALENDAR VERSION:2.0 PRODID:-//wp-events-plugin.com//7.4.2//EN BEGIN:VEVENT UID:211@thecomellafoundation.org DTSTART:20260815T140000Z DTEND:20260815T170000Z DTSTAMP:20260812T151418Z URL:https://thecomellafoundation.org/events/buncombe-ready-barnardsville-p reparedness-event/ SUMMARY:Buncombe Ready Barnardsville: Preparedness Event DESCRIPTION:Date: 8/15/26\nTime: 10a-1p\nLocation: Barnardsville Elementary School\nDescription: Promotional Materials handout\, table setup Doing s tress reduction demonstrations for the public\nWhy: Join The Comella Found ation in supporting our neighbors at the  Buncombe Ready Barnardsville: P reparedness Event. View more details here\n\n\nThe community is invited to learn\, connect\, and prepare together at Buncombe Ready Barnardsville on Saturday\, August 15. Co-hosted by the Barnardsville Area Resilience Net work (BARN)\, the event will take place at Barnardsville Elementary School from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.\nThis event is designed to provide hyper-local res ources and preparedness information for the Barnardsville area. Throughout the event\, residents can drop in to enjoy free food and live music from The Johnny Casey Band\, visit with elected officials\, and get prepared to gether with family and neighbors. There will be live demonstrations on imp ortant preparedness topics such as generator safety\, fire extinguisher sa fety\, and Community Emergency Response Team (CERT).  Attendees can also find resources and services from Buncombe County departments and community partners\, including:\n\n Agriculture and Land Resources Department\n B arnardsville Area Resilience Network (BARN)\n Barnardsville Fire Departme nt\n Big Ivy Community Center\n Big Ivy Mobile Health\n Buncombe County Long-Term Recovery Group\n Buncombe County Sheriff’s Office\n Buncomb e County WIC\n Bureau of Identification\n The Comella Foundation\n Elec tion Services\n Emergency Services and Emergency Management\n Environmen tal Health\n FEMA\n Firefly Gathering\n Full Circle Forestry Collective \n Helene Recovery Office\n Intergovernmental Relations and Strategic Pa rtnerships\n Land of Sky Regional Council’s solar trailer\n Libraries\ n NCEM Private Roads &\; Bridges\n Parks &\; Recreation’s Commun ity Recreation and Outdoor Experiences (CORE)\n Pisgah Legal Services\n Public Health\n Public Safety Communications\n RiverLink\n Solid Waste Department\n Wild Abundance\n\nFree lunch will be provided by BBQ Blues\, thanks to a donation from All Hands &\; Hearts\, and to-go meals will be provided by Food Connection.\n\nBuncombe Ready Barnardsville will be th e first in a series hosted throughout Buncombe County and designed to stre ngthen resilience and preparedness through resources\, tools\, demonstrati ons\, and community connection.\n\n CATEGORIES:Community Support,Meet and Greet,Operation Stress Shield END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT UID:213@thecomellafoundation.org DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20260912T090000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20260912T140000 DTSTAMP:20260812T151454Z URL:https://thecomellafoundation.org/events/heart-of-horse-sense-teaching- workshop/ SUMMARY:Heart of Horse Sense - Teaching Workshop DESCRIPTION:Day: Saturday\nDate: 9/12/26\nTime: 10a-2p\nLocation: Heart of Horse Sense - 7041 Meadows Town Rd. Marshall\, NC 28753\nDescription : Instructional Event Showcasing the abilities of Operation: Stress Shiel d to help those struggling with stored Trauma and pain\nWhy: Supporting F irst Responders &\; Veterans\n\nLearn more here. CATEGORIES:Meet and Greet,Operation Stress Shield Events END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT UID:212@thecomellafoundation.org DTSTART:20260912T180000Z DTEND:20260912T220000Z DTSTAMP:20260812T143304Z URL:https://thecomellafoundation.org/events/operation-take-up-space-female -veteran-led-march/ SUMMARY:Operation Take Up Space: Female Veteran-Led March DESCRIPTION: \;\nDay: Saturday\nDate: 9/12/26\nTime: 2p-6p\nLocation : Hi Wire in the Asheville River Arts District\nDescription: Promotional Materials handout\, table setup Doing stress reduction demonstrations for the public\nWhy: The Comella Foundation supports our Veterans!\n \;\n \nOperation Take Up Space: Come March With Us (Or Help Make It Happen)\n\n \nWell… Lindsey’s at it again.\n\n\nThis time\, she looked at a map of North Carolina and thought\, “We should probably walk across that.” \ n\n\nWith less than 100 days until the midterm elections\, Operation Take Up Space is about more than walking 300+ miles. It’s about showing that change happens when ordinary people choose to show up for one another.\n\n \nThis women veteran-led march is open to everyone. Beginning during the S eptember 11 anniversary weekend in Asheville and ending October 3 in Wilmi ngton\, we’ll connect communities across North Carolina\, support local organizations\, and demonstrate what ethical leadership\, community\, and people power look like in action.\n\n\nThe march will conclude with a nati onwide Take Up Space Day of Action\, inviting communities everywhere to ho st local events and prove that hope\, courage\, and community are contagio us.\n\n\nYou don’t have to walk 300 miles to make a difference.