About Ann and Pennies of Promise - Click here to donate

My very dear friend, Ann Porter, passed away suddenly at the end of 2006. Ann was an enthusiastic supporter of the hopes and dreams of so many, and when she became interested in a cause, little could stop her passionate efforts to help out.

In the last couple of years of her life, Ann became very concerned about and active in the effort to better the lives of people in West Virginia who have been affected by the mountaintop removal activities of some coal-mining companies. She went to West Virginia several times, saw firsthand the environmental destruction, learned of the health consequences, spoke with educators about the need for more schools in these communities, raised money for the effort, met with the governor of the state, and enlisted the support of teachers in New York.

On Ann’s birthday at the end of 2007, I had the privilege of singing a song I had written for her at a show at Don’t Tell Mama in New York City. It had to be a blues – Ann loved the blues. I am profoundly grateful for the help of Abigail Lumsden, Les Horan, Rolando Gori and our beautiful audience in making “Ann’s Song” come alive that evening. You can check out the video at the bottom of this page.

Please help me to honor Ann and continue her efforts by making a donation to Pennies of Promise, the organization Ann was so involved in at the end of her life. As a thank you, you will receive a free download of our recording of Ann’s Song, as well as a special bonus download. Be sure to read the important notes about donating and downloading below.

Pennies of Promise is a grass roots effort comprised of local citizens of the Coal River Valley, WV, and other concerned fellow Appalachians, in the absence of help from their elected officials. The Marsh Fork School is surrounded by a massive coal mining operation that includes a coal silo train load-out 200 feet away, a preparation plant that uses chemical scrubbers within 250 yards, and a mammoth seeping toxic sludge dam containing over two billion gallons of coal waste pointed directly at the school from 400 yards up hill. The mission of Pennies of Promise is to ensure the safety of the children who attend Marsh Fork Elementary School near Sundial, WV, by raising the awareness and funds necessary to result in the construction of a new school in a safe area of the community.

Thank you for any help you can give. Please click here to donate.

With love,
Heidi