HELPING OTHERS BTC Fiber employee gives back by volunteering BY LISA SAVAGE
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onya Herron loves the sitcom “Friends,” and in one of her favorite episodes, the characters discuss that selfless good deeds do not exist. Herron, however, believes, and shows, that they do exist. “It does make you feel good knowing that you’re helping others,” she says, and one of the things she hates hearing most is, “Somebody needs to do something.” Herron says, “You can be that somebody.” That mindset has played a role for several years in her desire to volunteer. Herron, an employee in the accounting department at BTC Fiber for about two years, spends much of her time away from work volunteering for her community fire department, a book-sharing program and the band boosters. There’s always a need for more volunteers in any organization, she says.
SUPPORTING OTHERS Herron’s husband, Ken, is the fire chief at Southend Volunteer Fire Department, and she serves alongside him. Several couples are among the volunteers. And while Herron doesn’t go into burning buildings to fight fires, she says there’s plenty to do, including driving the fire truck and making sure the engines are running properly for a steady flow of water. There are always fundraising activities, too. “It’s a group effort, and it takes all of us,” she says. 8 | September/October 2019
Tonya Herron and her son, Sam Herron, ride on the back of the Southend Volunteer Fire Department’s truck during the Dunlap Fourth of July parade. Her husband, Ken Herron, is the fire chief and drives the truck.
Next door to the fire department, the Daus Community Center provides a meeting place for reunions and other events, and the Herrons keep the yard mowed and do other needed maintenance. Tonya Herron also operates a branch of the Little Free Library, a national nonprofit organization that inspires a love of reading, builds community and sparks creativity by fostering neighborhood book exchanges around the world. The Sequatchie County Public Library helped start the Little Free Library for the Daus community. Members of the community can get a book from the library, which resembles a giant birdhouse, or they can leave one. “It gets books in the hands of people who might not otherwise have access,” Herron says. “I always make sure books are available.” She also volunteers with the Sequatchie County Band Boosters, which supports the middle and high school band programs.
Herron brought the Little Free Library to her community.
The organization raises money through concession stand sales, yard sales and an annual strawberry sale. Funds pay for band competitions and other events. “We can send these kids to competitions and other events with a minimal cost to them,” she says. “If we didn’t do that, a lot of kids wouldn’t be able to go. We want them to experience more than just playing at ballgames on Friday nights.” Herron loves to tell others about the importance of volunteering. “It’s about making our communities better and helping others,” she says. BTC Fiber
