It's no secret, most of us would like to stay in our own home as we age. Yet, sometimes our loved ones just need a little extra help to remain comfortable at home. That's where Always Best Care can help....we are dedicated to exceeding expectations....always.
They say that your golden years are the best years of your life. For most older Americans, that's how it should be - a time to relax, reflect, and live life in a familiar place. After all, senior citizens in the U.S. have worked tirelessly to build a better economy, serve their communities, and raise families.
However, as seniors grow older, completing daily tasks like showering and enjoying activities such as visiting the historic Duke Homestead gets harder without someone by their side. Unfortunately, many older Americans aren't able to rely on their adult children for help. The reality in today's world is that family members do not have the skills or time to dedicate to caring for their parents. That's where Always Best Care Senior Services comes in.
Our in-home care services are for people who prefer to stay at home as they grow older but need ongoing care that family or friends cannot provide. More and more older adults prefer to live far away from long-term, institutionalized facilities and closer to the place where they feel most comfortable - their home. Home care in Volunteer, NC is a safe, effective way to give your loved ones the care they need when they need it the most.
Home Care Services
Service AreasSince 1996, Always Best Care has provided non-medical in-home care for seniors to help them maintain a healthy lifestyle as they get older. We are proud to have helped more than 25,000 seniors maintain higher levels of dignity and respect. We focus on providing seniors with the highest level of in-home care available so that they may live happily and independently.
Unlike some senior care companies, we genuinely want to be included in our clients' lives. We believe that personalized care is always the better option over a "one size fits all" approach. To make sure our senior clients receive the best care possible, we pair them with compassionate caregivers who understand their unique needs. That way, they may provide care accordingly without compromising their wellbeing.
The Always Best Care difference lies in life's little moments - where compassionate care and trustworthy experience come together to help seniors live a fruitful, healthy life. Whether you are an aging adult that can't quite keep up with life's daily tasks or the child of a senior who needs regular in-home services, Always Best Care is here to help.
“Looking for a placement is always difficult for a family. Contacting Sandy to help was”
“I have been working for ABC for two years now, and I am very grateful”
“Such a wonderful place to work! Caregivers that genuinely care with office support that go”
“I bn with this company for Abt a year and I love working for them”
“I cannot say enough good things about this company and the caregivers they provided after”
“This company is TOP-NOTCH! Incredibly helpful and super friendly. If you’re looking for a part-time”
“Sandy is very knowledgeable of assisted living options in the Winston Salem area. She helped”
“I highly recommend Sandy Bowen with Always Best Care. I called her with a very”
“The staff and caretakers are wonderful. Would absolutely recommend to anyone who needs at home”
“These folks are so helpful! They care about their clients and it shows in the”
“The staff and caretakers are wonderful. Would absolutely recommend to anyone who needs at home”
“During an unexpected hospital stay, Joanne provided much needed assistance. She provided excellent care and”
“If you are looking for attentive, quality home care look no further than Joanne and”
“Looking for a placement is always difficult for a family. Contacting Sandy to help was the best option. She was familiar with all assisted living/memory care facilities around town and was quick to respond to the family with tours. She delivered FL2 forms to physician's and made the transition an easy process. I recommend Sandy 100 % for any family needing a smaller community for their elderly family member.”
“I have been working for ABC for two years now, and I am very grateful for my position. The staff are acceptable, the clients are lovely, and the environments are professional. I highly recommend PCAs and CNAs to apply.”
“Such a wonderful place to work! Caregivers that genuinely care with office support that go above and beyond for staff/clients. Highly recommend for employment and senior in-home care support.”
“I bn with this company for Abt a year and I love working for them . They work with you,they care about ur personal life/ problems, really good at matching you with good clients..”
