Opportunities From: Sister-Corps

Goal: To learn how to design and construct a handicap ramp following ADA guidelines while helping meet the mobility limitations of ramp recipients and allow them to have safe ingress and egress to and from their homes. Of note, this is a pilot program for one year to determine if ramp building would be feasible across Sister-Corps. In addition, ramp locations are picked with a focus on being in communities where Sister-Corps volunteers live to allow for local investment by volunteers. This is the 2nd project in the pilot program in 2026.

Volunteers: 8-10 Sister-Corps volunteers with baseline knowledge and skills using drills, impact drivers, compound miter saws, and circular saws. Power Tool Safety Verification will be required to use power tools, and it offered on site for those needing verification.

Dates: July 30 - August 2, 2026

                  Arrival and PTSV: July 30

                  Ramp Construction: July 31 and August 1

                  Departure: August 2

Accommodations: Options include sharing an Airbnb, local hotels, and dry camping and/or staying at Beth’s home in Raleigh.

Cost: Accommodations (if Airbnb or hotel), personal food (we will likely order take-out and go out to eat for dinners), and travel expenses to and from Raleigh. Volunteers will provide their own snacks and lunch and drinks at the job site each day.

Attire and tools: Volunteers are asked to wear appropriate PPE (hard hat, eye protection, ear protection, gloves, knee pads, work boots) and a Sister-Corps t-shirt. If a t-shirt is needed, one may be purchased from Sister-Corps. Volunteers are asked to each bring personal tools (measuring tape, carpenter’s pencil, hammer, speed square, drill and impact driver), and we will divide up other needed tools (i.e. extension cords, post hole digger, shovel, spud bar, broom, chalk line, string, framing square, pry bar, etc.) once the group has been formed. Sister-Corps provides power tools as well.

Project Director: Beth Fry; 252-916-8487; sixfrys2go@icloud.com

ORDER T-SHIRTS (optional)   https://sistercorps.itemorder.com/shop/home/

Next Steps:

1.        Click the “Respond” button on this page to begin registration.

2.        Answer the questions in the link for volunteer skills.

3.        Complete the required background check when email to do so is received.

4.        Join the private Facebook group:

a.        2026.07 NC Ramp Project #2.

b.        For registered volunteers, board members and S-C administration.

c.        Of note, communication with group volunteers will also be by text message and email.

Goal: To learn how to design and construct a handicap ramp following ADA guidelines while helping meet the mobility limitations of ramp recipients and allow them to have safe ingress and egress to and from their homes. Of note, this is a pilot program for one year to determine if ramp building would be feasible across Sister-Corps. In addition, ramp locations are picked with a focus on being in communities where Sister-Corps volunteers live to allow for local investment by volunteers. This is the 3rd project in the pilot program in 2026.

Volunteers: 8-10 Sister-Corps volunteers with baseline knowledge and skills using drills, impact drivers, compound miter saws, and circular saws. Power Tool Safety Verification will be required to use power tools and is offered on site for those needing verification.

Dates: August 9 - August 12, 2026

Arrival and PTSV: August 9, 2026

Ramp Construction: August 10 and August 11 building 2 ramps

Departure: August 11 or 12 Depending on your distance home

Accommodations: Airbnb located in Lebanon Virginia

Cost: Split cost of the Airbnb (we will divide the cost after I see how many volunteers respond) Personal food (we will likely order take-out and go out to eat for dinner), and travel expenses to and from Virginia. Volunteers will provide their own snacks, lunch, and drinks at the job site each day.

Attire and tools: Volunteers are asked to wear appropriate PPE (hard hat, eye protection, ear protection, gloves, knee pads, work boots) and a Sister-Corps t-shirt. If a t-shirt is needed, one may be purchased from Sister-Corps. Volunteers are asked to each bring personal tools (measuring tape, carpenter’s pencil, hammer, speed square, drill and impact driver), and we will divide up other needed tools (i.e. extension cords, post hole digger, shovel, spud bar, broom, chalk line, string, framing square, pry bar, etc.) once the group has been formed. Sister-Corps provides power tools as well.

Project Director: Cathy Miller 276-492-4363; cmiller@sister-corps.org

ORDER T-SHIRTS (optional)   https://sistercorps.itemorder.com/shop/home/

Next Steps:

1.        Click the “Respond” button on this page to begin registration.

2.        Answer the questions in the link for volunteer skills.

3.        Complete the required background check when email to do so is received.

4.        Join the private Facebook group:

           a.        2026.08 VA Ramp Project #3.

           b.        For registered volunteers, board members and S-C administration.

           c.        Of note, communication with group volunteers will also be by text message and                                             email.

Forest Fillies amongst the Giant Sequoias — Join us for a weekend of volunteer stewardship from August 13–16, 2026 in beautiful Sequoia and Kings Canyon National Parks.
August 14 is an optional work day. Park projects are announced 1–2 weeks before the arrival date.

Past park projects have included: meadow restoration work, picking up trash in the museum parking lot, repair gill nets, truth grounding of giant trees, seed head collecting (just to name a few).

