South Raleigh News

Over the Martin Luther King, Jr. weekend, Governor Josh Stein dedicated his time to volunteer work in western North Carolina. The activities aimed to honor Dr. King's legacy of service and concluded with a significant gathering on Tuesday when Governor Stein brought his entire Cabinet to the region. Each Secretary engaged in a service project across 12 different counties.

"Western North Carolina will need help for the long haul, and it's going to take hard work from all of us to get the job done,” said Governor Josh Stein. “This weekend, I was proud to see North Carolinians come together to give their time, energy, and money toward helping their neighbors recover and rebuild – I cannot thank them enough, and Anna and I were honored to participate.”

Governor Stein participated in several events over the weekend. On Saturday, he attended the 44th Annual Commemoration and Prayer Breakfast organized by the Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Association of Asheville and Buncombe County. During his speech, he emphasized how Dr. King's life encourages everyone to contribute positively.

Throughout the weekend, Governor Stein volunteered with various organizations across Buncombe, Henderson, and Mitchell Counties. He worked with Hearts with Hands in Swannanoa sorting clothing; at St. James Episcopal Church in Hendersonville bagging food for families; and assisted Baptist on Mission in Spruce Pine rebuilding homes.

The Governor's Cabinet members spread out today across Avery, Buncombe, Haywood, Henderson, Jackson, Madison, McDowell, Polk, Rutherford, Swain, Transylvania, and Watauga Counties to carry out service projects.

Governor Stein previously directed the North Carolina Office of State Human Resources to allow an additional 16 hours of Community Service Leave for state employees engaged in storm-related volunteer efforts.