“I cannot say enough good things about this company and the caregivers they provided after my mom's recent accident and stay in a rehab facility. The staff were constantly in communication with us keeping us abreast of any little or big updates. Their attitudes were always helpful and they seemed to genuinely care. The caregivers they sent to sit with and take care of mom were EXCELLENT. I'm not sure how many different caregivers she had over the few weeks of her stay but there wasn't a single one that wasn't kind and extremely helpful. It took a tremendous load off of everyone in our family knowing that she was being well cared for when we couldn't be there. Thank you to Brandi, Joanne, Gina, and anyone I'm missing for everything you all did for us from the beginning of the process all the way to my mom's release today. Hopefully, we won't need your services again, but if we do, I know who I will be calling!”
“This company is TOP-NOTCH! Incredibly helpful and super friendly. If you’re looking for a part-time in caregiving, this is it! ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️”
“Sandy is very knowledgeable of assisted living options in the Winston Salem area. She helped with a family member’s search with care and consideration. We highly recommend.”
“I highly recommend Sandy Bowen with Always Best Care. I called her with a very tight timeframe to find a suitable memory care facility for my family member. She asked a lot of questions about my loved one to try and get to know her as much as possible. She worked very fast and lined up several appointments for us to tour places within a matter of days. She explained the process to me every step of the way and made sure we stayed on track. She attended the appointments with me and asked questions that I would never think to ask. I can’t thank her enough.”
“The staff and caretakers are wonderful. Would absolutely recommend to anyone who needs at home care for themselves or loved ones”
“These folks are so helpful! They care about their clients and it shows in the service! I highly recommend ????”
“The staff and caretakers are wonderful. Would absolutely recommend to anyone who needs at home care for themselves or loved ones”
“During an unexpected hospital stay, Joanne provided much needed assistance. She provided excellent care and supportive advocacy. It made dealing with the discomfort more bearable and gave me a safeguard to decipher the complicated choices to resolve health issues. I highly recommend this service.”
“If you are looking for attentive, quality home care look no further than Joanne and her team. A passion for excellence is driven for from this team. Family oriented and willing to work with all families.”
Home is where the heart is. While that saying can sound a tad cliche, it is especially true for many seniors living in America. When given a choice, older adults most often prefer to grow older at home. An AARP study found that three out of four adults over the age of 50 want to stay in their homes and communities as they age.
When you begin to think about why, it makes sense. Home offers a sense of security, comfort, and familiarity.
The truth is, as we age, we begin to rely on others for help. When a family is too busy or lives too far away to fulfill this role, in-home senior care is often the best solution. Home care services allow seniors to enjoy personal independence while also receiving trustworthy assistance from a trained caregiver.
At Always Best Care, we offer a comprehensive range of home care services to help seniors stay healthy while they get the help they need to remain independent. As your senior loved one gets older, giving them the gift of senior care is one of the best ways to show your love, even if you live far away.
To give our senior clients the best care possible, we offer a full spectrum of in-home care services:
If your senior loved one has specific care needs, our personal care services are a great choice to consider. Personal care includes the standard caregiving duties associated with companion care and includes help with tasks such as dressing and grooming. Personal care can also help individuals with chronic conditions like diabetes.
Common personal care services include assistance with:
Sometimes, seniors need helpful reminders to maintain a high quality of life at home. If you or your senior has trouble with everyday tasks like cooking, our home helper services will be very beneficial.
Common home helper care services include assistance with:
Using this kind of care is a fantastic way to make life easier for you or your senior loved one. At Always Best Care, our talented caregivers often fill the role of a companion for seniors. That way, older adults can enjoy their favorite local activities, such as visiting Pleasant Garden Volunteer Park with friends while also receiving the care they need daily or weekly.
Common companionship services include:
According to AARP, more than 53 million adults living in the U.S. provide care to someone over 50 years old. Unfortunately, these caregivers experience stress, exhaustion, and even depression. Our respite care services help family caregivers address urgent obligations, spend time with their children, and enjoy nearby activities. Perhaps more importantly, respite care gives family members time to recharge and regroup. Taking personal time to de-stress reduces the risk of caregiver burnout. So, if you've always wanted to eat at the local The Fearrington House Restaurant or visit Fort Raleigh National Historic Site, don't feel bad. Doing so is great for both you and your loved one.
