Free Daily Headlines

Life

Set your text size: A A A

Volunteer profile: Becky Varnadore

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.