Spirit of volunteerism still  makes this a good place to live

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During my young life on the planet, I’ve called several places “home.” 

Born in Raleigh before it got too big for its britches. 

Lived in Apex the first five years, back when there was some space between it and Cary. 

Grew up just outside of Pittsboro when the population never grew larger than 1,200, according to the Compton’s Pictured Encyclopedias my folks maintained in our living room bookshelf.

Got married; lived within Pittsboro; moved to an apartment outside; moved to take a job on the Asheboro daily newspaper; finally moved to an expanding Apex with my own family to go to work in a growing Raleigh.

If my math is right, then, that means I’ve got 67 in Chatham and eight out, almost three of which were at a little church in south-central Virginia while a seminary student.

None of this is meant to impress you that I have been a world traveler. Rather, it’s to say I’ve had an opportunity to see and compare places. And while no place is without its blemishes and most places have more beauty marks than warts, I have noticed something about the place I now call home and have for years. And that is folks pitch in to help one another without expecting anything in return.

Granted, there are folks who do this at other places. But even if you didn’t want to be relative, consider the absolute of how many volunteers there are for so many organizations in and for our county. 

Somewhere along the line, I had a directory of all the volunteer organizations. At the moment, it’s Missing in Action but suffice to say there are many. And while they’re good in their own way for their stated purpose, it’s dangerous to single out any.

But there are the “big” ones — the Council on Aging, Boys and Girls Clubs, Chatham Cares Community Pharmacy, CORA and a host of others. There are the ministries and missions of local churches and parishes for the hungry, homeless, abused, downtrodden. And there are the smaller ones like SonShine & Blessings, a one-person outfit helping those who have trouble helping themselves. All of these worthy efforts welcome more of us to help more of us.

But permit me to cite one that proves the point about how people around here help others. Yes, it’s a favorite of mine and, yes, I’m involved. But, yes, it’s all volunteer. Name is Operation North State (ONS) and while it calls Winston-Salem home because that’s where the volunteer – Terry Snyder – who leads it lives and oversees the operation from his basement. It helps folks across the state, including a recent event in Chatham — an all-day fishing festival on Jordan Lake for almost 40 wounded veterans. And when I say “all day,” I mean all day.

There’s one of these yearly, along with similar events at other lakes within the state. Host boaters put in the water at the break of dawn with a wounded veteran and a caregiver. They spend the day fishing and fellowshipping. A snack boat patrols the lake, bringing, well, snacks. 

Toward sundown, everyone comes in and goes to nearby Mt. Carmel Baptist Church for a bountiful meal that makes the tables groan — barbecue, fried chicken, mashed potatoes, hushpuppies, homemade cobblers. Food not consumed at supper is sent home with the vets, some of whom live alone and are just trying to survive.

And here’s the volunteer part. In addition to management, all the food items come from nearby businesses, including local ones like Cowboy Cafe & Catering in Siler City and Virlie’s in Pittsboro. Nearby churches offer food, space and folks to cook and serve. And host boaters come on their own dime to take part.

And it’s all intended for two reasons: (1) to say ‘thank you’ to folks who served our country, some returning with major health and emotional issues and (2) to help those folk reconnect with life and the good parts of society. Hundreds of veterans across the nation take their lives annually and events such as the fishing festivals help prevent that.

So, are you busy? Probably so. We all are. But in the rapid, changing times we find ourselves in, find a cause for you to volunteer to be part of. 

Chatham County is rapidly changing and evolving. And, frankly, to many folks, not all of it is especially good or desirable. Time will tell what is and what isn’t. 

But, in the meantime, get involved with an organization as a volunteer. It’s one of the best things about living here.

Bob Wachs is a native of Chatham County and retired long-time managing editor of the Chatham News/Chatham Record, having written a weekly column for more than 30 years. During most of his time with the newspapers, he was also a bi-vocational pastor and today serves Bear Creek Baptist Church for the second time as pastor.