LEXINGTON, Ky. – (Nov. 8, 2022) Christian Appalachian Project (CAP) selected Shanna and John Elliott and Pat Huff as their 2023 Philanthropists of the Year during the National Philanthropy Day celebration. The family was recognized for more than 20 years of generous support of CAP’s mission of building hope, transforming lives, and sharing Christ’s love through service in Appalachia. This annual event is hosted by the Association of Fundraising Professionals.  

“CAP is blessed to have compassionate friends and advocates for our region like this family,” said Kevin Payne, CAP’s assistant vice president of philanthropy. “It takes us all to help ease the burdens children, their families, and seniors in Appalachia might face. The support we receive allows us to build a community of care for the people we serve and meet their most basic needs.”    

For many generations, the family has hailed from the picturesque mountains of Eastern Kentucky. With compassion and understanding for the challenges people in the region face, John and Shanna and Pat, who is Shanna’s mother, and her late husband, Dave, have generously and consistently offered support to CAP to help their neighbors in need in Appalachia.  

“We intimately understand the trials many residents in Eastern Kentucky face, often through no fault of their own,” said Shanna, who also served on CAP’s Board of Directors for more than a decade. “It is profoundly meaningful to us that Christian Appalachian Project offers various programs to assist these individuals in multifaceted ways.” 

With the generosity and help of donors, like this family, partners, volunteers, employees, and the communities we serve, CAP has grown to impact the lives of more than 1.5 million people each year through nine priorities, including programs that address food insecurity, substandard housing, disaster relief and recovery, and mental health. 

National Philanthropy Day celebrates the extraordinary change that fundraising and philanthropy have helped to create in our world. As part of National Philanthropy Day, individuals and organizations are honored for their outstanding charitable work in their local communities.