Henderson County News
Late last year Michael Willey had a casual conversation with someone he had just met about charitable organizations. The United Way came up.
“Where I’m from in Los Angeles, United Way has blackout days” that bar other agencies from fundraising, he said. “They had a fairly high cost with overhead. Not only that, you had to get your fundraising campaigns approved if you were a United Way-funded organization. That was my biggest issue.”
Willey shared those misgivings with a woman he was speaking with. She turned out to be Jessica Chipriano, the United Way’s operations coordinator.
“Oh no, what have I gotten myself into?” Willey said to himself. But he rolled with it and agreed to Chipriano’s invitation to come see the United Way operation here. Months later, Willey was doing three different volunteer jobs for the United Way. “I was glad” to be proven wrong. “It was perfect,” he said. “It was time for us.”
Michael and his wife, Christa, were starting to turn from rearing twin daughters to young adults — they’re on the way to college on rowing scholarships in the Northeast — and looking to engage in community work.
“Once the objections for me were overcome, I understood more clearly,” Willey said. “The overhead is extremely low at our United Way. The Medical Loan closet, which is a great organization, probably wouldn’t exist without the United Way.”
Denise Cumbee Long, the United Way’s executive director, calls Willey a converted non-believer. She nominated Michael and Christa to be among the Lightning’s Season of Giving profiles in volunteering. They’re “a wonderful example of a United Way husband and wife volunteer team,” she said.
The Willeys also model what nonprofit leaders describe as two most critical factors when choosing a nonprofit to invest time and energy in: Find a cause you’re passionate about, investigate the organization and make good on your commitment of time.
‘Have a heart for the mission’
The Lightning surveyed 15 nonprofit leaders across Henderson County to find out what makes a good volunteer, what makes a good board member and what are examples of services nonprofits provide that save taxpayers’ money. (Hint: It amounts to millions of dollars’ worth.)
When it came to volunteer service — on the front lines or the boardroom — the word passion came up over and over.
A good volunteer “is truly devoted to the cause and believes in it, not just involved for the sake of being involved,” said Marybeth Burns, vice president of Blue Ridge Honor Flight.
“First and foremost,” said Pardee Foundation’s Kim Hinkelman, “a volunteer needs to have a heart for the mission of the organization. This is something that is coming from a passion and willingness to make a place, an organization, or a community better.”
“Enthusiasm,” said Karla Reese, manager of Pardee’s volunteer services, makes for an effective volunteer experience. “When a person is enthusiastic, you can see it right away — it’s contagious.”
The “small group of volunteers” that founded Four Seasons hospice 40 years ago would agree that “a great volunteer is made up of many amazing qualities,” said Callie Davis, Four Seasons’ marketing director. “They are enthusiastic about the work that they are doing and take great pride in the outcomes. They have passion and it shows in every interaction they have. A great volunteer is selfless, compassionate, and reliable.”
Besides passion and enthusiasm, nonprofit leaders also emphasized the need for volunteers to be flexible.
“A good volunteer is someone who has a heart for service and passion for the work that your charity does,” said Elizabeth Willson Moss, executive director of Interfaith Assistance Ministry. “In IAM’s case, our volunteers serve because they want to help their neighbors — children, women and men — who are in financial crisis and need a compassionate hand-up during their difficult times. They are team players, kind-hearted, reliable, committed, engaged and flexible enough to roll with the punches when additional needs arise.”
Added McCray Benson, the president of the Community Foundation: “They have no reservations when it comes to lending a hand, even with mundane ‘chores,’ and are willing to support and/or assist in fundraising efforts.”
‘Interview key leaders’
Henderson County has more than 300 nonprofit organizations, most of which are hungry for volunteers. So a volunteer ought to be able find a job that suits his or her talents.
“Ask questions about the mission and purpose, so you know it fits with who you are and what you hope to offer,” Hinkelman said.
Making an appointment for an on-site visit is a good start.
“Get to know people who are already established volunteers at the organization and ask questions,” said Julia Hockenberry, executive director of the Boys & Girls Club. “Visiting and observing volunteer activities before making a commitment also ensures a good fit.”
Other tips:
“Tour the agencies you are considering and really understand if your passions line up with their mission,” said Kristen Martin, the executive director of Thrive, a mental health agency for adults. “If you believe in the cause, it is easy to support them in time.”
“Once you’ve made the commitment, please show up unless you are sick or have a personal crisis,” Moss said. “Be a team player. If you don’t like the organization you’re volunteering for, leave and try another one.”
“Interview and visit with key leaders of the organization,” Benson said. “Be willing to review the attributes of what a good volunteer is for that organization and reflect on whether it’s a good fit for you both.”
‘Doers who walk the talk’
Although board service may be less physically demanding than repairing roofs, loading canned goods or coaching 8-year-olds, commitment and enthusiasm are no less important, the nonprofit leaders told us.
