My Founding Story

 

Dear Heart of Braxton, Inc. began before it became a nonprofit. It started with a small newspaper column I wrote under the name “Dear Heart of Braxton.” For twelve weeks, I shared honest reflections about family, misunderstanding, compassion, and the hope that people could find their way back to each other. One of my letters opened with:

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“Dear Heart of Braxton, I am trying to understand where some of my family is coming from.”

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That column wasn’t widely known, and I felt it didn’t need to be. I believed it reached the people who needed it, deeply enough that a few wrote in. Their willingness to trust my voice with their questions inspired me to believe that even the smallest acts of honesty and kindness can create real connection.

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The name “Dear Heart of Braxton” stayed with me. It represented the tenderness, resilience, and quiet strength I saw in our community. Over time, the heart behind those letters grew into a vision: creating real‑world spaces where people could come together, celebrate local culture, and strengthen community bonds.

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From that simple beginning, Dear Heart of Braxton, Inc. was formed. Today, the organization carries forward the same spirit as the column — promoting community cohesion, cultural enrichment, and civic pride through public fairs, festivals, and events that bring neighbors together in Gassaway and throughout Braxton County.