Volunteer program reports record nominations; commissioners appoint retired veteran to advisory board

The Ashe County Volunteer Initiative reported a busy year of activity, including a record number of nominations for the county volunteer awards and a shoes-for-kids fundraiser that raised $15,500. The county’s volunteer coordinator asked the commission to approve one advisory-board appointment, which the board did.

Jennifer Richardson, identified as the county volunteer coordinator, told commissioners that the program received roughly 1,100 nominations this year — up from a typical 400–450 — and that the county won another governor’s medallion award. She described numerous volunteer projects over the past year, including Keep Ashe Beautiful events, support at Ash Memorial Hospital Foundation events, Back-to-School Blast volunteer coordination, and a shoes-for-kids drive that raised $15,500 with support from Farm Bureau.

Richardson also reported disaster case-management activity after Hurricane Helene: the county distributed 96 temporary campers to families, and staff are tracking cases where campers were provided. Richardson said disaster case management can assist with winterization and with RenewNC grant applications (renewnc.org) if families need help applying.

The volunteer coordinator requested board approval to appoint Ed Singley to the Ashe County Volunteer Advisory Board. Richardson said Singley is a retired Vietnam veteran who has volunteered locally and was unanimously approved by the advisory board. Commissioners moved, seconded and approved the appointment during the meeting.

Commissioners thanked Richardson and the volunteer network and asked for continuing information from AARP and other partners about age-friendly programming. Richardson said the advisory board will continue outreach and volunteer engagement in coming months.