With a team of more than 50 staff members, it’s rare to find all of us in one place outside of our monthly all-staff meetings. But mention volunteering, and we’re all in. It’s part of who we are—and a big part of how we live out our Community Resilience work every day.
We call these days Volunteer United: opportunities for our staff to come together and support the schools and partners at the heart of our community. This month, our team spent the day at one of our Community Schools, Owen Middle School in Swannanoa, helping with a major cleanup and move project.
For more than a decade, Owen Middle has been one of our Community Schools, complete with a well-loved Resource Room—a true example of Community Schools in action. These spaces are open and accessible to everyone in the school community, stocked with clothing, snacks, shelf-stable food, cleaning supplies, and school essentials. They also serve as home base for many of our Community School Coordinators.
As part of ongoing renovations, our team rolled up our sleeves to help move the entire Resource Room. The day was full of sorting food, folding mountains of clothing, rearranging furniture, and even sprucing up the shared outdoor spaces and pond.
At UWABC, volunteering together is something we intentionally prioritize. Many of us volunteer regularly with organizations across Buncombe County, but there’s something powerful about showing up together for our community. It strengthens our schools, supports our neighbors, and builds connection within our own team.
And just like everyone else, we use Hands On Asheville Buncombe to find opportunities to plug in. Because volunteering isn’t just something we promote—it’s something we do. We believe making time to serve your community matters, and we’re proud to be right there alongside you.
Want to Support?
- Donate today to support Youth Opportunities across the county
- Volunteer with your friends and family at Hands On Asheville Buncombe
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