When: August 13–16, 2026
Where: Sequoia National Park, Tulare County, California
Event Name: Sequoia Sisters - Forest Fillies
Project Organizer: Monica Bourke (Park Liaison)
Cost: $35.00 (you may bring your donation when you arrive — the fee covers the cost of all four provided meals)

We will be tent camping in a primitive setting at Wolverton Service Camp. No tent? No problem! Just let Monica Bourke know, and extra tents can be provided.

The campground has ample potable water, porta potties are on site, and a dump tank for all gray water.

Due to bear activity in the area, all food, cosmetics, and anything scented must be stored in one of the many bear boxes on the site.

There are no showers at the camp; however, the showers at Lodgepole (2 miles away) should be open. Lodgepole also has a restaurant, grocery items, and a camp store in case you need anything while you are there.

There will probably be NO FIRES allowed at Wolverton Camp; however, if fire alerts are low, the camp sometimes permits fires.

The camp is at 7000 feet, and it gets cold at night. Please bring lots of warm layers. Also, please allow yourself time to adjust to the altitude when you arrive.

Phone / Connectivity

A Verizon tower was erected in 2023, and for those who have Verizon, you may be able to get cell phone service in and around the campground. However, most of the park has no cell phone service, and the closest tower is 45 minutes away.

What to Bring

A complete list of what to bring will be covered once the group has been identified.

Camp Host / Emergencies

There is a camp host who lives on-site. If there are emergencies, the host is available to intervene.

Pets

NO DOGS are allowed in the camp or on the trails in the park. Please leave all your fur babies at home.

Tentative Agenda (subject to change)

There may be an optional work day on Friday (if this happens and you want to join, you would arrive on Thursday).

Thursday (Aug 13):
If you are taking advantage of the optional work day for Friday, arrive to the campground by 4:00 PM — set up camp — dinner on your own OR you can join the group for dinner at the Lodge.

Friday (Aug 14):

Optional Project Day — project TBA closer to the date

For everyone else: Arrive at the service camp by 4:00 PM

Set up your tent and store your food

Group dinner around 6:00 PM

Camp rules reviewed during dinner + bear safety lesson

Saturday (Aug 15):

7:30–8:00 Breakfast will be provided

8:00–8:30 Pack your lunch and get ready for the day’s work

8:30 Leave at 8:30 SHARP for the project location

9:00–3:00 Volunteer

12:00 LUNCH: Please come prepared with two packed trail-style lunches. We will have lunch at the meadow.

6:00 DINNER: Group dinner to be provided

Sunday (Aug 16):

Breakfast will be provided

Check out is 12:00 PM

Possible trail trekking in the Giant Forest once you are packed up and ready to go (rules keep changing every year with the Rangers, so we will have to see what the rules will be this year for usage of the Service Camp).

Install vinyl plank flooring in 3 rooms at the women’s shelter, The Well (formerly Loving Grace) to help them move 1 step closer to housing women in need.

Volunteers: 8 – 10 Sister-Corps volunteers with previous flooring experience.

Dates: August 18 – August 22, 2026

            Arrival: August 18th

            Flooring Installation: August 19th – 21nd

            Departure: August 22nd   

Accommodations: St. Paul’s United Methodist Church.  Bring an air mattress/cot and bedding. 

Costs: Travel expenses to and from Joplin, MO, personal food.  Volunteers will provide their own snacks   and lunches at the job site each day.  Wednesday and Thursday dinners will be provided.  Other meals to be determined. 

Attire and tools: Volunteers are asked to wear appropriate PPE (eye protection, ear protection, gloves, knee pads, work boots) and a Sister-Corps t-shirt. If a t-shirt is needed, one may be purchased from Sister-Corps.

Project Director: Shelly Hayes; 918-348-4262; shayes@sister-corps.org

Hurricane Helene brought widespread destruction to the southern Appalachian region in late September 2024. Rainfall totals of 20 or more inches resulted in historic levels of flooding and landslides while hurricane-force winds contributed to significant property and land damage. Homes and businesses as well as roads, bridges and electrical and water infrastructure were impacted.  Residents in western North Carolina are continuing to rebuild with the help of groups like Sister-Corps.

During our week of volunteering we will partner with Fuller Center Disaster ReBuilders, who are doing both rebuilds and new home construction to make affordable housing possible in communities devastated by Hurricane Helene. Possible sites include Swannanoa, Black Mountain and Old Fort. Our volunteer jobs may include drywall, painting, trim work, flooring, ramps or other tasks as needed during the time we are working.

This project is a companion with the Sister-Corps Project in Eastern Tennessee which will occur in late October. You are welcome to join us for one or both projects and to even stay here in our part of the country between the projects to enjoy all that the Appalachians have to offer!

Team Structure:

            Project Director: Beth Fry, 252-916-8487, sixfrys2go@icloud.com.

Assistant Project Director: Tammy Fuller, 509-370-3006, tammyfuller1958@gmail.com.

            Teams: Approximately 4 teams of 5 volunteers each working at different job sites.

Project Dates:

            Thursday, September 17, 2026: Advance team arrives.

            Friday, September 18, 2026: Team Leads arrive.

            Sunday, September 20, 2026: Volunteers arrive; Power Tool Safety Verification.