At the end of the day, our goal is to become a valuable part of your senior's daily routine. That way, we may help give them the highest quality of life possible. We know that staying at home is important for your loved one, and we are here to help make sure that is possible.
If you have been on the fence about non-medical home care, there has never been a better time than now to give your senior the care, assistance, and companionship they deserve.
Always Best Care in-home services are for older adults who prefer to stay at home but need ongoing care that friends and family cannot provide. In-home care is a safe, effective way for seniors to age gracefully in a familiar place and live independent, non-institutionalized lives. The benefits of non-medical home care are numerous. Here are just a few reasons to consider senior care services from Always Best Care:
According to AARP, 9 out of 10 seniors prefer to age in place within the comfort of their own home. With in-home care, seniors have a way to stay at home, receive the care they need, and maintain a sense of independence, improving overall wellness.
If you or a member of your family have assumed the role of caregiver for your senior loved one, you know how stressful the job can be. Between caregiver burnout and constant worry, being a family caregiver is hard. In-home care relieves your burden and gives you peace of mind knowing that your older family member is in expert hands.
Unlike nursing homes, where the staff and residents rotate frequently, seniors can foster new friendships and build bonds with their caregiver. Seniors who socialize on a regular basis are often happier, which fosters positivity and leads to increased wellbeing.
No two seniors need the same kind of in-home care assistance. That is why each of our Care Plans is tailored to meet our client's individual needs. We offer plans that cover everything from light housekeeping to more involved duties like transportation to doctor's appointments. Our Care Coordinators will work closely with you to develop a personalized plan to ensure your senior's needs are exceeded.
Always Best Care offers a full array of care options for patients at all levels of health. With our trusted elderly care services, your loved one will receive the level of care necessary for them to enjoy the highest possible quality of life.
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While it's true that some seniors have complicated medical needs that prevent them from staying at home, aging in place is often the best arrangement for seniors and their families. With a trusted caregiver, seniors have the opportunity to live with a sense of dignity and do so as they see fit - something that is unavailable to many older people today.
In-home care makes it possible for millions of seniors to age in place every year. Rather than moving to a strange nursing home, seniors have the chance to stay at home where they feel the happiest and most comfortable.
How much does a senior's home truly mean to them?
A study published by the American Society on Aging found that more than half of seniors say their home's emotional value means more than how much their home is worth in monetary value. It stands to reason, then, that a senior's home is where they want to grow old.
With the help of elderly care in Volunteer, NC, seniors don't have to age in a sterilized care facility. Instead, they can age gracefully in the place they want to be most: their home. In contrast, seniors who move to a long-term care facility must adapt to new environments, new people, and new systems that the facility implements. At this stage in life, this kind of drastic change can be more harmful than helpful.
Institutional care facilities like nursing homes often put large groups of people together to live in one location. On any given day, dozens of staff members and caregivers run in and out of these facilities. Being around so many new people in a relatively small living environment can be dangerous for a seniors' health and wellbeing. When you consider that thousands of seniors passed away in nursing homes during the COVID-19 pandemic, opting for in-home care is often a safer, healthier choice for seniors.
Aging in place has been shown to improve seniors' quality of life, which helps boost physical health and also helps insulate them from viral and bacterial risks found in elderly living facilities.
For many seniors, the ability to live independently with assistance from a caregiver is a priceless option. With in-home care, seniors experience a higher level of independence and freedom - much more so than in other settings like a nursing home. When a senior has the chance to age in place, they get to live life on their own terms, inside the house that they helped make into a home. More independence means more control over their personal lives, too, which leads to increased levels of fulfillment, happiness, and personal gratification. Over time, these positive feelings can manifest into a healthier, longer life.
More independence, a healthier life, and increased comfort are only a few benefits of aging in place. You have to take into consideration the role of cost and convenience. Simply put, it's usually easier and more affordable to help seniors age in place than it is to move them into an institutional care facility. According to the US Department of Housing and Urban Development, seniors who age in the comfort of their homes can save thousands of dollars per month.
