The Bethel Rural Community Organization is a group of like-minded people, whose membership resides in the Bethel Community. As we see it, our most pressing objective is to enhance and preserve our rural way of life. The funds we raise come primarily from either the proceeds or donations from an annual race we hold in our Community,and an historical heritage tour. Typically, with the exception of the grant provided by the Haywood County Commissioners, there is no other significant and consistent outside funding.
As a group we have no communal properties, or holdings with the exception of a checking account: Wachovia #############. Consequently, our quarterly meetings, our pre-race administrative logistics, the preparation of the post-race refreshments are made possible by the generosity of a local church, The Bethel Presbyterian Church.

Why We Make A Difference

We believe we represent the majority in our district that wish not only to enhance the rural quality of life in our valley, but also to preserve it. Our leadership leans toward thwarting un-wanted development in our valley, threatening toward those ends. To wit: our involvement with the fight against the extension of sewer and water lines into the Central Pigeon Valley, and our endeavor to put our Valley under the auspices of the North Carolina Farm Land Preservation Trust program, thereby assisting our farmers to hold onto their productive farm lands in their present state.
Additionally, we conduct our mission of enhancing the quality of life: by providing for those in special circumstances; by showering our local schools with money for worthwhile projects; by providing a one-time large cash payment for the construction of the aforementioned jogging and walking track; by assisting our local schools with large monetary projects, such as the acquisition of Bethel School playground equipment; by mainaining a food bank, and participating in the MANNA food program; by being very active in the preservation of our rural are; and by generating excitement in the Community with our annual race, and projects such as our Heritage Weekend, a tour we administer to allow people to see the inside of some of our most respected historical homes.

THE DIFFERENCE WE MAKE IS REAL.