News

Volunteers spruce up school yards before opening bell

By Lightning Reports, Published: August 13, 2024

More than 200 local volunteers came together to contribute a morning of service to Henderson County public schools on Aug. 1.

United Way’s Day of Action brings volunteers to school campuses to work on projects that enhance the school environment before teachers and students begin a new academic year. This year, volunteers worked at county schools to help spread mulch and manage outdoor landscape improvements.

“We are extremely grateful to our community partners and Day of Action participants for investing in Henderson County Public Schools,” schools Superintendent Mark Garrett said. “As the saying goes, many hands make for light work and this yearly event never ceases to amaze us in terms of the visual impact the projects have on our campuses in just a few short hours. We strive to put our best foot forward at all of our schools, especially as we welcome students and families. Day of Action helps us get in tip top shape for the new year.”

The volunteers included many individuals and families who are invested in their local schools as well as multiple teams of coworkers from local businesses and organizations who choose to support their community. Collectively the volunteers contributed 600 hours of time to help our local schools.

“It is inspiring to see volunteers and organizations unite to support our children and schools throughout Henderson County,” said Kat Carlton, United Way’s community development director. “We have a strong community who shows up for each other in so many ways, and when it comes to being there for our schools and our youth, we show up by the hundreds. Thank you to everyone who helped to make Day of Action such a great success!”

In addition to many residents, a dozen companies took time away from their regular business schedules to allow staff members to participate as volunteers.

“Stuller Power Solutions is all about advocacy. That’s our company culture and we appreciate and enjoy helping,” said Cheryl Stuller.

“We could not be more thankful for our community partners who put this day together and our volunteers who came to help us make things look beautiful,” Dana Elementary principal Amy Cleveland said.

Day of Action was supported by AdventHealth, Hendersonville/Mills River Family Dental, Park National Bank, PragerMetis Advisors and Accountants, Stuller Power Solutions, Reid & Reid Pediatric Dentistry and Orthodontics and WNC Bridge Foundation.