In-home care services from Always Best Care, for instance, are often less expensive than long-term solutions, which can cost upwards of six figures per year. To make matters worse, many residential care facilities are reluctant to accept long-term care insurance and other types of payment assistance.
With Always Best Care's home care services, seniors and their families have a greater level of control over their care plans. In-home care gives seniors the chance to form a bond with a trusted caregiver and also receive unmatched care that is catered to their needs. In long-term care facilities, seniors and their loved ones have much less control over their care plan and have less of a say in who provides their care.
In-home care is a valuable resource that empowers seniors to age in place on their own terms. However, a big concern for many families and their loved ones is how much in-home care costs. If you're worried that in-home care is too expensive, you may be pleasantly surprised to learn that it is one of the most affordable senior care arrangements available.
Typically, hiring an Always Best Care in-home caregiver for a few hours a week is more affordable than sending your loved one to a long-term care facility. This is true even for seniors with more complex care needs.
At Always Best Care, we will work closely with you and your family to develop a Care Plan that not only meets your care needs, but your budget requirements, too. Once we discover the level of care that you or your senior need, we develop an in-home care plan that you can afford.
In addition to our flexible care options, families should also consider the following resources to help offset potential home care costs:
When you or your senior loved one needs assistance managing daily tasks at home, finding a qualified caregiver can be challenging. It takes a special kind of person to provide reliable care for your senior loved one. However, a caregiver's role involves more than meal preparation and medication reminders. Many seniors rely on their caregivers for companionship, too.
Our companion care services give seniors the chance to socialize in a safe environment and engage in activities at home. These important efforts boost morale and provide much-needed relief from repetitive daily routines. A one-on-one, engaging conversation can sharpen seniors' minds and give them something in which to be excited.
At Always Best Care, we only hire care providers that we would trust to care for our own loved ones. Our senior caregivers in Volunteer, NC understand how important it is to listen and communicate with their seniors. A seemingly small interaction, like a short hug goodbye, can make a major difference in a senior's day. Instead of battling against feelings of isolation, seniors begin to look forward to seeing their caregiver each week.
Understanding the nuances of senior care is just one of the reasons why our care providers are so great at their job.
Unlike some senior care companies, our caregivers must undergo extensive training before they work for Always Best Care. In addition, our caregivers receive ongoing training throughout the year. This training ensures that their standard of care matches up to the high standards we've come to expect. During this training, they will brush up on their communication skills, safety awareness, and symptom spotting. That way, your loved one receives the highest level of non-medical home care from day one.
While it's true that many seniors prefer to age at home, sometimes in-home care isn't the best fit. For those seniors and their families, choosing an assisted living facility makes more sense. Unfortunately, finding the optimal care facility is easier said than done in today's day and age. That's when Always Best Care's assisted living referral services begin to make a lot of sense.
Assisted living is a form of housing intended for seniors who require varying degrees of medical and personal attention. Accommodations may include single rooms, apartments, or shared living arrangements. Assisted living communities are typically designed to resemble a home-like environment and are physically constructed to encourage the independence of residents.
At assisted living communities, seniors receive help with daily activities such as bathing, dressing, and eating. They may also benefit from coordination of services with outside healthcare providers, and monitoring of resident activities to ensure their health, safety, and well-being. Caregivers who work at assisted living communities can also provide medication administration and personal care services for older adults.
Other services offered within assisted living communities can include some or all of the following:
At Always Best Care, our representatives can match your senior's emotional, physical, and financial needs with viable assisted living communities nearby. Results are based on comparative data, so you can select the best choice for you or your loved one.
Always Best Care works closely with local senior living communities to gain valuable knowledge that we then use to help seniors and their loved ones make informed decisions. This information can include basic care and rent, resident availability, and services provided. Because Always Best Care is compensated by these communities, we provide senior living referral services at no extra cost to you.
