BRCO functions through the activities of committees whose members conduct the mission and vision of the organization.
Beautification
Housed in the 1885 Bethel Presbyterian Church, BRCO accepts its preservation responsibility of enhancing the appearance of the 140-year-old facility that serves as its community center. BRCO strives to preserve its building while also making historically appropriate upgrades. The job of the Beautification Committee is to outline upkeep and upgrade projects.
Benevolence
BRCO supports local schools and individuals-in-need through financial/utilities/humanitarian assistance. Projects have included vision and dental assistance, aid to families suffering flood or fire damage, children's Christmas funds (including the "Shop with the Cops" Christmas project), support for families who have suffered the loss of a child, and aid to children in transition who find themselves without permanent housing. The organization has also provides funds to the following non-profit organizations: Buy Haywood, Center Pigeon Fire Department, Haywood County Historical & Genealogical Society, Haywood Waterways, Lake Logan Fire Department, the Museum of NC Handicrafts in Shelton House, and Preservation NC.
Building and Grounds
The Beautification Committee determines appropriate restoration and enhancement projects for the 1885 community center building and grounds, The duty of the Buildings and Grounds Committee is to ensure that those projects are completed. The B & G Committee is also tasked with ongoing lawn maintenance as well as the upkeep of the two onsite gardens: the circle garden and the rain garden.
Education
BRCO supports the education of its citizens by featuring speakers who focus on interesting and relevant topics at the bi-monthly meetings. The organization has also provided speaker/programs for local educational efforts. Members regularly attend workshops and meetings to educate themselves about topics relevant to the organization’s mission. In addition, BRCO selects a graduating Pisgah High School senior to receive a scholarship. A Bethel Middle School graduating eighth grader receives the David Curphy Citizenship Award. The Education Committee grants high achieving students in English and STEM classes with achievement awards.
Food Pantry
BRCO partners with MANNA and other grocers to supply food products to families in need. Local churches and other donors provide financial support for the program. Food Pantry distribution is the 2nd Wednesday of each month from 9:00 a.m. - 10:30 a.m.
The “You Choose” pantry day allows people to come in and shop on the fourth Wednesday from 9:00 – 10:00 a.m. Emergency boxes are available upon request.
Historic Preservation
BRCO emphasizes the collection, documentation, and education about the history of Bethel. The committee also encourages restoration projects that define the cultural legacy of the area. The Historic Preservation Committee's preservation and education efforts began in 2005 with the Cold Mountain Heritage Tours. Since then, the group has installed six local historic markers and has produced nine books, three DVDs, two CDs, and thirty-one historic art prints. The NC Society of Historians has granted the committee and members six state history awards, including the prestigious Lighthouse Award for our art prints. The committee grants an annual Pigeon Valley Award for Historic Preservation to individuals who promote the preservation of Bethel culture and history. We provide maintenance for the historic Pigeon Gap Watering Hole and are contributing members of the Haywood County Historical & Genealogical Society and Preservation NC.
Rural Preservation
BRCO recognizes that the quality of rural life is preserved by retaining our farming heritage, promoting sustainable agriculture, protecting farmland, wild lands, and waterways while also educating farmers and residents. This focus has allowed BRCO to support continuation of the agrarian culture that has existed for over two thousand years in Bethel. The committee conceived of and continues to support the Haywood Advancement Foundation's Buy Haywood project that was designed to support local farmers by marketing local farm products, events, and activities with a distribution of the Agri-Tourism map. The WNC Livestock Center, implemented by WNC Communities, owes conceptualization to BRCO's Rural Preservation Committee. BRCO has enrolled over 1,100 acres in the Enhanced Voluntary Agricultural District and has assisted in placing 12 parcels of 543 acres of land into permanent conservation easement along with 5,048 feet of river frontage and 15,436 feet of other stream footage. Two DVDs, one of which was distributed statewide, describe our rural conservation projects. Haywood Waterways granted BRCO the Pigeon River Award for its outstanding land and water conservation efforts, and WNC Communities awarded BRCO the first Impact Award for the Rural Preservation Committee's farm coupon program.