SMALL TOWN FRIENDLY, BIG TIME RESULTS
Don't Miss This Week's
RUTHERFORD WEEKLY Our 33rd Year • Over 25,000 Weekly Readers ISSUE NO. 29 • July 17, 2025 • RutherfordWeekly.com • 828-248-1408
OnlineVersion Same As The Printed Copy!
If you're unable to get your regular copy of Rutherford Weekly, view it online at
rutherfordweekly.com
Maw-Maw’s Cheer putting smiles on faces of kids; ways to help the ministry Article by Jean Gordon. out about Maw-Maw’s Cheer and how we make a difference in a child’s life,” Cobb said. “Maw-Maw’s Cheer is focused on providing needs filed with joy,” Cobb emphasized. She wants to help children feel better about themselves. The ministry started as Christmas Cheer program to provide gifts for children in need and continues to grow in its third year. The devastation of Hurricane Helene across Western North Carolina last September 27 meant more work for Maw-Maw’s Cheer as the storm devastated the area. Last Christmas, just three months after the storm, Maw-Maw’s provided Christmas for 838 plus children in six western North Carolina counties. The majority of children assisted were in Rutherford County. Donations to make this possible came from across the county, state and others providing Christmas gifts. Habitat for Humanity reached out to help last Christmas and already this year, Toys for Tots has been in contact with Maw-Maw’s Cheer. Maw-Maws has grown to be a year-round 501 (c) (3) nonprofit ministry, helping provide winter clothing, shoes, Easter baskets, school supplies and much more, said Cobb. Financial relief often comes to families as the day-to-day food, clothing and hygiene products are provided by Maw-Maw’s. Numerous volunteers make the ministry successful including Anna Ellan, Kim Dunn, Leanna Bailey, Diane Holland, Mary Conner and Renee Hodge. Starlyn Thompson of Rutherfordton is also one of the faithful volunteers, whom Cobb refers to as one of the angels out there helping with Maw-Maw’s Cheer. Thompson said on social media recently she always leaves Maw-Maw’s Cheer Ministries location with a smile on her face. Maw-Maw’s Cheer Ministries rents a warehouse off NC Hwy. 221 where people can come for assistance. Supplies are then collected from throughout the warehouse and
Youth Works volunteers from Ohio helped pack book bags for school students, stocked shelves and helped pack items for children that had to go out immediately.
Anna Ellan inside the office area of the warehouse.
given to those needing help. “If we have it, we’ll give it away,” said Cobb. Other organizations have become partners with Maw-Maw’s and in turn Maw-Maw’s has partnered with others in Kentucky, West Virginia and most likely, soon the needs due to the disaster in Texas. “We’ve already been discussing that,” Cobb said of the Texas flooding. The Forest City Fire Department assisted last Christmas in distributing bicycles to children. “There are more good people than bad,” Ellan said of those always showing up to help. We’re just trying to build confidence in children,” she said. “Everybody is working together and there is a lot of need out there. There’s a huge need for food,” she continued. “Helene shattered our way of living but it will not stop our way of giving, especially to our kids,” Cobb said. She gives God the glory for Maw-Maw’s Cheer and said, “We walk in faith.” Monetary donations are always needed to pay for the rent of the warehouse. Checks are accepted at MawMaw’s Cheer, 123 Dogwood Lane, Rutherfordton or on Cash App and Vemo (check Facebook posts). The ministry also hosts silent auctions to help raise money. There is always a need for volunteers to help with bagging supplies during the time applicants come to pick up the items. The ministry location is off US 221 near the Danieltown community and is open Monday and Tuesday and Friday from 9am to 2pm. Occasionally there are Saturday hours if necessary for pick-ups.
Donna Cobb, executive director of Maw-Maw’s Cheer Ministries in the storage area.
WE WILL BUY YOUR CAR TODAY!
565 Oak Street, Forest City, NC
828-245-1626 www.legendaryford.com
©communityfirstmedia
Maw-Maw’s Cheer Ministries is all about providing for the needs of children in Rutherford County and Western North Carolina. In the aftermath of Hurricane Helene, back-to-school supplies, every day needs, and toys at the Christmas season are all facets of the ministry. But much more than giving a gift, clothes or food, this nonprofit organization is also about building confidence in the lives of children in Rutherford County and Western North Carolina from ages birth to 17. Executive Director Donna Cobb who began MawMaw’s Cheer with the help of other volunteers, wants to make sure all children have what they need to begin school and throughout the year. Herself a “maw-maw” helping children is what Cobb loves to do. As traditional schools in Rutherford County are set to begin August 11, Cobb and the others have been collecting back-to-school supplies so every child will have the items and even some things on their wish list to begin school. “This is a confidence builder” for children beginning school, Cobb said. During the past few weeks, Maw-Maw’s volunteers have been collecting school supplies and sneakers for the children. Friday, July 18, is the final day school supplies are being accepted for this school year. Supplies are collected at Habitat Restore, 686 West Main Street, Habitat Clothing Store, 269 West, Main Street and the Habitat Offices (in front of the clothing store) all in Forest City. It is also the final day to apply for assistance for supplies. (Call 828-289-1475 for more information.) Supplies were also provided for students at Forest City Dunbar Elementary, the county’s year-round school that began its new year last week. “Children in need is real and growing as more find