Some of the most popular assisted living communities to consider in our area include the following:
For many seniors, moving into a senior living community revolves around how and when they want to make a transition to more involved care. Some seniors are more proactive about transitioning to independent living. Others choose to remain home until their care needs or other requirements are satisfied. Remember - our staff is here to help. Contact our office today to learn more about assisted living communities and how we can find a facility that exceeds your expectations.
The first step in getting quality in-home care starts with a personal consultation with an experienced Always Best Care Care Coordinator. This initial consultation is crucial for our team to learn more about you or your elderly loved one to discover the level of care required. Topics of this consultation typically include:
A discussion of your needs and how our trained caregivers can offer assistance in the most effective way
A draft of your care plan, which includes highly detailed notes and a framework for the care that you or your senior will receive
Discuss payment options and help coordinate billing with your insurance provider
Our caregivers are trained to spot changes that clients exhibit, like mental and physical decline. As your trusted senior care company, we will constantly assess and update your Care Plan to meet any new emotional, intellectual, physical, and emotional needs.
If you have never considered in-home care before, we understand that you and your family may have concerns about your Care Plan and its Care Coordinator. To help give you peace of mind, know that every team member and caregiver must undergo comprehensive training before being assigned to a Care Plan.
At the end of the day, we only hire the best of the best at Always Best Care. Whether you need home care in Volunteer, NC 24-hours a day or only need a respite for a couple of hours, we are here to serve you.
When you're ready, we encourage you to contact your local Always Best Care representative to set up a Care Consultation. Our Care Coordinators would be happy to meet with you in person to get to know you better, discuss your needs, and help put together a personalized Care Plan specific to your needs.
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready... GATESVILLE – A local man is among the 20 people and two organizations to receive the State of North Carolina’s highest award for volunteer service: the Governor’s Medallion Award.Erna Bright Jr. of Sunbury was recognized for his work on the Gates County Broadband Task Force and was honored by the Gates County Board of Commissioners ...
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GATESVILLE – A local man is among the 20 people and two organizations to receive the State of North Carolina’s highest award for volunteer service: the Governor’s Medallion Award.
Erna Bright Jr. of Sunbury was recognized for his work on the Gates County Broadband Task Force and was honored by the Gates County Board of Commissioners at their regularly scheduled meeting on May 21.
“The Governor’s Medallion Award is the highest volunteer award available. It honors the true spirit of volunteerism by recognizing individuals, groups, and businesses,” said Gates County Cooperative Extension Director Helen Eure who oversees the local nominations for the annual Governor’s Volunteer Service Award program. “The Medallion Award honors people who have shown concern and compassion for their neighbors by making a significant contribution to their community through volunteer service.”
Eure said Bright was nominated for the award by Gates County Manager Scott Sauer.
“Erna Bright Jr. is a dedicated volunteer in Gates County, known as the “telephone guy” from his decades of working with Carolina Telephone, now doing business as Brightspeed, and for his ongoing role as Assistant Chief with the Sunbury Volunteer Fire Department,” Eure read from Sauer’s nomination form.
“[Erna] became instrumental in Gates County’s broadband initiative by volunteering his technical expertise to the county’s task force,” Sauer continued. “His advocacy and personal observation of fiber installations, including identifying mapping errors and identifying issues with low hanging lines, were crucial in achieving 97 percent fiber installation in this rural area.”
Sauer’s nomination shared that Bright had volunteered over 1,000 hours to track federal and state grants seeking 68 million dollars for broadband deployment in northeastern North Carolina and holding providers accountable.
“More often than not, Gates County experienced water lines being cut while crews were digging and boring fiber lines. Mr. Bright tried to coach these subcontractors to work with the county’s water department and also to address traffic safety concerns while working along our roads,” Sauer stated on the nomination form.
Bright and the other recipients of the Medallion Award were recognized at a ceremony held May 12 at the North Carolina State Capitol.
“I am proud to honor these public-spirited volunteers who have each made a profound impact on their communities,” said Governor Josh Stein. “I am grateful for their dedication and hard work – may their leadership inspire more North Carolinians to follow their example.”
