Sonya Allen’s September profile on the islanders who have served in the Peace Corps, AmeriCorps and the foreign service confirms why living on Ocracoke attracts those who feel a need to help others and provide community service.
Why? Because here they can and are appreciated for doing so.
Romania, Philippines, Panama, Swaziland, West Cameroon, Turkey, Fiji Islands and Macedonia are diverse countries, yet they create a bonding for Peace Corps volunteers who can relate their experiences with those who have served in other countries.
All the volunteers highlighted in this story love the Ocracoke community and they, in turn, help on Ocracoke whenever possible.
The Peace Corps and AmeriCorps provide an opportunity for young people to expand their horizons by engaging in national and international service and acquiring a variety of skills that can be used in future.
Importantly, these organizations provide opportunities to collaborate with others from diverse backgrounds.
During their time in service, volunteers encounter tricky situations requiring them to make decisions and these experiences lead to increased resilience and confidence.
A few years back, Ocracoke was the benefactor of a diligent team of nine from the AmeriCorps National Civilian Community Corps (NCCC), who spent a month on Ocracoke at the invitation of the Cape Hatteras National Seashore.
AmeriCorps NCCC takes on Ocracoke; we win!
They repaired the boardwalk and handrails on the Hammock Hills nature trail that had been battered over the years from our many storms. The lighthouse grounds looked much nicer after they repaired portions of the boardwalk and painted the fence.
But that was not the highlight of their year in the service.
Earlier, they were mobilized for post-Hurricane Florence (2018) disaster work in South Carolina.
Those nine volunteers got close to many in the communities they worked in and people would stop them and ask for their help.
But it is not just these two Kennedy-era service programs that lead to personal growth, self-discovery and a larger world view.
Many colleges and high schools, including Ocracoke, require some form of community service before graduating.
Several students over the past couple of years, on their own initiatives, have joined the Ocracoke Volunteer Fire Department with junior volunteer status until they turn 18.
Their work is helping the fire department, and they are learning life-long skills.
Locally, tongue-in-cheek advice to folks moving to the island is: “Watch out. Once word gets out that you have (an array of skills), you may be asked to serve on a board.”
It is heartening to see that new arrivals often agree to help, but there still is a volunteer gap on Ocracoke, which has almost as many nonprofits needing volunteer help as for-profit businesses needing paid staff.
Ocracoke is governed by Hyde County and relies heavily on several advisory and authority boards composed of volunteers.
Ocracoke’s county commissioner Randal Mathews recently told the Observer that he is looking to fill several positions.
And many of the nonprofits could use more volunteers. Calls for volunteer help at meetings and events go on all the time.
Volunteers can receive a deep sense of purpose and personal satisfaction in knowing they are making a difference in their community.
Volunteer services looks good on a resume and can also lead to jobs as prospective employers will be able to see your interests and commitment in action.
Many islanders are retirees, but that doesn’t mean they are no longer active.
“Since I ‘retired,’ I’ve never been so busy,” said one person approaching his 70s who is involved with three nonprofit organizations.
At this time of thanksgiving, we’re taking the time to thank those on the island who served in the Peace Corps, AmeriCorps, the military, are volunteer first-responders, who organize fundraisers and help with the important work of the many nonprofits and on the vital advisory boards.
They are all committed to serving our country and making our communities better places to live.
The following are Ocracoke nonprofits:
Ocracoke Volunteer Fire Department
Ocracats Inc.
Ocracoke Preservation Society
Ocracoke Alive, including its Needle & Thread Club (aka the quilters)
Ocracoke Friends of the Library
BHM Regional Library (of which Ocracoke is a branch)
Ocracoke School
Ocracoke Education Foundation
Ocracoke Community Pool Association,
Ocracoke Community Radio WOVV. 90.1 FM
Ocracoke Decoy Carvers Guild
Ocracoke Foundation
Ocracoke Health Center
Ocracoke Interfaith Relief & Recovery Team
Ocracoke Island Running Club
Ocracoke Working Watermen’s Association
Ocracoke Youth Center
Ocracoke United Methodist Church
Ocracoke Life Saving Church
Ocracoke Stella Maris Catholic Chapel
