Nearly 250 Volunteers Participate in 2009 Cherokee Day of Caring

CHEROKEE, NC, May 28, 2009 — Nearly 250 volunteers, mostly from the Qualla Boundary but some coming greater distances from places such as Savannah and Orlando, pitched in and helped neighbors in need during the fifth annual Cherokee Day of Caring on May 14. The Cherokee Day of Caring is a collaboration between Cherokee Preservation Foundation, Harrah’s Cherokee Casino and Hotel, and the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians.

The volunteers helped designated residents in the 3200 Acre Tract, Big Cove, Big Y, Birdtown, Cherokee County, Painttown, Snowbird, Towstring, Wolfetown and Yellowhill communities by tackling projects such as painting, laying carpeting, building fences, mowing and weeding, and general yard clean-up. 

In addition to working on community members’ homes, the Cherokee Day of Caring event recognizes and honors community members that help neighbors every day in their communities.  These individuals are called Quiet Heroes because they give every day to their community without expecting anything in return.  One Quiet Hero was honored from each of these communities:

Big Cove: Darrell Ross
Big Y: Ben Reed
Birdtown: Bud Mathis
Cherokee County: Katherine Rose
Painttown: Pat Hornbuckle
Snowbird: Ronnie Teesateskie
Tow String: Roy Matthews
Wolfetown: Pat Kalonaheskie
Yellowhill: Martha Sherrill

The Good Neighbor award, bestowed each year to a person or persons making a difference on the Qualla Boundary who are not an enrolled member of the EBCI, was awarded this year to Lester and Lisa Hardesty.