At the end of each year FENCE staff and board take time to reflect on the past year and look forward to the future. As a nonprofit organization, FENCE relies heavily on the support from volunteers and donors to offer the many different programs that the community has come to know and love.

At the close of the year the organization board and staff choose a couple of volunteers to be honored as the volunteers of the year. These individuals are volunteers who go above and beyond the typical volunteer duties at FENCE. They are dedicated to serving as a resource to FENCE by giving up their time to volunteer for various programs, events, and day to day maintenance. In addition to all of the hours they devote to FENCE, these people also serve as important ambassadors in the community for the organization.

Although every year choosing the volunteers of the year is a difficult decision to make, this year two individuals really stood out to the board and staff of FENCE as integral facets of the organization and without the dedication of these two individuals FENCE would not be the same. Jean Wright and Chuck Hearon have been selected as the volunteers of the year for 2017.

Jean Wright has been a committed volunteer for FENCE for many years mainly with equestrian events and the TROT-Therapeutic Riding of Tryon Program at FENCE. She has helped to grow the TROT program, educate the public about the program, and fundraise to keep the program running.

Chuck Hearon has been a staple at FENCE since the beginning, helping to groom the grounds and keep the trails safe for visitors. This past year Chuck has volunteered day in and day out to keep the FENCE property in great shape. Chuck has organized community workdays, volunteered for nature events, and served on the nature committee. FENCE staff and board would like to thank these volunteers for their tireless work and commitment.

As a nonprofit organization with a small staff, FENCE relies deeply on the community to volunteer their time to keep their events and programs running. While only two volunteers were chosen as the volunteers of the year, FENCE has hundreds of volunteers to thank! With volunteers in many different areas from equestrian events, TROT, trail work, educational programs, office work, community events and many places in between, FENCE utilizes volunteers all year long. FENCE is always searching for new volunteers to lend their unique skills, helping to better the organization and serve the community.

If you would like to learn more about FENCE or if you are interested in volunteering, please contact FENCE at 828-859-9021 or info@fence.org. FENCE is located at 3381 Hunting Country Road in Tryon.

– submitted by Tracie Hanson