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Volunteer profile: Chuck White, Thrive

Henderson County News

Volunteer profile: Michael Willey, United Way

Picture is of both Christa and Michael Willey Cutline: Michael Willey United Way of Henderson County     What do you do in your volunteer job? “I sat on the panel for health and it really opened up our eyes just how United Way works in the community and where the money goes and why and really how strong a steward the United Way is. The homework and reading we had to do for each one of these grants was great so I garnered a high appreciation for what United Way does. I was not aware of the amount of organizations we have and what I was really touched by was how the organizations worked together. I thought that was pretty neat to see, especially with the kids’ stuff. I’m in their Rising Leaders group, which through a six-month program of two-hour sessions you basically learn how to be on the Board of Directors of a nonprofit. They also asked me to be a loaned executive, which is someone that goes out in the community within the different assigned companies that donate to the United Way in corporate settings. I told them my story and how I’ve seen United Way work that’s touching so many lives.” How long have you been volunteering? “I started working with the United Way this year. I would say over the past eight to 10 months.” Why do you volunteer? “Growing up in the nonprofit world, my father was a county sheriff for 30 years and my mother sat on the board of the nations’ largest nonprofit dealing with child abuse. Being involved in nonprofits was in my DNA. It’s rewarding to me on a personal level. I’ve always been brought up with nonprofit work and on top of that I want my children to see what we should be doing to assist others in our back yard that need help.” What’s the best thing about volunteering? “Touching people’s lives. The first rising leader class we went to an assisted living home and helped clean the floors of one of the residents who could not do a good job for herself. We know we cleaned the floors but also we were able to sit down one on one with her and really understand. It was just touching to see. She enjoyed the one and one time and was fulfilled as well. Touching people’s lives and being involved with that process.” If someone is interested in volunteering, what is the best advice you would give based on your own experience?   “I would say as far based on my experience, do what you can do to get involved in something that pulls your heartstrings, whether it’s children’s care or the elderly or animals, something that touches you and rewards you on a personal level. There’s so much need out there in the world today that finding seething is simple.” -30-   Read Story »

Hendersonville News

Volunteer profile: Carla Duncan, Boys & Girls Club

Carla Duncan Boys & Girls Club   What do you do in your volunteer job? “I work in the art room” for children K-5. “I help the children with different projects. Sometimes I just sit down and color with them one on one. I just do whatever comes up. Or I’ll just be a smile to them and ask them how their day went. I may be the only one who asks how their day went. K through 5th grade, some I see as gym and they’ll come up to me. How long have you been volunteering? “I’ve been around the club for about seven years but a full-fledged volunteer for about five years. My daughter, Bethany Adams, runs the art program.” Why do you volunteer? “Volunteering absolutely refuels me. My parents instilled in me at an early age how important it is to volunteer and give back and they modeled that for me my while life. My mom is 78 and has multiple disabilities and she still volunteers. It’s a wonderful feeling of giving back.” What’s the best thing about volunteering? “It’s seeing those kids’ faces’ smile and light up you when they see you and you’re picking up where you left off and asking how they’re feeling. You’re part of something bigger than yourself. If you make a difference in one child’s life it’s worth it.” How many kids are in the art room? “On Friday, it can be as small as five. Sometimes we’ve had 30 to 40 kids in a room and in the gym there’s a lot more.” If someone is interested in volunteering, what is the best advice you would give based on your own experience? “Wow. If you think you want to volunteer, don’t brush it off, act on it. Even if you’re having bad day just jump right in and volunteer. It’ll change your perspective. Friday is my day off (from her fulltime job). People ask me, ‘Why do you go in on your day off?’ I wouldn’t be anywhere else. My parents were in education their while lives so I understand the value of instilling values in children.”   Read Story »