“Great board members tend to be great listeners who are highly attuned to the needs of the organization as well as the needs in the community,” Hockenberry said. “Great board members also demonstrate courage and initiative as advocates. They are doers who know how to walk the talk.”
“Show up — mentally, emotionally, with curiosity and creative interest,” Benson said. “Drop in on the organization. Be alert to what it is doing in the community and alternatively be alert to where in the community the organization could be to best serve its mission.”
What makes a good board member?
“A good board member prepares for and attends all of the board meetings and is involved in at least one committee, attends the nonprofit’s events and donates funds to the nonprofit,” Moss said. “A good board member is also an ambassador in the community for your nonprofit.”
“A great board member asks the tough questions and uses that knowledge to further the mission by volunteering and recruiting other volunteers and donations,” Martin said.
“Commitment of time, treasures and talent – it’s a ‘churchy’ phrase, but works well for any volunteer board situation,” Hinkelman said.
Patching the safety net
If it weren’t nonprofits, families in crisis would go without, creeks would be trashier, more dogs and cats would be put down, some children would go hungry and the frail and elderly would be cold in winter. But for the organizations that patch holes in the social safety net, taxpayers would pay more. Donations from individuals, corporations and foundations plus free labor by hundreds of volunteers enable nonprofits to step in where public aid stops.
The Community Foundation “distributed more than $3.5 million this last year to 297 nonprofit organizations,” Benson said. “Almost all of these organizations use volunteers and according to a recent report by the Federal Reserve volunteers stretch the value of the dollars contributed on average by 50 percent more than the amount contributed. … We’re invested in the Leader-in-Me program at our public schools, helping to fund those addressing addiction, building better health care for each generation, supporting access to the arts, strengthening civic engagement, helping care for animals, enhancing early childhood development and much more.”
For the absurdly low annual membership fee of $5, the Boys & Girls Club offers tutoring, enhanced arts, music and education, sports, science, field trips and more — and every single member graduates.
“Compared to the high school graduate — a dropout costs taxpayers an average of $292,000 over a lifetime,” Hockenberry said. “The Boys & Girls Club of Henderson County has maintained a 100 percent high school graduation rate since 2009.”
We tend to think government programs make sure people don’t go hungry, lose electricity in a cold snap or go to kindergarten with two left shoes. A nonprofit is often the court of last resort for the needy.
“Through October 2018, Interfaith Assistance Ministry has helped more than 10,000 children and adults through utility bill and heating assistance, rent assistance, a full week’s worth of three meals a day of nutritious food, clothing that fits, bus tickets, gasoline vouchers, prescription assistance, school supplies, blankets, linens, diapers, personal hygiene items, rides home from IAM, free budget and tobacco cessation classes, an action plan, scholarship funds and a Working Women’s Clothing Closet to help women who can’t afford interview clothing and special clothing for manufacturing, food service, nursing and other professions with the needed clothing and shoes to accept a better paying job,” Moss said. When a client has a need IAM can’t cover, the agency refers the person to a sister agency that specializes in that area, such as legal aid or medical care.
At Thrive, “our Day Program helps adults with severe and persistent mental illnesses stay healthy and stable and decrease hospitalizations that they can’t afford, thus saving the taxpayer dollars,” Martin said. “Our Representative Payee and Housing Program helps to ensure long-term housing stability through assisting in payment of basic needs such as prescriptions, rent, utilities, and food first.”
Through its Women Helping Women program, the Pardee Foundation provides free medical care to uninsured women. “For over 20 years women have gathered to raise dollars and awareness in our community — it started with providing free mammograms and has expanded to any health issue a woman faces.”
Rewarded with smiles
A can of beef stew, a new pair of sneakers for the first day of school, a wheelchair loaned for free, a home repair or a winter coat are tangible donations nonprofits make.
Ask a volunteer what they love about volunteering and one intangible invariably comes up: smiles.
“I think the best thing is just the interaction, particularly with children and families and seeing what joy a farm brings to them,” said Becky Varnadore, a veteran volunteer at Historic Johnson Farm.
“It’s a good feeling, especially around back-to-school time when kids come in and get their new backpacks their school supplies,” said IAM volunteer Bo Boteilho. “The joy on their faces is something to see.”
“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,” said Carla Duncan, who volunteers in the art room at the Boys & Girls Club.
“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,” Blue Ridge Honor Flight volunteer Laura Cline said.
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Henderson County News
Patsy Farmer Jones
Pardee Hospital Foundation
What do you do in your volunteer job?
Right now this year I am serving as vice chair of government. I start each meeting welcome everyone and do a short invocation of sorts. Last Friday I was in charge of our annual retreat at the foundation office. We have 19 on our board. It’s a great group of individuals from our community. I had a goodie bag for everyone. They had never done that before and I said, ‘Why not? Let’s do something fun.’ This special time for this retreat is always a breakaway from our regular business meeting. Our Pardee Foundation serves as a funding agent for Pardee Hospital through our annual fund, major gifts and capital campaign. One of the exciting things I took part in was the cancer center campaign. In November of 2016 our DAR chapter, Joseph McDowell, celebrated our centennial.” The chapter decided to mark the centennial by making a donation to a charitable cause. It raised $11,000 for the nurse navigator room at the center.