            Monday, September 21 – Friday, September 25, 2026: Workdays.

            Saturday, September 26, 2026: Break down camp and depart.

Accommodations:

We will stay in a lodge on the Montreat Conference Center grounds. The accommodations include bunk beds, showers, kitchen, dining/meeting rooms, large scenic porches and beautiful mountain surroundings. We will send details regarding the address of the lodge in early September.

Please leave pets at home in their safe, comfortable surroundings.

Registration Details:

Cost: $ 100, which covers accommodations and meals. Fee is nonrefundable but transferrable.

Meals: Our Meal Team will work diligently to accommodate specific dietary requests. We will provide breakfast and supper at the lodge and will pack bag lunches to take to our job sites. We will go into Black Mountain for dinner one night to support the local economy.

T-shirts: ***New Procedure*** If you have Sister-Corps t-shirts, you are welcome to bring them to wear at this project. Blue is for Project Directors; Red is for Medical Team Members; and Gray is for Team Leaders and Team Volunteers. Of note, we generally have 1 short sleeve and 1 long sleeve t-shirt per project. If you need to purchase t-shirts, please use the link below to order your new shirt(s). We will bring your new t-shirt(s) to the project. 

Link to order T-Shirts 

https://sistercorpnorthcarolina.itemorder.com/shop/home/

PAYMENT LINK:  https://secure.myvanco.com/L-Z8HQ/campaign/C-16CGN

Next Steps:

1.      Click the ‘respond’ button on this page to begin your registration process.

2.      Complete the questions from the Project Director regarding skills and interests.

3.      Pay the registration fee by following the payment link. Your spot is secured once your fee is paid. Note, fees are non-refundable, but they are transferable to the next person on the waitlist.

4.      Join our Facebook group (2026.09 Western North Carolina Sister-Corps Project) for updates and community discussions. Information will also be communicated by email.

5.      Complete the required background check once email to do so is received.

6.      Get ready to do good work, have some fun and serve those in need. Hope you can join us!

Three rivers-the Pigeon, Nolichucky, and French Broad-run through Cocke County Tennessee.  Catastrophic flooding of these rivers from Hurricane Helene damaged or destroyed hundreds of homes and businesses throughout the county.  Long term recovery is estimated to take several years.  Cocke County is in Northeast Tennessee, bordering North Carolina to the Southeast and is situated along the I-40 Corridor.  A significant portion of the county is within the Great Smoky Mountains National Park and the Cherokee National Forest. Sister-Corps will partner with the Cocke County Long Term Recovery Group to assist in rebuilding Cocke County and the city of Newport Tennessee.

This project is a companion with the Sister-Corps Project in Western North Carolina which will occur in late September.  You are welcome to join us for one or both projects and to even stay in our part of the country between the projects to enjoy all that the Appalachians have to offer!

Team Structure:

Project Director:  Cathy Miller    (276)492-4363.     cathymiller6691@gmail.com

Key Dates:

Thursday 10/22/26: Advance team arrive

Friday 10/23/26: Basecamp Coordinator, Inventory Lead, Work Team Leads, and Medical Team arrive

Sunday 10/25/26: All other volunteers arrive; Power Tool Safety Verification

Monday 10/26/26- Friday 10/30/26: Workdays

Saturday 10/31/26: Break down camp and depart

Housing and Meals:

We will be staying at Carson Springs Baptist Conference Center located at 1120 Carson Springs Road, Newport TN 37821in Pine Lodge.  This will be bunking-style accommodation(all lower bunks) with bathrooms and showers in the center of the lodge.  There will also be 5 campsites available on a first come first serve basis so if you are traveling in your RV and prefer a campsite, please let me know ASAP.

The Food Service Team from Carson Springs will be preparing our meals for us and will be happy to accommodate any allergies and/or special dietary requirements.

Cost and Requirements:

-Project fee:  $95 This includes accommodation and meals only and is nonrefundable but transferrable.

Pay Project fee here:

https://secure.myvanco.com/L-Z8HQ/campaign/C-16CGR

-*** New Procedure***

T-Shirts: If you have Sister-Corps t-shirts you are welcome to bring them to wear at this project.  Blue is for Project Directors; Red is for the Medical Team; and Gray is for the Team Leaders and Team Volunteers. If you need to buy t-shirts you can do that with link below.  We generally buy 1 short sleeve and 1 long sleeve but will leave that to your discretion. Please let Cathy know if you have any questions.

T SHIRT LINK:

https://sister-corpstennessee.itemorder.com/shop/home/

-Please leave pets at home in their safe, comfortable surroundings.

Next Steps-Checklist

1.        Click the ‘respond’ button on this page to begin your registration process.

2.        Complete the questions from the Project Director regarding skills and interests.

3.        Pay the registration fee by following the payment link.  Your spot is secured once your fee is paid.  Note, fees are non-refundable, but they are transferable to the next person on the waitlist.

4.        Join our Facebook group(2026.10 TN Cocke County Project) for updates and community discussions.  Information will also be communicated by email.

5.        Complete the required background check once email to do so is received.

This is the place to log in your ongoing administrative work for the Board