United Way's Portable Projects make service work easy

ASHEVILLE – I was terrified I was going to fail you this week: I didn't have time to volunteer. What with holiday deadlines, family visiting from Michigan, and the stress of cooking one's first turkey dinner, I had no idea where I was going to squeeze in my weekly commitment to service.

As I frantically combed through emails and interview notes from nonprofit providers looking for a quick and easy yet meaningful volunteer opportunity, I remembered something from one of the first meetings I took when I came to town — the United Way of Asheville and Buncombe County offers Portable Projects.

Thank God! I have still have my column (and my job).

"Our Portable Projects provide community service opportunities for families and individuals that fit their busy schedules," said my new savior, Charlie Lee, volunteer programs manager for Hands On Asheville-Buncombe, the volunteer program of the United Way.

Read more here.