WOR Making A Difference: “Christmas in July” for Senior Residents in Need (Swain County CHORE Program)

Why is Joe Berry talking about Swiffer product refills?

Because: “Good things happen on the river.”

In the summer of 2017, CCC members Trish Hipgrave and Tom Womble became unplanned paddling partners on the Tuck’s gorge section. What started with Trish’s “Hey! Can I join your group?!” – ended with a joint plan to capture some good for the local community off the WOR influx of paddlers.

Thanks to Tom and Trish’s efforts, aided immeasurably by the then-cruise chair Joe Berry, since 2018 the CCC has annually supported the Swain County Health Department’s “CHORE” program by contributing to the production of care packages tailored to specific senior citizens’ needs in the area (as informed by the county).

Every year around Springtime Trish gives Joe a list of items that she and her staff have determined are in demand. With the help of Joe’s wife and many others, items are purchased and Senior Care Packages (SCP’s) are built. Receipts are added up to determine the cost of the SCP’s. Usually in the middle of June, Joe will post on the CCC WOR Facebook page that the SCP’s are going to be on sale and this year’s cost. A typical cost is in the $40 range. Buyers will PayPal or Venmo Joe and boom, the packages are sold. It usually takes 1 day. These packages are distributed to the participants around the week of 4th of July.

No WOR in 2020? Joe Berry still delivered mountains of toilet paper.

The seniors have even come to affectionately call it their “Christmas in July” from the CCC.

The co-founders had their own inspirations, Tom having seen similar community support given by local motorsports clubs in the area, and Trish’s with the Swain County Health Department speaks for itself to her insights on the community’s lesser known needs. “It helps the community understand the boaters are here to help too!” Trish explained.

Since 2018 the CCC has directly helped 163 seniors in need in Swain County.

How to Help in 2026: This year we are serving 20 clients: 17 women and 3 men. In that group we were specifically asked to help restock 9 seniors with Swiffer supplies, tipping the single SCP cost this year to $54. Since this is a higher price than previous years, Joe is introducing the option to only fund a ½ SCP for $27. The supplies will ultimately be drop-shipped to the Swain County Health Department, and distributed from there.

***

As things lingered in that awkward moment that a group call ends – Joe Berry’s window on the video call lit up as he spoke for the first time in a while, in that deep and unhurried tone:

“Good things happen on the river.” 

Smiles all around as we logged off.

SYOTR

Jason Jones

CCC President

ACA L3 River Canoeing Instructor