Henderson County News

Volunteer profile: Sandy Brown, Garden Cafe, Pardee Hospital

Sandy Brown Pardee Hospital What do you do in your volunteer job? I volunteer in the Garden Café at Pardee Hospital. We wait on the customers-some are staff, and some are family members of patients who are either in surgery or in the hospital. I am also in Workshop 1 at Pardee. We make Teddy Bears for children who come to Pardee as patients via our 3 local Urgent Care facilities, the Emergency Department or those who are having surgery. I also make Christmas Stockings for babies born at Pardee during the holiday season. I also help with our outside sales events-including the Masquerade Sale, Shoe Sales and Collective Goods (formerly Books are Fun). How long have you been volunteering? I retired from my job in Florida, moved to Hendersonville in December of 1997 and began volunteering at Pardee Hospital in January of 1998 and I have been here since that time. Many years earlier, I was also a Candy Striper in a Florida hospital for 3 years while I was in high school.   Why do you volunteer?I want to make the customer’s visit as pleasant as it can be. Often family members are very stressed over loved ones who are in surgery or in the hospital. I am the calming presence for those folks. I enjoy working with people and meeting new people. Volunteering keeps my mind active and provides social engagement. What’s the best thing about volunteering? “The people. I have met many people who are very nice. I enjoy helping other people. The walking that I do while I am volunteering is beneficial to me as well. I also want to ‘give back’ to my community.” If someone is interested in volunteering, what is the best advice you would give based on your own experience? “You have to be positive, you have to be willing to understand other’s needs. Being flexible is a must. You have to be willing to work in different circumstances with a variety of people and accept change, because nothing stays the same forever.”     Read Story »

Henderson County News

Volunteer profile: Gordian “Bo” Boteilho, Interfaith Assistance Ministry

Gordian “Bo” Boteilho Interfaith Assistance Ministry   What do you do in your volunteer job?   My volunteer position is called a facilitator. A facilitator is fairly new position started maybe five or six years ago, I like to describe it as facilitating — move things along. We’re kind of the right or left hand to the intake managers. What we try to do is take away some of little things like answering phones, receiving documents when clients are required to bring documents back. We keep supplies — all that sort of thing that takes away time from intake manager, and we figure out how are we going to help the client, what agencies we may need. It’s a very busy position and no two days are alike. The other day I got a call from a women who said, “ How do I get help to bury my son, he passed away and I don’t have the money.’ One time there was a lady living with well water. Something happened and it got contaminated.” She could get city water but “they wanted $1,650 to get it hooked up. Between us and Salvation Army and several churches, we put it all together and got it hooked up. Those are the type of things that come up. For me personally, I also involved in the budget class, we call it dollars and sense, and I’m also involved in training some of the new volunteers.” How long have you been volunteering? It will be eight years in January. Why do you volunteer? Like most people, I want to give back to the community. I have gained a lot of benefits in my life so now it’s time to give some back. I’ve been very fortunate in my career and have been able to make some advances. I come from a very poor background. I’ve had some successes and now it’s time to give back. What’s the best thing about volunteering? The best thing about volunteering is you get to give back and at the same time you enjoy some of the other benefits such as seeing people being happy about solving a crisis situation when they didn’t know where to turn. It’s a good feeling, especially around back-to-school time when kids come in and get their new backpacks their school supplies. The joy on their faces is something to see. A family will come in with no heat. They leave in tears because the electricity is back on and they have food for their family. If that doesn’t warm your heart I don’t know what does. Believe it or not, even in volunteer jobs you also make new friends.   If someone is interested in volunteering, what is the best advice you would give based on your own experience? “Henderson County really has a significant community of retired people and most of those people were successful in their career. I was once told or read there are 126 charitable organizations in Henderson County, so certainly those looking to volunteer have a wide array of different agencies to choose from. I myself volunteer at two places and to me IAM is the best organized and has a process in place to succeed in supporting our motto, which is ‘a hand up and not a handout.’ When new volunteers come in they all confirm that we’re the best organization We have training in place to help them learn what to do. IAM is unique too in that one can volunteer as much or as little as one wants. They can volunteer in the pantry, in clothing, intake, special projects — wherever you feel most comfortable helping those in need and all the while you’re making new friends. It’s good for your health and it’s a Christian thing to do. You become a little cog and in a very big wheel.”   Read Story »

