Her journey into volunteering was made easier through Hands On Asheville-Buncombe, United Way’s volunteer center. Through Hands On, she was able to find opportunities that fit her schedule and interests, making it simple to dive into service. Whether it was working at food markets, tutoring students, or assisting with community events, Summer discovered that there were countless ways to give back.
“When you think about volunteering three times a week, it seems like a lot, but if you want to volunteer, then it’s not that hard or difficult. On Hands On, you can set your hours.”
Tanger Outlets, where Summer works, has been in the community for about two years, but they’ve already made a meaningful impact. A core value of the company is putting the community first, and they encourage their employees to do the same. “They give every team at least 40 paid hours for volunteerism.”
Summer takes full advantage of this opportunity, but her passion for service extends beyond work hours. After Hurricane Helene, Tanger stepped up in a big way, bringing food, water, gas, and supplies to their employees. That same spirit of service continues today, connecting them with United Way and other local nonprofits that might not have been on their radar otherwise.
