Granny’s Attic Distributes $170,000 to 23 Clay County Non-Profits

(Photo from Granny's Attic) Recipients, front row left to right: Lori McClure - The Still Place , Debbie Graham - New Digs for Dogs, JoAnna Atkisson -Clay County Communities Revitalization Association, Sue Lynn Ledford - Four Square Community Action, Jeanne Strack - Puppies Under Protection, Robin Sinay -Wonderland Animal Sanctuary, Reba Beck -Clay County Historical and Arts Council. Second Row: Hannah Miller - Clay Co Community for Students, Jacquine - Hinton Center, Amy Gibby -Still Waters Landing, Greg Utech - American Legion 532, Sue Scott - Animal Rescue Financial Support. Back Row: Det. Steven Smith - Clay County K-9 Initiative, Todd Goins, Clay Co Hearts for Kids and Seniors, Bob McGinnis - St Vincent Depaul, Pam Cray - Brasstown Community Center, Dwight McClure - Clay Co Veterans Memorial Park, Matt Brubaker - Truett Camp, hiding next to Matt is Tom Landis - Hayesville First United Methodist Church The Gathering Place, Sandy Benson - Peacock Performing Arts Center in Hayesville, NC, Michael Avery - Wonderland Animal Sanctuary, Stacie Ledford - Rock Bottom Recovery. (Not pictured) Maggie Butler - Matt's Ministry

Staff Report

Granny’s Attic, the all-volunteer thrift store that has anchored Clay County since 1985, awarded $170,000 in grants to 23 local organizations during its annual presentation ceremony held Thursday, December 11.

This year’s recipients are:

• American Legion Post 532

• Animal Rescue Financial Support

• Brasstown Community Center

• Clay County for Students

• Clay County Hearts for Kids and Seniors

• Clay County Historical and Arts Association

• Clay County Community Revitalization

• Clay County K-9 Initiative

• Four Square Community Action

• HFUMC The Gathering Place

• Hinton Center

• Matt’s Ministry

• Mountain Beautification & Revitalization Association

• New Digs for Dogs

• Peacock Performing Arts

• Puppies Under Protection

• Rock Bottom Recovery

• Saint Vincent DePaul

• The Still Place

• Still Water Landing

• Truett Camp

• Wonderland Animal Sanctuary

Located at 200 Hwy 64 West next to Subway, Granny’s Attic opened on June 13, 1985, in memory of Marie Hansbauer—known to everyone as Grandma—who passed away earlier that year at age 92.

A retired nurse from Ohio, Hansbauer moved to Murphy in 1967 to fulfill a promise to God after her son married. She began working with Good Shepherd Home Health and Hospice and was soon asked by Father Roland Hautz to organize rummage sales in Hayesville to help those in need. Forced to relocate seven times—including twice because landlords refused Catholic tenants—she eventually moved operations to her own basement.

Grandma Hansbauer became beloved across religious and economic lines for opening her home to battered spouses, unwed mothers, recovering alcoholics, and anyone else in crisis. Each Christmas she threw massive parties for impoverished children in Clay and Cherokee Counties, ensuring every child received a personally wrapped gift.

After her death, friends and neighbors established Granny’s Attic to continue her work. Forty years later, hundreds of dedicated volunteers keep every dollar raised in the community through the thrift store’s daily operations.

Granny’s Attic is always looking for new volunteers. Applications are available at the store during business hours.

The full story of Grandma Hansbauer’s remarkable life is pinned at the top of the Granny’s Attic Facebook page.

In Clay County, her spirit of boundless compassion lives on—one donation, one volunteer, one grant at a time.