By NANCY FOLTZ
CHEROKEE PRESERVATION FOUNDATION
During the 7th annual Cherokee Day of Caring on May 19, approximately 240 community volunteers helped neighbors selected by their communities for assistance and pitched in to help with painting, yard clean-up, gardening, and fix-it projects.
Jarrett Sneed, Jason Sneed and Tuff Jackson work on Ben and Annabelle Mormon’s home in the Wolfetown Community. (Photos by Brenda Oocumma)
The appreciative neighbors whose homes and properties were beehives of volunteer activity include Dan Lambert in Tow String, Martha Ross in Big Cove, Hazel Shell in Big Cove, Lawanda Sue Goings and Joe Owl in Painttown, Jessie Crowe in Big Y, Ben and Annabelle Mormon in Wolfetown, Inez Welch in Birdtown, Helen Lucille Jackson in Snowbird, and Lucille Brendle in Cherokee County.
The volunteers received significant support from the EBCI Facilities Department and the EBCI Housing and Community Development Division, which helped assess needs, compiled lists of the materials needed and supplied project leaders.
Lisa Maney and Quedi Sampson work on flower beds at Martha Ross’ home in the Big Cove Community.
A highlight of the Cherokee Day of Caring is the honoring of Quiet Heroes who have served their communities unselfishly, as well as Good Neighbors who do not live in one of the EBCI communities, but have significantly helped members of the Tribe. This year, nine communities chose Quiet Heroes:
Big Cove – Mary Thompson
Big Y – Wanema Driver
Birdtown – Tara McCoy
Cherokee County – Jim Rogers
Painttown – Nancy “Poss” Maney
Snowbird – Scottie Chekelelee
Tow String – Raymond Matthews
Wolfetown – Isaac “Button” Long
Yellowhill – Maxine Bradley Teesatuskie
Michael Rich and Tom Camacho received Good Neighbor Awards. Rich was nominated by the Painttown community and Comacho was nominated by the Snowbird community.
The annual Cherokee Day of Caring is sponsored by Cherokee Preservation Foundation, the Office of the Principal Chief of the Eastern Band of Cherokee Indians, and Harrah’s Cherokee Casino & Hotel. The event began in 2005 and builds on the gadugi tradition of community service of the Cherokee people.