“We were excited to honor these extraordinary volunteers from across North Carolina who work selflessly and tirelessly to make our state a better place,” said Briles Johnson, Executive Director of VolunteerNC. “Medallion award recipients serve their communities in so many ways: combating food insecurity, assisting the elderly, mentoring youth, disaster relief and more.”
The 2026 Governor’s Volunteer Service Award nomination form will be available this fall. Nominations are submitted to the County Award Coordinator in each county. Please visit volunteernc.org for more information.
(RALEIGH) Earlier this week, 20 people and two organizations representing 21 counties received the State of North Carolina’s highest award for volunteer service: the Governor’s Medallion Award. The award is presented annually by the N.C. Commission on Volunteerism & Community Service, or VolunteerNC.“I am proud to honor these public-spirited volunteers who have each made a profound impact on their communities,” said Governor Josh Stein. “I am grateful for their dedication and hard wor...
(RALEIGH) Earlier this week, 20 people and two organizations representing 21 counties received the State of North Carolina’s highest award for volunteer service: the Governor’s Medallion Award. The award is presented annually by the N.C. Commission on Volunteerism & Community Service, or VolunteerNC.
“I am proud to honor these public-spirited volunteers who have each made a profound impact on their communities,” said Governor Josh Stein. “I am grateful for their dedication and hard work – may their leadership inspire more North Carolinians to follow their example.”
Medallion recipients received their awards in a ceremony at the North Carolina State Capitol, where they were joined by Lieutenant Governor Rachel Hunt, VolunteerNC Chair Dr. Joe Blosser, VolunteerNC Executive Director Briles Johnson, and Volunteerism Coordinator Kenneth McLellan.
“We were excited to honor these extraordinary volunteers from across North Carolina who work selflessly and tirelessly to make our state a better place,” said Briles Johnson, Executive Director of VolunteerNC. “Medallion award recipients serve their communities in so many ways: combating food insecurity, assisting the elderly, mentoring youth, disaster relief and more.”
The recipients of the 2025 Governor’s Medallion for Volunteer Service are:
The 2026 Governor’s Volunteer Service Award nomination form will be available this fall. Nominations are submitted to the County Award Coordinator in each county. Please visit volunteernc.org for more information.
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Project is giving new life to old buildings and spaces on church campuses.This article appears on Presbyterian Outlook with the permission of the Presbyterian News Service. The Outlook has a paywall to help fund our independent journalism. If our paywall prevents you from reading the full story, you can read it freely at pcusa.org/ne...
This article appears on Presbyterian Outlook with the permission of the Presbyterian News Service. The Outlook has a paywall to help fund our independent journalism. If our paywall prevents you from reading the full story, you can read it freely at pcusa.org/news.
Louisville — Volunteer groups heading to North Carolina to help residents rebound from Hurricane Helene now have three new options for housing and hospitality.
A trio of churches has opened host sites in cooperation with the Presbytery of Western North Carolina and Presbyterian Disaster Assistance to help with long-term recovery efforts. Those sites are Canton Presbyterian Church in Canton, First Presbyterian Church in Spruce Pine, and New Hope Presbyterian Church in Asheville.
“This really felt like a calling for us,” said the Rev. Kimberleigh Wells, New Hope’s pastor. “There are a number of ways you can contribute to the construction of new housing and to the repair of old (housing) and one is to do the manual labor yourself, and the other is to provide hospitality and encouragement and comfort for those who come to do that work, so we are really excited to be able to be in that role.”
Anne Waple, the presbytery’s new disaster recovery coordinator, said there is strong interest from groups desiring to book the sites, which provide a place for groups of up to 20 people to sleep and shower during work trips.
The volunteers will be traveling “from all over the country,” Waple said. They’re primarily from the East Coast, “but not exclusively. … We’re going to be meeting many people from our neighboring and faraway presbyteries, so I’m looking forward to that.”
And so are the churches.
