The Family County Family Connection (FCFC)building was dedicated Tuesday, June 27, as one person after another thanked the Chambers family for their generous donation of the facility.
It was Glenn and Lynda Chambers who donated the building several years ago as FCFC was losing its lease at its former location.
FCFC Executive Director Sherry Morris said that in hindsight being asked to relocate was “a blessing.” The new building became a place where the organization “could reconnect, where we continue to serve our community.”
Glenn and Lynda, along with their sons Chris and Patrick, listened as various FCFC board members and volunteers expressed appreciation for the Chambers’ donation and hard work.
Cathy Cox-Brakefield told how, in the former FCFC location, “We had a lot of things that really didn’t have a home.” The new, 10,000-square-foot building donated by the Chambers solved that problem.
Jim Yacavone, who served on the FCFC board for eight-and-a-half years, said when the Chambers stepped forward it was “like a miracle,” likening that miracle to its results. For instance, the old food pantry space was less than a fourth of what is available now.
Like so many speakers, Yacavone talked of how the facility expanded FCFC’s ability “to serve” the community.
It also gave staff and volunteers, “A greater belief and hope we can do more.”
FCFC Treasurer Tom Niswander said the donation has created stability and longevity for the non-profit that very few similar organizations enjoy.
But praise for the Chambers went beyond the donation of a building. Their counterparts in the food pantry praised their hard work, dedication, and friendship.
Glenn Chambers expressed the family’s gratitude, saying when he and Lynda moved to Blue Ridge in 2017 they wanted “to give back to the community” by volunteering. They became involved FCFC and it wasn’t long until they learned the organization would have to relocate.
He told the story of how he obtained the building “after long negotiations.”
Chambers then praised the work of FCFC staff and volunteers for having taken a shell of a building and turning it into, “A first rate, multi-use facility.”
“I’m very proud to see what you’ve done with our donation,” Chambers said.