How long have you been volunteering?
“My term started in 2016 and it goes through 2019. Prior to that I was a volunteer for some of the wonderful events we have to raise money — the cornhole tournament, the Pardee Gala, Women Helping Women. I retired (from teaching) in 2001 and since then different groups have picked me up. The opportunity to work with the Pardee Foundation has been one of the most rewarding things. My father owned Hendersonville Paving and Fletcher Asphalt and he was a personal friend of (Pardee president) Bill Jamison. Mother volunteered for 25 years as a pink lady. All of that started with my wanting to be part of this because I’m sort of continuing the volunteering my family did in the years past.”
Why do you volunteer?
“I volunteer because I want to give back. I’m serving on this board to give back to the community. I feel like it’s such a strong foundation that the quality time is worth it and it’s important to me. When my family planted the seed of volunteering — my mother, my dad, my sister, (son and daughter-in-law) Bradley and Ibby, I just want to continue that. I want to be right in the flow of being involved with Pardee Hospital and the Pardee Foundation.”
What’s the best thing about volunteering?
“One of the best things to me about volunteering is meeting individuals and being connected to individuals in the community. I would never have had an opportunity to meet these people had I not become involved with the Foundation. This is a great, giving group of people who want to make a difference. I feel blessed. I don’t take it for granted at all. Volunteering to me is one of the highlights of everything I have done.”
If someone is interested in volunteering, what is the best advice you would give based on your own experience?
“To be connected with and to let people know that you want to spend time with an organization. I think people have to speak up and just say, ‘This is wonderful, I’d love to be part of it.’ … We are truly truly blessed that so many people have stepped up to give to the Pardee Foundation and to Pardee Hospital.”
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Henderson County News
John Bell
Community Foundation of Henderson County
What do you do in your volunteer job?
“I was chairman and immediate past chair as of June 30. I helped with budget when I came on. I was on the board of the Boys and Girls Club and I moved over to the Community Foundation and that was probably 10 years ago. They moved me to the board about eight years ago. I stayed on the investment committee — in fact I’m still on the investment committee — and I serve on several different committees, even though I’m no longer on the board. After six years they figure that you’ve been around enough. As past chair you stay on two more years so I served eight years.”
How long have you been volunteering?
“Golly, I think in some form or another in a lot of different places for 40 or 50 years. I did the United Way when I got out of the service and volunteered with several civic clubs and of course time at church as well.” (St. John in the Wilderness.)
Why do you volunteer?
“I think it’s important to use your time, talent and treasure in many different ways and I try to do what I can. My experience has been in the investment field so I work on finance and investments. I think time is probably the most key thing you can provide. That’s what I’ve been able to do.”
What’s the best thing about volunteering?
“The best thing about volunteering is the satisfaction you get from contributing to a cause or to the community. It’s something that, if you haven’t volunteered, I think you might not understand. It’s the satisfaction of knowing that you’re doing something for others and not for yourself.”
If someone is interested in volunteering, what is the best advice you would give based on your own experience?
“I think the most important thing that anyone who volunteers needs to take into consideration is that they are interested and have passion for the organization. If you’re not interested and passionate about the nonprofit then you’re not a good volunteer. You have to have the time and be willing to commit the time but the key is you have to have an interest and passion. Sometimes you’ll find people that volunteer because their friend asked them to and they really don’t have an interest and they kind of fall by the wayside.”
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Henderson County News
Chuck White
Thrive
What do you do in your volunteer job?
“I help pick and move furniture and donations and things like. I help load them, move them and set them up” at homes Thrive finds for clients.
How long have you been volunteering?
“About six months. I moved here about 11 years ago. I’m chair of the Joseph Center,” a ministry of First United Methodist Church.
Why do you volunteer?
“I was raise that way. My family didn’t grow up with a lot. We appreciated what we had and we tried to help other people when we had the chance.”
What’s the best thing about volunteering?
“Just knowing you’ve made the place a lot better that day.”
If someone is interested in volunteering, what is the best advice you would give based on your own experience?
“First thing would just be to volunteer. Have have that in your head and then second. look for something that’s meaningful to you. I’ve done a lot of stuff for folks that need housing and that’s always appealed to me because I’ve always had one. That’s part of what Thrive’s mission — to help folks who need housing. They find them housing and I help with some furniture.” That’s a lot of heavy lifting. Do you work out a lot? “This is how I work out a lot.” Read Story »
Henderson County News
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.”
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Hendersonville News
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
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.”
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Henderson County News
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 »
