Helping Hands Wood Lot helping heat
the High Country
Volunteer labor needed to keep ministry fired up

By Sherrie Norris

Kim Winebarger at The Hunger and Health Coalition has good news for those worrying about heating their homes this winter: “We now have a Helping Hands Wood Lot located on the HHC property which will help provide wood for heating to individuals or families who can’t afford to purchase it.”

Winebarger’s words are in perfect timing for many who’ve begun to feel the first hint of autumn’s chill and know what is soon to follow.

Winebarger’s enthusiasm regarding the program’s inaugural year is heightened only by the support of Grace Builders of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church in Boone.

“These wonderful people have taken on the challenge of this ministry. However they can’t do it alone and need volunteers to help cut, split, and deliver loads of wood,” Winebarger said, adding, “This will be a great benefit to so many people. Heating is such a huge expense in the winter months, and our hope is that this program can help relieve worry. We are partnering with Grace Builders and WeCan to make this possible.”

Winebarger emphasized that those in need of wood will need to first obtain a voucher from the HHC or from WeCan.

J. Richard Holshouser, representing Grace Builders of the partnering church and overseeing this particular ministry, said his group has constructed a fence and gate for storing and securing the firewood, using pallets to keep it off the ground. 

However, he added, the ongoing assistance of others is necessary to keep the lot adequately supplied through the winter. “We are appealing for assistance from others to help:  individuals, churches, civic organizations, or other interested groups.” Others, with trucks, are also needed to deliver pick-up loads of wood to individuals or families who have been approved for wood but have no way of hauling it.

Anyone willing to donate firewood already cut and/or split, is asked to bring it to the wood lot at HCC, by first contacting Holshouser to arrange delivery and open the gate.  Wood lot workdays are being scheduled so volunteers can plan ahead to spend a few hours cutting, splitting and stacking firewood.

In the event that any person or group would prefer to donate financial assistance, contributions may be sent to Grace Builders, c/o Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church, 115 E. King St., Boone, N.C. 28607.  Donations will be used to ensure that the woodpile does not run low later in the winter.

Holshouser challenged the community to join Grace Builders “in becoming Helping Hands in the service of our Savior Jesus Christ.  Hopefully, our efforts together can continue from one year to the next.”

Holshouser notes that a need also exists for a donated wood-splitter to be kept on site, as well as a small tool shed in which to house the splitter.

Anyone interested in helping with the project should contact Holshouser at (828) 295-9355. For a work schedule, call the office of Grace Evangelical Lutheran Church at (828) 264-2206. 

For more information regarding eligibility, contact Kim Winebarger at the Hunger and Health Coalition, (828) 262-1628, or Jennifer Johnson of WeCan (Watauga Crisis Assistance Network) at (828) 264-1237, whose office is located at the Hospitality House of Boone.