Proceeds from fundraising events and the sale of licensed “Friends of Coal” merchandise are used to fund the Giving Hearts program. Giving Hearts provides Christmas for children and teens from various schools and communities by delivering toys, games, clothing, and food to support them throughout the holiday season and beyond. We also provide support for the public library. Mack Toy Fund’s stuffed animals are distributed through local volunteer fire departments. Toys are provided for distribution through “Toys for Tots,” Raleigh County Head Start, and the St. Francis DeSales Giving Tree project. Blankets and food boxes are given to Beckley First Baptist Church to support their outreach to needy families in the community. We work closely with both the state and national Fraternal Order of Police to acquire and distribute an extraordinary number of toys to children across the region each year.

We take pride in supporting Brian’s Safehouse, Sparrow’s Nest, AWAY Women’s Resource Center, and Pine Haven Homeless Shelter, four of the most important and life-changing organizations in our community. Brian’s Safehouse and Sparrow’s Nest provide a twelve-month residential program for men and women who are battling addiction and substance abuse disorder. We provide essential supplies including equipment, furniture, linens, and toiletry items to support these organizations in carrying out their critical missions.

We have a standing commitment to veterans and military families in the region. We work closely with the Beckley VA Medical Center and routinely undertake a range of activities directly benefiting veterans such as decorating the facility, providing bird feeders and outdoor furniture, having a bookcase built to house reading materials, and supplying such things as puzzles, socks, fishing gear, kitchen items, and laundry detergent. We also organize and fund monthly birthday celebrations for veterans served at the Beckley campus. During the holiday season, children of deployed military persons are given toys, food, and clothing.

Developed in 2008, Coal in the Classroom is designed to introduce 3rd and 4th grade students to the importance of coal in West Virginia. The program includes the instructional resource, “Let’s Learn About Coal,” and a companion packet of supplies. Students engage with guest speakers with expertise in various coal-related occupations and learn about the various byproducts of coal. The culminating activity is a visit to the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine where each student receives a T-shirt, miner’s hat, Mr. Coal stuffed dog, and a tour of the mine and coal camp.

We are proud to support the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine, a national historic landmark and one of the region’s leading tourist attractions. In collaboration with the Civilian Conservation Corps, we developed an architectural design for renovating the Beckley Exhibition Coal Mine. We enhanced the visitor experience by providing funding for The Friends of Coal Depot, a weather-protected visitor waiting area. We also provided digital displays to present historical and current information to visitors. Information, resources, and collectibles such as stickers, wristbands, and license plates are distributed from a dedicated table at the site.

We undertake conservation and beautification projects to enhance the quality of life in our community. We often work with other organizations such as the World Organization of the Scout Movement during the World Scout Jamboree to complete these projects.

We have been awarding traditional and nontraditional scholarships to high school students since 2014. Any student related to someone who is currently or previously employed in the coal industry is eligible to apply for a scholarship. All proceeds from the annual Friends of Coal Ladies Auxiliary Golf Tournament are directed to the scholarship program.

Click on the link to complete the online application, or download and complete the PDF if you prefer to mail your application.