Appalachian Voices recently had the honor of being inducted into the Allegheny Unitarian Universalist Church’s Share The Plate program, in which the church donates 50% of their quarterly tithings to a justice-related nonprofit. Our longtime field staff member Austin Hall was on hand last weekend to accept the church’s generous $1,250 check.

Allegheny Unitarian Universalist Church generously donated half of their quarterly tithings to Appalachian Voices.

During his first Appalachian Treasures tour in Pittsburgh with Coal River Mountain Watch activist Junior Walk in 2010, Austin had the pleasure of meeting Shane Freeman, a local activist and congregate of the Allegheny UU Church. In all-star fashion, Shane maintained contact with Appalachian Voices. When Austin and Adam Hall, a West Virginia native and Keepers of the Mountains activist, embarked on their fall 2011 Appalachian Treasures tour, Shane helped schedule a presentation at the Allegheny UU Church.

After seeing the presentation Shane organized, the Reverend David McFarland and the church board decided to sponsor us in the Share The Plate program. This was a tremendous honor, as all past recipients are predominantly from the greater Pittsburgh area.

We’re honored and thankful to receive this donation from the Allegheny Unitarian Universalist Church, and proud to have Shane Freeman as a supporter.