Unaka – The community, alongside representatives of Cherokee County, celebrated and declared April 10 the first Nancy Helms Day.
April 10 was Helms' 85th birthday, and everyone involved in planning worked hard to ensure the day was kept a secret from her.
Helms worked in Cherokee County Schools and is a vital member of the Rotary Club of Murphy, the Mayor’s Rising Stars youth leadership program, Unaka Community Development Club, Grape Creek Community Club, Grape Creek Homemakers, Cherokee County Retired School Personnel, Ogreeta Baptist Church and Reach of Cherokee County.
She makes efforts throughout other parts of Cherokee County helping to make it a better and stronger place to live.
The day was filled with community members sharing stories and appreciation for Helms during a lunch with all of her favorite foods, and time for fellowship.
Murphy Mayor Tim Radford took time to introduce her and gave a speech to share the major impacts she has made throughout Cherokee County.
“Some people volunteer when it is convenient. Nancy volunteers because she cares," Radford said. "She sees needs before most of us even realize they exist, and then she quietly goes to work bringing people together to make things better.”
Over the years, Helms has kept her passion for encouraging a love of learning among young people. In partnership with the Rotary Reads program, she helps select books and prepare lesson plans that Rotary members take into Cherokee County elementary schools.
Helms also helped coordinate several Read Across America Days, along with an event where Radford read to the entirety of Murphy Elementary School and handed out 475 treat bags to the students.
“She makes sure each child feels encouraged and valued,” Radford said.
Helms also values teachers understanding that strong schools depend on strong teachers. This has inspired her to help coordinate Teacher Appreciation Week efforts over the years and work with Grape Creek Homemakers to donate supplies to teachers at the start of each school year.
Helms helped to inspire what is now the Mayor’s Rising Stars program in Murphy.
She believed young people needed more opportunities to grow as leaders and serve their community. Because of her vision, students today are gaining confidence, learning responsibility, and discovering the value of service.
Her commitment to education extends beyond the classroom. She has coordinated Community Day, which helps to bring together leaders from community centers across the county to help connect them with resources, such as grant writing education that helps to sustain important programs.
Helms believes it is important to support families and strengthen the connection within a community. She helped to secure the grants to improve the Unaka Community Center, which provides residents with access to quality gathering spaces for local activities and fellowship, and can also serve as a hub in emergencies.
“My husband and I moved here in 2020, and Nancy really helped us to find our way in the community," said Holly Willis, president of Unaka Community Development Club. "After being named the President of the Unaka Community Development Club, she has continued to support the community and me to help make it a better place each and every day. We hope today helps to show Nancy how much we value and appreciate her.”
She plays a major and active role in her church, Ogreeta Baptist Church, by working with youth and adults, further helping her to continue her lifelong commitment to mentoring young people and helping guide the next generation.
Murphy hosted Make a Difference Day in partnership with AmeriCorps, Project MARS, and Volunteer NC to make improvements on the Murphy Riverwalk, Sunset Cemetery, and the Payne Street Boat Ramp.
Helms gathered volunteers and supplies to ensure that all of the volunteers working hard on these projects were valued and cared for by providing home-cooked meals, snacks, and extra encouragement for spending their day serving the Town of Murphy.
To further help families, Helms has helped to coordinate volunteers and fundraising efforts for Shop with a Cop and Toys for Tots, both programs that help to ensure all children experience joy during the Christmas Season.
She has also worked to coordinate volunteers to provide a free Thanksgiving Day meal so that all members of the community can enjoy fellowship and warm meals during the holidays alongside Reach of Cherokee County and the Rotary Club of Murphy.
“A phrase you’ll often hear related to Nancy is voluntold. If she comes to you with an opportunity, there’s no telling her no,” one community member said.
“She recognizes the importance of celebrating volunteers and always encourages others to serve, which multiples the impact of every effort,” Radford said.
Helms played a major role in Rotary District 7670’s first Freedom from Alzheimer’s Walk that helped to raise over $3,000 to support research toward prevention, treatment, and ultimately a cure for Alzheimer’s disease, a degenerative neurological disease that affects many members and families in the community.
As Helms was presented with a plaque for the Mayor’s Service Award, Radford said, “Nancy Helms represents the very best of Murphy and Cherokee County. She does not seek recognition, yet her work deserves to be recognized. She does not ask for credit, yet her fingerprints can be found on countless successful projects across our community. Nancy reminds us that leadership is not about position.
"Leadership is about service. Leadership is about seeing a need and doing something about it. Leadership is about lifting others up. I can personally say I am a better mayor because of Nancy’s example. She continually encourages all of us to leave our community better than we found it. Communities do not thrive because of buildings or budgets alone. Community thrives because people like Nancy Helms give generously of their time, their energy, and their heart.”
“I can start something, but you all make it possible. Each of us has something special to give, and that’s ourselves. This is the most special birthday yet,” Helms said.
Details: Visit unakacommunity.com.