5th annual Hands-On-Jackson event provides help for neighbors in need

By Kristin Fox

The 5th Annual Hands on Jackson event, held on October 12, 2023, was a huge success. Hands on Jackson is a “Day of Caring” event that is focused on providing assistance to neighbors in need through mobilizing community volunteer teams of all skill levels and matching them with needs. Jobs will range from installing energy efficiency measures, building ramps, or cleaning yards and gutters. 

Over 220 volunteers for the event showed up to complete 37 projects in the Jackson County Community. Projects completed included handicap ramps, decks, stair projects, pressure washing, gutter cleaning, yard maintenance and other odds-and-end jobs. In addition, over $17,000 was raised to help people in the community. This impact could not be possible without the generous donations from the event sponsors and the amazing volunteers who completed the work.

Before beginning their work for the day, crews met at First Baptist Church in Sylva for a breakfast sponsored by Duke Energy. The breakfast was prepared by the East Sylva Baptist Church and served by volunteers under the direction of Ruth McConnell of the Hands on Jackson Advisory Council.

2023 Hands on Jackson sponsors

House Sponsors $1,000 plus

Great Smokies Health Foundation

Lowes of Sylva

Duke Energy

America’s Home Place

Balsam Mountain Preserve

Mountain Projects Inc.

Rotary Club of Sylva

Ward Plumbing, Heating and Air

Hammer Sponsors $500 plus

Vacasa

Friends Sponsor $250 plus

828 Custom Printing

Jackson County Department of Aging

Mark & Mary Holiday

“I would like to commend the Department of Aging on another successful Hands on Jackson event,” said County Manager Don Adams at the recent meeting of the Jackson County Board of Commissioners. “It is just a great annual event that Eddie Wells and his staff at the Jackson County Department of Aging, along with a whole slew of volunteers and teams, get together to try to help out our community. I would just like to thank Eddie and his staff and all the volunteers who made that day a great day.” 

The previous four events have raised over $60,000 to complete over 125 projects for unmet needs in Jackson County.