“When we found out that our first group was coming from Michigan, we were just so delighted a team wanted to come from that far away,” Wells said. “So we can’t wait to hear their stories … and we plan on having a regular means of communication with our congregation so that folks will know who’s staying with us at any given time. We’re going to put a big map on the wall with pins in it indicating where the groups have come from.”
Some groups will be arriving this month, while others are looking to come later.
“We’re mostly focusing on this year, but we’ve already had several groups who want to reserve a spot for next spring and summer as well, which is fantastic,” Waple said. “The recovery will be at least five to 10 years for this region, so we will have many, many years of rebuilding to do.”
North Carolina was one of several states impacted by Hurricane Helene, which made landfall in Florida’s Big Bend region in September 2024 and “brought catastrophic inland flooding, extreme winds, deadly storm surge, and numerous tornadoes that devastated portions of the southeastern United States and southern Appalachians,” according to a report from the National Hurricane Center. An estimated 250 U.S. deaths resulted, including at least 176 direct deaths, making Helene the deadliest hurricane in the contiguous U.S. since 2005’s Hurricane Katrina, the report states.
“We’re in Mitchell County, which was one of the most adversely affected counties with Helene in terms of the flooding and the number of trees that were knocked down and the mudslides,” said the Rev. Michael Poulos, pastor of First Presbyterian Church in Spruce Pine. There are “people who have lost their houses, or their houses are damaged, and they’ve been living in temporary places.”
With dire needs still present, the willingness of volunteers such as the ones coming to the host sites “means everything,” said the Rev. Esta Jarrett, pastor of Canton Presbyterian Church, which collaborates on various relief efforts in the area through the Canton Missional Network.
“In the days and weeks after Hurricane Helene, when the interstates reopened and people could get here, the amount of help, the amount of volunteers and resources that flowed into the mountains was overwhelming, and there were so many tears of gratitude. It kept hope alive, and knowing that, that continues, it really does mean everything,” she said.
Canton Presbyterian has experience with hosting recovery groups in the past and is looking forward to being a new PDA host site. It’s expecting at least two groups in May.
“Being a host site for disaster recovery has become a vital part of our congregation’s mission,” Jarrett said. “We are a smaller membership church, but like many churches that have been around for a while these days, we have this wonderful old building. It’s like a gift to us from the past that now we’re able to use to host these volunteer recovery groups that need a place to stay when they come and do their work.”
Working in partnership with the United Methodist Committee on Relief, First Presbyterian Church is turning classrooms into sleeping quarters and has received a shower unit from the Appalachian Service Project that can accommodate multiple people at a time, Poulos said.
One of the larger sleeping rooms “used to be the women’s parlor (so) you couldn’t touch anything or move anything, and now, that’s going to be having six or seven cots,” he said. “I’m really excited.”
This isn’t the first time that multiple host sites been opened to respond to a disaster, said the Rev. Nell Herring, PDA’s associate for volunteer ministries.
But “this is certainly the first time we’ve done a response this large since” the 2012 hurricane known as Superstorm Sandy, she said. “Part of the decision to open three host sites in western North Carolina after Hurricane Helene was because of how many folks were contacting the PDA Call Center to express interest in going on trips there. This is by far the largest volunteer response we’ve seen post-pandemic.”
In addition to providing a place for volunteers to sleep, host sites give people a chance to come together in fellowship, so “there’s a spiritual growth component for the volunteer teams as well,” Waple said. “We’re very hopeful that we can provide an environment that is just a good experience for everyone, and fundamentally, helps the people of western North Carolina recover.”
Jarrett said she’s happy to have the support of Waple as well as the presbytery and the fellow pastors that are involved. “We are not alone in this,” she said. “There is this network of support.”
New Hope has a partnership with the Givens Estates Retirement Community that will allow volunteers to use that neighboring facility’s “whole gym facility, so their showers, their towel service, their pool, their hot tub, their gym, even their cafeteria and terrace,” Wells said. “It’s been really wonderful to experience their generosity and to feel like we’re in this together.”
