Flat Rock Park Foundation announces major gift, estate of Richard Eppler, Jr. (March 14, 2016)

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Flat Rock, North Carolina, March 14, 2016 – The Flat Rock Park and Recreation Foundation, Inc. today announced the receipt of a generous gift, totaling $230,886, from the Estate of Richard J. Eppler, Jr.

Maurean Adams, development director for the Flat Rock Park and Recreation Foundation, recounts the significance of this gift to the Park at Flat Rock. “All gifts to develop The Park at Flat Rock have been important in growing the Village’s vision for the Park, Welcome Center, Playground, Pavilion, trails and other amenities that the public now enjoys and uses to improve their health and well-being. This gift from local resident, Richard Eppler, is particularly important to the Park’s development.

"It can be rare in the work of a relatively new foundation, such as ours, to receive a gift of this size. It will make an impact in the development of The Park at Flat Rock, so much so that we hope other financial advisors in our community will be working with their clients to consider gifts that inspire others to give. Such is the case with the gift from Mr. Eppler’s estate. According to his advisor, Ryan Harman/Edward Jones, Mr. Eppler’s desire was to see the Park continue to improve and benefit Henderson County and Flat Rock, but also to inspire businesses and individuals to grow his gift for the future. We are so appreciative of his thinking and generosity.”

Ryan Harman/Edward Jones stated, “Mr. Eppler, a long-time friend and client, became motivated to research the impact of several local nonprofit organizations after the death of his wife Agnes in 2013. Remembering fondly her enjoyment of the former Highland Lake Golf Course and its natural surroundings, Dick became interested in the development of The Park at Flat Rock. He wanted a way to share the happiness that he and Agnes had found in the Flat Rock community. Mr. Eppler was also a very astute businessman and understood that money 'needed to be put to work' and wanted his gift to inspire and challenge others in the community and to use his gift as a catalyst to raise the level of support for the Park an additional $1 million dollars.”

The Flat Rock Park and Recreation Foundation Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization founded in 2013 by the Village of Flat Rock, North Carolina to help raise the funds required to fulfill the vision of a signature municipal park for the community. That vision includes opportunities for recreation, health, and education for all generations while preserving the natural beauty that draws visitors from far and wide to Western North Carolina. In the Foundation’s short history since its founding in late 2013, gifts and grants to the Park now total over $800,000 to support Park projects.

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If you would like more information about this topic, please contact Maurean Adams at (828) 697-8100 or email at maurean_adams@villageofflatrock.org.