Help needed on High Knob effort

By: KEITH STRANGE / Staff Writer, Coalfield Progress
August 29, 2008

NORTON — Ask anyone in the county how they feel about the High Knob tower and you’re likely to get the same answer:

“What a shame it was destroyed. I hope they can build it back.”

But organizers say now is the time the “they” in that sentence becomes “we.”

Fundraising committee chairman Rita McReynolds said a notice earlier this week that a six-figure donation from the Virginia Coalfield Economic Development Authority will not be happening has seriously hurt efforts to raise the necessary $572,000 to rebuild the tower.

To date, $63,000 has been donated toward the rebuilding effort, she said.

“We were really, really hoping and praying from a very large donation from VCEDA,” she said Tuesday. “Finding out that they wouldn’t be able to give us any money was very disappointing.”

State budget cuts have made it impossible for the organization to donate to the effort, McReynolds said. “They still fully support the project and wanted to donate, but they just don’t have the money right now.”

It’s time for the public to put its money where its mouth is, she said.

“All we hear is how everyone wants to see the tower rebuilt,” McReynolds said. “Now is the time for them to step up and make their donations.

“The High Knob tower belongs to us,” she added. “It is the people’s tower and we need the people in order to rebuild it.”

She noted that federal officials have pledged some funding, but the money for the effort needs to be on hand before the government gets involved with enhancement efforts at the tower site.

Although she is still seeking corporate donations, McReynolds said that without individual donations, it is unlikely the tower will be built.

“Every penny helps,” she pleaded. “Please donate even if it’s $5 or $10.”

WHERE TO SEND MONEY

McReynolds noted that confusion about where to send in donations could have kept some people from donating.

She said organizers of the rebuilding effort have secured 501(c)(3) non-profit status from the federal government, allowing checks to be written to the organization.

Anyone wishing to donate to the rebuilding effort can make their checks payable to the High Knob Enhancement Corporation, P.O. Box 125, 16542 Russell Street, St. Paul, Va., 24283.

“Please help us,” McReynolds said. “If you remember special moments on High Knob, if you liked to go up there and hike or just liked having the tower there, help us rebuild it.

“I’m not disappointed with the money we have now, but now is the time for everyone to step forward,” she added.