Murphy – The back room at Legend’s Steakhouse bustled with a who’s who of Cherokee and Clay counties, and for a good cause.
Representatives from Reach of Clay County, the Cherokee County Food Bank, the Sharing Center food pantry, Industrial Opportunities Inc., St. Vincent de Paul and Clay County Food Bank all came to join the United Way’s local past and present board members in honoring retiring executive director Karen Borchers.
Borchers greeted each guest with an energetic hug as the room filled to celebrate her 23 years of service to the United Way of Cherokee and Clay counties. Among the dignitaries, three women felt more somber than jubilant at the thought of their colleague and friend leaving the organization.
Board member Linda Ray said, “She just understood the concept of sewing connection.” Fellow board member Christie Standish added, “She brings a presence of joy and knowledge.”
For Amanda McGee, director of the Cherokee County Department of Social Services and acting director of the United Way, Borchers’ contributions were enough to cause the board to pause for a few months to reorganize without her.
“She just gives and gives and gives,” McGee said. “She gets her energy from giving. She is rare.
“The board plans to enter a strategic planning process. We will evaluate our mission and vision. The board plans to specifically address the organization’s capacity to serve two counties. We also need an executive director with specific skills.”
As the room filled to capacity, Borchers made her way around to speak individually with each guest. It’s this attention to relationships, along with her passion to motivate others to serve, that will push the United Way into a temporary retreat in her absence.
Borchers is approaching retirement with equal levels of excitement and loss.
“It’s bittersweet,” she said. “I care about this organization. It gives me a chance to be involved in the community. I get to meet the people serving the community.”
Borchers moved to Murphy from Palm Beach, Fla., more than 20 years ago, diving into her new community with ferocity. A lifelong singer, Borchers joined the Young Harris Mountain Community Chorus, singing tenor in their concerts.
“I’ve been singing since I was 5 years old,” she said.
Borchers already has big plans for her retirement.
“I work with the Brasstown Concert Association, and I will be doing some grant writing,” she said.
For McGee and the United Way board, her brand of tenacious service and committed networking will be missed.