Rutherford Weekly

OUR 24 th YEAR • ISSUE NO. 16 • April 21, 2016 RutherfordWeekly.com 828-248-1408 FREE FREE RUTHERFORD COUNTY'S ONLY AUDITED NEWSPAPER! RUTHERFORD COUNTY'S ONLY AUDITED NEWSPAPER! To fi nd a drive near you call 1-800-RED CROSS or visit redcrossblood.org The need for blood IS CONSTANT! Every 2 seconds someone in the US needs a blood transfusion! ©Community First Media We Finance! Auto Sales Auto Sales M i k e s M i k e s M i k e s M i k e s INC. INC. M i k e s M i k e s Auto Sales Auto Sales Auto Sales Auto Sales Monday-Friday 9am-5pm • 828-245-2238 Robbie Pruett 828-429-5858 Frankie Mullinax 828-429-5202 417 South Broadway • Forest City • NC $ 4,995 4,995 6 cyl., auto., leather, all power, fully loaded. 2004 Kia 2004 Kia Amanti Amanti Cash Discounts Any Price! $ 16,495 16,495 Diesel, auto., 4 dr., CD player, air, good miles. 2003 Dodge 2003 Dodge Ram 3500 Ram 3500 $ 4,795 4,795 4 cyl., auto., CD player, good tires, runs great. 2006 Chevrolet 2006 Chevrolet Aveo Aveo $ 5,295 5,295 4 cyl., auto., all power, good miles. 2007 Dodge 2007 Dodge Caliber Caliber $ 7,795 7,795 4 cyl., auto., all power, CD player, runs great. 2009 Toyota 2009 Toyota Camry Camry Cash Only Cash Only Annual Walk for Life set for April 30 Articles By: Allison Flynn, Rutherford Weekly LOCAL LOCAL BUY Rather than several smaller walks, this year's Hanes of HOPE (Help Offered in a Pregnancy Experience) Annual Walk for Life will be held in a central location and expanded to include more than just a walk. The 23rd annual event is set for Saturday, April 30, at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church grounds in Forest City. Registration will begin at 9 a.m. followed by the walk at 10 a.m. "Tracy, Karen and I had all been praying about it, but none of us had really talked about it together," said Michelle Flynn, counselor and administrative assistant for Hands of HOPE for Life. "This year seemed like the time for everyone to come together and support the ministry, to make a stand for pro-life and to support any women in a pregnancy experience." The walk is one of three fundraisers the organization holds each year. The non-profit is also supported by churches, some businesses and individuals, Flynn said. "Hopefully this year's walk with be bigger than our annual banquet," she said. The walk will begin at Immaculate Conception, with a halfway point at Davis Donuts, Flynn explained. Once back at the church, there will be games for children and live music provided by local musicians David Roach, David Coffin and others. The first 250 participants to register will receive a T-shirt. Those who want to walk do not have to collect money. Instead, they collect pledges of names and addresses of those who will support them during the walk. Funds raised help Hands of Hope to provide accurate information and compassionate assistance to more than 140 men, women and students every year. The Christian non-profit provides counseling and services for those who are expecting a baby or have children under the age of two. Hands of HOPE for Life provides information on alternatives to abortion through and support for those no matter what decision they make, Flynn said. Information about adoption is provided as well as counseling for those who choose to terminate their pregnancy. Mothers who are pregnant can take part in various programs each month, including an "earn while you learn" video series that provides information on caring for yourself and your baby during pregnancy as well as what to expect after your baby is born. Services aren't just for moms either, Flynn added. Fathers are encouraged to attend as well, with a curriculum of their own. Counseling is also offered, giving clients a safe space to talk about any topics they'd like, Flynn said. "They can talk about anything that they need to," she said. "Not only do we offer Biblical counseling, but also life experiences." By taking part in programs offered, clients can "shop" for infant and toddler clothes, books, food, hygiene items, diapers and wipes. They can also lease baby furniture and toys. But, to take part, clients have to be willing to attend programs. "The mindset is that this is the place to get free diapers," Flynn said. "But we want our clients to understand that when you are willing to put in work, we are willing to help. We are all given a gift and a passion, and when we fulfill it, we feel better about ourselves." For more information on services offered by Hands of HOPE for Life or to register for Walk for Life, call 828-247-4673. Hands of HOPE is open Monday- Thursday, 10am to 4pm (closed for lunch from noon to 1pm). Guardian Guardian ad Litem ad Litem program program provides a provides a voice for voice for children children It could be something as simple as requesting a certain toy from home to more complex issues such as where a child wants to live. No matter the request or situation, volunteers with Rutherford County's Guardian ad Litem program are there to advocate for children. "First and foremost, we are the voice for a child in court," said Charity Robinson, program supervisor for Rutherford County's Guardian ad Litem program. "We report to the court what the kids want, and how they are feeling about things. Then, we make our own recommendations as to what we feel is in the best interest of the children." The Guardian ad Litem program in North Carolina was established in 1983 to serve abused and neglected children. A Guardian ad Litem is a trained volunteer who is appointed by the court to advocate for the best interests of children, Robinson explained. It isn't a volunteer role everyone feels comfortable with, but is one that those who do volunteer say is meaningful. "When we hold our volunteer trainings, I compare it to hospice," Robinson continued. "It is a very hard thing to volunteer for, and it's not for everybody. But those who do volunteer have a passion for it and are in it from top to bottom." Jimi Moore is one such volunteer. Moore began volunteering with Guardian ad Litem in Mecklenburg County in 1999, and continued to volunteer after moving to Rutherford County. "The kids are the best - they are what's interesting about it," Moore said. While not fun volunteering, Moore continued, it is extremely rewarding. "You get an incredible amount of satisfaction from making a difference in a child's life," she said. "You're there, and hopefully the parents understand that you don't get paid and there's no reason for you to be involved other than you care about the child." For Nancy Hoopes, being a Guardian ad Litem has allowed her to give back in a meaningful way. "I'm a retired nurse, and when we moved to the Lake Lure area I was starting to feel like I needed to do more than just have fun," she said. "I began trying to find something I could volunteer for that I felt would be significant, but not in the medical field." Hoopes expected being a Guardian ad Litem to be a tough role, but was surprised that it has not been. "In almost all of my cases I have felt that the decision being made for the children was in their best interest," she said. Guardian ad Litems are expected to meet with the children for whom they are advocating at least once per month, although they can meet with them more often. Volunteers can also have as many or as few cases as they'd like. "We have a wonderful group," Robinson said. "They not only volunteer to support our kids, but also believe in this program and work hard to bring in new people. We have a really welcoming, good group - I can't say enough about them. When you do something like this, your heart has to be in it. What they bring to the table is that they truly do care about children and truly do hope to see nothing but good things happen in their futures. These advocates go above and beyond and try to help in any way they can." There are 129 children who are currently served by Guardian ad Litem in Rutherford County; 45 of those children are still in need of advocates, Robinson continued. "Anyone can start at any time for a one-on-one training," she said. "We also partner with McDowell County for a class two to three times a year." An online training will soon be in place as well. "You can make a difference, one child at a time," Moore said. For more information on the program, visit volunteerforgal.org or call 828-287-3929. i f th h ti b b h

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