There is a truth every growing organization eventually has to face. We cannot do everything ourselves.

 

We like to think we can muscle through any obstacle. Sometimes we can. Other times, the smarter move is collaboration.

 

That is exactly what happened with WNC Firewood in Brevard.

 

Firewood has been a byproduct of Grounded Boots Relief operations for a while now. We cut it. We split it. We stack it. Then we wait. And wait. Seasoning wood properly takes six to nine months. Meanwhile, families need heat now.

WNC Firewood focuses primarily on Transylvania County. Many of our deliveries, however, have been in Polk County and surrounding areas. Instead of duplicating effort and waiting nearly a year for green wood to dry, we worked out a mutually beneficial agreement. We provide green wood. They provide seasoned wood. The result is immediate distribution capability in areas they do not otherwise serve, without pulling them away from their core focus.

 

It extends their reach. It accelerates ours. And it gets dry firewood into the hands of people who need it.

 

We also had the opportunity to volunteer alongside them for a day. Seeing their operation up close reinforced what we already believed. They are disciplined, focused, and deeply committed to their lane. We are grateful not only for the agreement, but for their willingness to collaborate in the first place.

 

This is what force multiplication looks like. We are not a massive organization. But we are adaptable. We build relationships. We look for leverage instead of ego. As our network grows, so does our capacity. Not by doing everything ourselves, but by working smarter together.

This Saturday, February 28, we are planning another Volunteer Work Day.

 

We are finalizing the exact location, but it is expected to be in Henderson County. The focus will be debris removal and hauling materials to the transfer station for a resident who experienced significant loss during Hurricane Helene. This is straightforward, hands on work that makes an immediate difference.

 

We are aiming to begin at 10:00 AM. Depending on turnout, we anticipate approximately three hours on site. The more hands we have, the more ground we can cover.

 

If you are available and ready to work, we would be grateful for your help. For real time updates, location confirmation, and coordination details, join our Discord server here: https://discord.gg/7ZK9UbwJpR

 

We train like we deploy, and we show up when it matters.

 

For immediate needs, we are seeking two bartenders for upcoming benefit events at Continuum in Hendersonville. The first is this Friday the 27th, and the second is March 7th. These are one night, high energy opportunities to directly support our mission while serving the community in a different capacity. If you have experience behind a bar and want to plug in quickly, these are strong entry points.
 February 27: https://ideali.st/oeXW5d
 March 7: https://ideali.st/5nFuT2

 

On the operational side, we are continuing to build depth in leadership.

 

We are seeking a Long Term Recovery Lead. This role requires consistency, coordination with property owners, and the ability to lead boots on the ground volunteer days. It is a structured position for someone who wants to take ownership of projects and help drive impact over time. More information is available here: https://ideali.st/Kb2BnM

 

We are also looking for a Volunteer Coordinator. As the organization grows, onboarding, communication, and placement become critical. This role helps ensure the right people land in the right lanes and that volunteers feel informed, valued, and utilized effectively. Details can be found here: https://ideali.st/7A3yUe

 

Beyond these highlighted positions, there are numerous ways to get involved. Some roles are event based. Others are strategic and long term. Whether you want to step in for a single evening or help build infrastructure that lasts for years, there is space for you here.

 

If you have skill, initiative, and the desire to contribute meaningfully, we would welcome the conversation.

  Freshly cut firewood can contain so much internal moisture that much of the heat from your fire is wasted just boiling water out of the log instead of warming your home. Even worse, burning unseasoned wood produces excess creosote buildup inside chimneys, which can eventually ignite and cause chimney fires. Wet wood is not just inefficient. It is a safety risk.  
Source: UKY.edu

Confession. I do not know everything. This will stun absolutely no one, especially anyone who has watched me bypass perfectly clear instructions in favor of “I’ve got this.”

 

If I could walk into a Build a Mentor Workshop and design one from scratch, here is what I would select. Someone who built a successful nonprofit without starting with seven figures in the bank. Someone who made something out of nothing and little institutional know how. Someone who can look at my ever expanding list and say, “These three things matter. The rest can wait.” Someone who understands the frustrations, without treating that frustration like a character flaw. I have questions constantly. Some can be solved with a search bar and stubbornness. Others require a class. But every so often I hit a question that does not justify a four hour seminar and a spiral bound workbook about synergy. That is where mentorship comes in. I am actively looking for it.

 

Not someone who dissects organizations for sport. I want someone who understands borrowed equipment, thin margins, and the uncomfortable faith that this just might work. I need a mentor who can corral my occasional “squirrel!” moments and say, calmly, “Focus. Build this first.” Accountability matters. I am fortunate to have strong business guidance, but nonprofits operate in a different ecosystem. Legal nuance. Public trust. Donation stewardship. Board governance. From a distance it looks like business. Up close, it plays by different rules.

 

I am in conversations with a couple of individuals to see what wisdom they may be willing to share pro bono. They may not have founded their own nonprofits, but some people prove their competence by how they operate, not by the titles they invented. That kind of experience still counts.

 

Now, about these newsletters: I genuinely enjoy writing them. They force reflection. They show you how the sausage is made, and occasionally how the sausage machine jammed and required percussive maintenance. I have always wished I could read someone else’s unfiltered notes as their dream was taking shape. This is my attempt at that.

 

That said, we may be appearing in your inbox more frequently than you expected. Judging by our open rates, many of you are reading. Which is flattering. And mildly terrifying. We are not stopping. We are simply shifting to a biweekly rhythm. Fewer emails. Stronger signal. More substance, less word count gymnastics. If you do not see us next Sunday, do not panic. We are still here. Just sharpening the pencil before the next round.