\n\n\nWe ’re looking for people to:\n• Walk a few miles or a few days with us.\ n• Drive a support vehicle.\n• Help with meals\, logistics\, or event coordination.\n• Volunteer at community events.\n• Lend your skills be hind the scenes before or during the march.\n\n\nWhether you have three we eks\, three days\, or three hours\, there’s a place for you.\n CATEGORIES:Community Support END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT UID:216@thecomellafoundation.org DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261010T180000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261010T200000 DTSTAMP:20260812T151331Z URL:https://thecomellafoundation.org/events/art-with-heart-heart-of-horse- fundraiser/ SUMMARY:Art with Heart - Heart of Horse Fundraiser DESCRIPTION:Day: Saturday\nDate: 10/10/26\nTime: 6p-8p\nLocation: Mars Landing Arts Center\n37 Library St\, Mars Hill\, NC  28754\nDescription:  Fundraising Event for Heart of Horse Sense\nLearn more CATEGORIES:Community Support END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT UID:215@thecomellafoundation.org DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York;VALUE=DATE:20261029 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York;VALUE=DATE:20261030 DTSTAMP:20260812T145225Z URL:https://thecomellafoundation.org/events/national-first-responders-day/ SUMMARY:National First Responders Day DESCRIPTION:\nNATIONAL FIRST RESPONDERS DAY\nOctober 28th sets aside Nation al First Responders Day to honor the men and women who act quickly when an emergency is at hand.\n#NationalFirstRespondersDay\nFirst responders dedi cate their lives to save lives. They are the people who run toward a crisi s while the rest of the world flees. According to the Department of Homela nd Security\, 4.6 million career and volunteer first responders support th e communities where they live. They are firefighters\, police\, emergency medical technicians (EMT)\, paramedics\, and 911 operators. In an emergenc y\, they're the first on the scene. These dedicated professionals answer t he call when a crisis arises\, often putting their own lives on the line.\ n\nServing as a national day of gratitude\, we pay tribute to their endles s hours and around the clock service provided to their communities. As one of the most dangerous jobs in the country\, the day also pays tribute to the fallen first responders. According to the CDC\, 97 firefighters and 15 5 police officers die each year in the line of duty. Additionally\, their rate of occupational injury is higher than the national average. Often\, t he very people saving lives are our neighbors\, friends and family members . And their families know the price they pay for their dedication to the j ob.\n\nAnd even though they are an integral part of our communities\, thei r sacrifices go beyond the hours they work. They face high stress\, often daily. The trauma they see wears on them both mentally and physically. Man y experience Post Traumatic Stress. Long periods away from family add stre ss to their relationships\, too.\n\nNational First Responders Day is also a call for action. First responders deserve our support. Through resources and awareness\, first responders can live healthier more productive lives and pass their knowledge and skills on to the next generation of first re sponders\, too.\nHOW TO OBSERVE NATIONAL FIRST RESPONDERS DAY\nThe day pro vides you with an opportunity to recognize a first responder in your life. You might be surprised at how many you know. If their service is voluntar y\, you may only know about their day job. Offer to treat them to their fa vorite beverage or buy their next meal. Be supportive of their family\, to o. More importantly\, support programs that improve services to first resp onders. Connect with a first responder who came to your rescue and thank t hem. Let them know you appreciate their dedication and sacrifice.\n\nShare your appreciation on social media using #NationalFirstRespondersDay.\nNAT IONAL FIRST RESPONDERS DAY HISTORY\nIn 2019\, the United States Senate pas sed a resolution designating October 28th as National First Responders Day to honor the men and women putting their lives on the line. Additionally\ , many states have proclaimed October 28th as National First Responders Da y and others recognize the observance on different dates throughout the ye ar.\n\n CATEGORIES:Community Support END:VEVENT BEGIN:VEVENT UID:217@thecomellafoundation.org DTSTART;TZID=America/New_York:20261107T110000 DTEND;TZID=America/New_York:20261107T140000 DTSTAMP:20260812T152749Z URL:https://thecomellafoundation.org/events/veterans-information-fair/ SUMMARY:Veteran’s Information Fair DESCRIPTION:Day: Saturday\nDate: 11/7/26\nTime: 11a-2p\nLocation: Tange r Outlets\n800 Brevard Rd\, Asheville\, NC 28806\nDescription: Promotiona l Materials handout\, table setup Doing stress reduction demonstrations fo r the public\nWhy: Supporting Veterans CATEGORIES:Community Support,Meet and Greet END:VEVENT BEGIN:VTIMEZONE TZID:America/New_York X-LIC-LOCATION:America/New_York BEGIN:DAYLIGHT DTSTART:20260308T030000 TZOFFSETFROM:-0500 TZOFFSETTO:-0400 TZNAME:EDT END:DAYLIGHT BEGIN:STANDARD DTSTART:20261101T010000 TZOFFSETFROM:-0400 TZOFFSETTO:-0500 TZNAME:EST END:STANDARD END:VTIMEZONE END:VCALENDAR