Henderson County News

Volunteer profile: Bob Winters, The Storehouse

BOB WINTERS The Storehouse   What do you do in your volunteer job? “At the Storehouse the normal routine is they have to come in and sign up and apply and there are people that accept their application and process them. A ticket is given to the people in the back and we put together a box of food for them, if they’re over 60, one box, if they’re under 60, two boxes. We also deliver to the shut-ins and that’s my job. Right now we have 35 on the shut-in list, and we drive to them once a month. And then we have to do odds and ends that show up in any business. Because I’m no good at building or repairing stuff and because (executive director) Lynn (Staggs) is such an angel, I’m able to do these jobs.” How long have you been volunteering?   “Since November 2002. It’s the longest of all the workers she has there.” Why do you volunteer? “I’m a Christian. And I do to have an attitude of gratitude for Jesus and all that he’s done for me. This is a chance for me to help and become a disciple.” What’s the best thing about volunteering? “Just that doing Jesus’s work for him, meeting all the people, not only on our staff but the people that come in for help and the people we’re calling on. We get to meet people and see their needs and they become our friends that way.” If someone is interested in volunteering, what is the best advice you would give based on your own experience? “My advice would be to go ahead and volunteer. Just sign up and see what there is to do. Obviously, it has to be something you like. If a person liked to repair stuff and build stuff there are ways to do that but if you want to help people you’re right there in the front line (at the Storehouse) and you can actually see your help right away. (Administrators) Lynn and Shelley both should have wings on their back and halos over their head.”   Read Story »

Henderson County News

Volunteer profile: Laura Cline

Laura Cline Blue Ridge Honor Flight   What do you do in your volunteer job? “I am the assistant secretary for Jeff Miller and Honor Flight. I take the minutes and also help with some event coordination. A special thing I really doing is I send out thank you letters and notes to all the volunteers and organizations that help us either through mail call or just special donors. I just enjoy helping Blue Ridge Honor Flight so much. It’s my favorite way to volunteer. It’s just a great group of people. There’s nothing like that time when you actually go to Washington. I would encourage anyone to go on a Honor Flight or help because it’s such a special memory. Anyway I can give back to those that have given so much it just makes me feel really good. The whole board works tirelessly. I think they always do so much. It’s really special to show the veterans a welcome home in a way they never had and maybe makes them feel in some ways that in spite of an awful experience (in war) it helps them maybe find some peace.” How long have you been volunteering? “Since May of 2017.”   Why do you volunteer?   “From the moment I heard of Blue Ridge Honor flight, I just thought wow that really sounds good. I can’t tell you how good it makes me feel inside to help them out.” A client of the architecture firm where she works had never seen the National World War II Memorial and wanted to go. She went as his guardian. “And ever since I’ve been hooked on helping them move forward. I asked if they need help with the minutes they said, yes, of course and I s special. A year ago in May.   What’s the best thing about volunteering?   “The best thing I think is seeing the smiles on their face and their eyes light up when they are being thanked as a veteran and I think it helps them heal from some old wounds. Honor Flights actually helps sooth those painful scars.”   If someone is interested in volunteering, what is the best advice you would give based on your own experience?   “I think that volunteering is the way you really have to live your life. One of my best friend’s mother said only thing that matters in this world is what you do for other people and I always remember that and think that kind of makes sense. Take that first step. Just call and say I want to help serve a meal or serve breakfast. Just doing anything really makes a big difference. Just reaching out and making that first start is a way to be really fulfilled in your life and give more meaning to your life than just your work or the things we have to do every day. I think it’s one of the best ways to give back to your community. To help make someone’s day a little bit brighter will make your day brighter. I can’t the thank the Honor Flight board enough for being there for me and for being my family and in every way that they help me.”     Read Story »