By Darla Carter, Presbyterian News Service
For general questions about volunteering, contact the PDA Call Center at [email protected] or 866-732-6121. If you have site-specific questions, contact Anne Waple; more details here.
During the Lenoir County Commissioners Meeting in April, Marsha Lovick was presented with the 2025 NC Governor's Volunteer Service Award by her nominator, Paige Petticrew, consumer horticulture agent in Lenoir County, and Linda Rouse Sutton, Lenoir County Commissioner Chairman. Surrounded by many friends and family, Lovick graciously accepted the award, and stated that she was a representative of the Extension Master Gardeners of Lenoir County, and that she proudly shared the award recognition with each of them.At the presentation, a ...
During the Lenoir County Commissioners Meeting in April, Marsha Lovick was presented with the 2025 NC Governor's Volunteer Service Award by her nominator, Paige Petticrew, consumer horticulture agent in Lenoir County, and Linda Rouse Sutton, Lenoir County Commissioner Chairman. Surrounded by many friends and family, Lovick graciously accepted the award, and stated that she was a representative of the Extension Master Gardeners of Lenoir County, and that she proudly shared the award recognition with each of them.
At the presentation, a show of love and appreciation was shown as over half of the attendees were there on Marsha’s behalf!
The award application asks the nominator for an explanation of the nominee’s outstanding commitment to volunteerism, as well as their impacts on the community. Petticrew shared how she has extreme dedication and service to the greater Lenoir County community by volunteering her time as an Extension Master Gardener Volunteer of Lenoir County (EMGV) for the past 5 years sharing her horticultural knowledge to people of all ages. As an EMGV, Marsha is committed to 20 volunteer hours and 10 educational hours annually and consistently has exceeded the requirements.
Marsha serves as the President of the EMGV Association in Lenoir County and is a part of all committees in the EMGVA. These committees include (but are not limited to) the Children’s Garden, the Native Plant Garden and Meadow, the greenhouse and plant sale, Junior Master Gardeners, and the Council on Aging. Marsha is very giving of her time, and will step up to participate in any program where another hand is needed.
Not only does Marsha serve actively on each of these committees, she was a driving force in establishing a Junior Master Gardener Program in Lenoir County. She serves as the chair of the Junior Master Gardener (JMG) committee. Each summer a 2-week program is conducted where 10 youth participants complete this course. This year marks the 6th JMG course. It teaches youth “all-things” horticulture. They are fully immersed in plant biology, pollinators and pollination, how to identify insects, ensuring you are good stewards of the earth, all while experiencing the opportunity to learn beneficial life skills. Some of these life skills include preparing a presentation on a topic and then presenting it (practicing public speaking), problem solving skills, how to read food labels, how to make the right choices for your health, and how to use basic tools, among many others. Marsha teaches several of the topics herself, and oversees the other teachers of the program ensuring all topics are fully delivered and that the content is delivered in a way that is appropriate for their age.
Marsha also serves on the Lenoir County Center, Cooperative Extension Advisory Council and is a consistent advocate for all Cooperative Extension Programs. She is always a present cheerleader for causes that are important in the education of our community and county. She is able to recruit other civic organizations, youth and adults to contribute to the EMGV programs and to beautifying other parts of our community, such as downtown spaces and historic sites. Marsha always has her eyes on potential sponsor and fundraising opportunities and is never hesitant to ask how she can aid in these efforts.
Overall, Marsha contributes greatly to the mission of the EMGVA. She is a willing volunteer to our entire staff, has served as Volunteer for 4-H County, District and State events, and even fills in around the office if needed answering the phones at our center. She is much appreciated in our organization.
She also serves as a member of Trinity United Methodist Church, where she has been for over 18 years. She has served in several roles such as Sunday School Chair and Search Committee Chair. She also serves faithfully on the community watch organization.
Please join us in congratulating Marsha Lovick on this award!
Don't miss the opportunity to meet Marsha and other EMGVs to learn more about their programs at the Chamber’s Business After Hours hosted at the Lenoir County Children's Garden on June 5th at 5:30pm!
Written by: Paige Petticrew
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