Have a safe and happy Memorial Day!
Freedom Isn’t Free
On Memorial Day and daily, let us not Forget the freedoms we enjoy come at a great cost to those who serve and sacrifice. To our fallen soldiers and their families, thank you & God bless.
Our 33rd Year • Over 25,000 Weekly Readers ISSUE NO. 21 • May 22, 2025 • RutherfordWeekly.com • 828-248-1408
Shoot Out Hunger raised $11,000 for Meals on Wheels Article by Jean Gordon. Contributed Photos.
Rutherford Women’s League fundraiser
Participants pose after the safety lesson, ready to get started for the Shoot Out Hunger event.
Meals on Wheels is a lifesaver for 74-year-old Charles for help. Every contribution-financial or volunteer-brings “We are proud to support the Rutherford Women’s Allison of Rutherfordton and others in Rutherford County. us closer to making sure no senior in Rutherford County League in raising funds for such a vital community The meals program also allows some senior citizens to is left behind,” Aldridge said. service as the Home Delivered Meals program,” said stay at home. “With over 200 seniors currently served and a Justin Appling from Appling Boring Company. Allison said, “I don’t know what I’d do without Meals growing wait list, this support comes at a crucial time,” “As a Gold Sponsor, participating in this wellon Wheels...It’s so much more than food. They check Aldridge said. “It helps ensure that our most vulnerable organized event was truly a pleasure,” he said. on me. They are so friendly. It’s a great blessing and I senior citizens continue to receive the nutrition, Myra Cowan, owner of On Main in Spindale, shared couldn’t do without it.” care, and connection they need to remain healthy her enthusiasm for the cause: “On Main was honored to Allison is among 200 senior citizens in Rutherford and independent in their homes. Thank you for your sponsor the RWL Charity Shoot in support of the Home County who receive Meals on Wheels five days a creativity, compassion, and dedication. Your efforts Delivered Meals program. This program provides an week from the Rutherford County Senior Center’s have made a real difference-and together, we are truly invaluable service to our community, supporting seniors Nutrition program. Meals are cooked fresh each day, #MoreThanAMeal.” and the homebound with care and dignity. They are one consisting of meat, veggies, fruit, milk and juice and are “Shoot Out Hunger” fundraising Chair Jennifer of the many reasons this community is such a wonderful delivered throughout the county by a group of dedicated Appling said, “We are truly grateful to everyone who place to call home.” volunteers. participated, sponsored, and supported Shoot Out Patsy Kirkland, nutrition manager for the Senior Allison says his lunch meal is always enough for Hunger. It’s inspiring to see our League members and Center also expressed gratitude. supper. “So I get two meals out of every meal. That’s 20 greater community partners come together to make a “We are deeply grateful to the Rutherford Women’s real difference in the lives of our local seniors.” League for their generous support of our Home Delivered meals a month. It’s just wonderful.” Allison has Parkinson’s disease and can’t make his The fundraiser was held on the Cleghorn Gun Club Meals program through their recent “Shoot Out Hunger” own food. Without Meals on Wheels, Allison said he campus with 68 participants forming 17 teams for the fundraiser,” Kirkland said. “Their compassion and dedication are making a meaningful difference in the couldn’t live at home and would have to go to assisted clay pigeon shooting competition. living. lives of seniors across Rutherford County.” For Allison and the other seniors receiving Meals Kirkland said as the need for meals continues to on Wheels, a fundraising gift of $11,000 from the grow, the need for volunteer drivers also increases. Most volunteer routes take about an hour to Rutherford Women’s League assures the program will continue and be even stronger feeding those who complete, and it’s one of the most rewarding ways can’t make their own food and are still living in their you can give back. You can help once a month, once homes. a week, or even serve on call when a regular driver “On behalf of the Rutherford County Senior is unavailable. “Delivering meals is about more than nutritionCenter, I want to express our heartfelt thanks to it’s about connection, kindness, and showing our the Rutherford Women’s League for your incredible generosity and community spirit,” said Senior Center seniors they are not forgotten,” she said. “I have personally had seniors tell me ‘thank you,’ and that Director Tammy Aldridge. “The $11,000 raised without Meals on Wheels, they could not remain through your ‘Shoot Out Hunger’ event will have a direct and lasting impact on our Home Delivered in their homes. That kind of feedback is a powerful reminder of how essential this service is,” she said. Meals program. This gift is enough to provide daily meals for six homebound seniors for an entire year-a Donations are always needed to sustain and expand the program, Kirkland explained. truly remarkable contribution that speaks volumes about your commitment to our older adult population.” “Donations like this one are essential to expanding Team Mi Pueblito (left to right): Hunt Cowan, Curtis Hardin, Rodrigo our reach and reducing the number of seniors waiting Chavez, and John Eric Sorreles, enjoying one of the fifteen stands.
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