Henderson County News

Volunteer profile: Becky Varnadore

Becky Varnadore Historic Johnson Farm   What do you do in your volunteer job?  “Oh my goodness, anything that needs to be done. I’m the secretary of our advisory board and I am involved in any kind of activity we do in an ongoing basis. I help with field trips, any other programs and activities we have. We do different things throughout the year — the Teddy Bear Tea Party, fall events, Lunch and Learn, and I’m available for anything that needs to be done. I’m real involved in the festival coordination, our Christmas festival and our spring fest. I help do anything on the grounds that needs to be done, like restoration of old artifacts and tools. It’s great because it’s promoting the legacy of the Johnsons and the farm.” How long have you been volunteering? “We lived there when Leander was alive in 1978 and then after Leander passed away we had a home next door to farm in 1987. I’ve volunteered forever, ever since Leander died” and left the farm to the Henderson County school system for education. Why do you volunteer? “The farm is my main area of volunteerism and it is because the farm means so much to me personally. I want to promote the farm, to carry on the legacy of Vernon and Leander and what they intended their farm to be — a treasure and resource. It’s very satisfying work.” What’s the best thing about volunteering? “I think the best thing is seeing, just the interaction, particularly with children and families and seeing what joy a farm brings to them. It’s like a step back in time for kids and young parents that may never have had the farm experience. They’re getting away from the hustle and bustle and technology and getting back to earth and nature and things that Vernon and Leander loved so much.” If someone is interested in volunteering, what is the best advice you would give based on your own experience? “My advice would be to pick a volunteer area that you love and that you’re passionate about. (Pick a cause) that you’re really willing to give yourself to because when you do, it is something you will nurture and love and then all those qualities and characteristics are projected to those people. It just to have the passion and the love for the area you choose to volunteer.  That’s what we need in the world today — passionate people doing their work or volunteering.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

ICE KNOCKS OUT POWER FOR 4,400 CUSTOMERS

Ice overnight caused trees and power lines to go down throughout Henderson County, knocking out power to 4,486 homes and businesses on the holiday weekend. Duke Energy reported widespread power outages in Henderson and Buncombe counties and the town of Laurel Park also reported numerous trees down and urged residents to "please stay home even if you don't have power" to crews could clear roads and restore power. The ice won't last long. The National Weather Service called for a high of 54 today with the chance of drizzle or rain diminishing after 1 p.m. Sunday should be warmer yet with a high of 59. Laurel Park Town Manager Alison Alexander, reached as she was out surveying the town's 34 miles of roadway at midmorning Saturday, said Duke Energy crews had gotten power restored to most of Lower Laurel Park. "The upper part of the mountain doesn;t have power yet," she said. The latest forecast she had seen indicated all power would be restored by 11 o'clock Saturday night. "We've just had ice on the trees. We're cleanring the roads. The primary roads are clear, we're still working on some of the smaleler secondary roads but they'll be passable today.We have no reports of property damage from trees down." The ice had caused no major accidents or injuries and had not been severe enough to activate the county's emergency operations center. "It varies from location to location," Emergency Management Director Jimmy Brissie said of the ice buildup. "The southern part of the county and western part of the county seem to have more locations where there are trees down and power lines down than the rest of the county. The fire departments are all handling the calls with their regular operation." At 11 a.m. Duke Energy reported 1,768 outages in Laurel Park, 1,905 in Green River, 249 in Hendersonville, 223 in Flat Rock and 101 in Zirconia.   Read Story »

Henderson County News

The Lightning is on the street!

It's an early holiday gift — before Thanksgiving and Black Friday. The Lightning is on the street Tuesday and in homes of those (smart and lucky) Lightning subscribers on Wednesday.   Read Story »

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