Member Spotlight: Anna
When Anna joined Civitan in April 2024, she was looking to reconnect with volunteer work that had once been a big part of her life. Her first event—a trail cleanup at Horseshoe Farm—was just the beginning of what would become an inspiring journey of friendship, service, and community impact.
“I used to be heavily involved in volunteering through college, but it’s hard to do as an individual,” Anna shared. “A lot of places require group sign-ups, and that’s what first got me interested in Civitan. I stayed for the people and the community—I never expected this group would turn into some of my closest friends.”
Finding Purpose Through Service
Among the many volunteer opportunities she’s participated in, Anna especially loves working at Alliance Medical Ministry’s community garden.
“You get to dig in the dirt, harvest amazing crops, and know that you’re helping provide fresh, free produce to people who need it,” she said.
It’s hands-on, heart-centered work—just the kind of service that reflects Civitan’s mission.
Another favorite memory for Anna is volunteering at the Special Olympics, where she and fellow members cheered on athletes with enthusiasm that matched the competitors’ energy.
“This past year, we all lined up to make the wave as athletes were running their last event. It’s such a fun and fulfilling day—and it’s great to see how everyone in the club gives it their all.”
Hurricane Helene: Turning Compassion Into Action
While Anna has taken part in many events, one project stands out above all: the Hurricane Helene Relief Drive.
When Hurricane Helene struck Western North Carolina and Eastern Tennessee, Anna watched the devastation unfold with heartbreak. Having family ties to the region and a deep love for the Smoky and Blue Ridge Mountains, she felt compelled to act.
“It’s my happy place, plain and simple,” she said. “To see so much of it destroyed overnight was heart-wrenching.”
When news reports began to show the extent of the flooding, Anna decided to do somethingto help. The next morning, she saw a post from Operation Airdrop, which was collecting relief supplies at the Statesville Airport. Without hesitation, she reached out to two friends—Katy Creech of The Glass Jug Beer Lab and Christa Donofrio of BeerTooth Taproom—to see if they could host a local supply drive.
What started as a simple idea quickly became a massive, community-wide effort. Anna made flyers, designed social media graphics, and launched the drive—expecting to fill her Honda Accord with a few boxes. Within 24 hours, 13 breweries and local businesses had joined in, including Fullsteam and Bond Brothers.
When Anna reached out to the Civitan Board to see if the club could help, the response was immediate and enthusiastic. The team rallied volunteers, secured funding for truck rentals and gas, and spent the next week sorting and boxing thousands of donated supplies.
“It truly was a collaborative effort,” Anna said. “I am so proud of how our members and board stepped up.”
An Unforgettable Journey
As donations poured in, the scale of the operation grew beyond anyone’s expectations. What was supposed to fit in a single car turned into four large U-Hauls and two cargo vans filled to the brim with relief supplies.
“The generosity of people was overwhelming,” Anna recalled. “Every time we asked for something—more boxes, more volunteers, specific items—twice as much came in.”
On the night before the delivery, more than 40 Civitan and community members came together to pack and load donations. It was a sight that left many in awe of the teamwork and generosity in action.
When the convoy finally departed for the mountains, the plan was to deliver everything to the airport in Statesville for air transport. But upon arrival, the group was rerouted directly to Banner Elk, where roads had just reopened. The drive was harrowing—winding through damaged mountain passes, detouring with handwritten cardboard signs, and navigating washed-out roads without cell service.
After a four-and-a-half-hour journey, the group reached the Banner Elk airport at sunset, where the Sentinel Foundation and Weekends with Warriors were coordinating ground operations. Volunteers quickly unloaded the trucks and even provided an escort for the Civitan team back down the mountain. They returned home around 1 a.m.—exhausted but fulfilled.
Community in Action
In the weeks and months that followed, Anna made five additional trips back to Western North Carolina, continuing to deliver aid and build connections with local organizations. One of those was the Foscoe Home Store, a women-led nonprofit founded by Sherrye Trice to support families in Linville after an entire trailer park was washed away.
Today, the Foscoe Home Store is still operating and serving more than 100 households who remain without consistent running water.
“It was a beautiful display of how our community comes together in times of need,” Anna said. “Out of tragedy came so many incredible stories.”
Why We’re Proud of Anna
Anna’s story is one of initiative, compassion, and courage—the kind of leadership that defines Civitan. From her first trail cleanup to organizing one of the club’s largest relief efforts, she has shown what’s possible when people come together with purpose.
We’re so proud of all that Anna has done—and grateful for the heart, creativity, and determination she brings to the Civitan community.