Celebrating Leadership: Welcoming William Brinker to the Village Foundation Board

William Brinker & Family receiving Community Service Award. Photo Courtesy of Lonnie Webster.

The Village Foundation of Blowing Rock is thrilled to welcome our newest board member, William Brinker, who was recently honored alongside his family at the Blowing Rock Chamber of Commerce Awards Luncheon. The Brinkers received well-deserved recognition for their dedication to supporting the community, especially through their extraordinary efforts in coordinating Hurricane Helene relief across northwestern North Carolina. Their initiative served as a beacon of hope during a time of need, inspiring countless others in the region to step up and contribute.

At the heart of the Brinkers' community work is the family motto: “See a Need, Fill a Need.” In their speech, the Brinker family highlighted this sentiment, reminding us all of the profound ripple effect of volunteerism. They shared that for each visible volunteer, there are countless others who work quietly behind the scenes, supporting these efforts in unseen but essential ways. “For every volunteer you observe, there is someone filling in for them at work, someone making them lunch, someone watching their children, and coordinating their logistics. Behind every volunteer, there are at least 10 more people supporting that one person, and another 10 behind each of them.”

This powerful message resonates deeply with the Village Foundation’s mission. William’s commitment to community action exemplifies the values we hold dear: unity, compassion, and the pursuit of positive change. The Brinker family's words are a testament to what it means to truly serve. They emphasized that "when a community rallies together, not only can we reach everyone; we can begin to heal together." Along with his family, his vision aligns seamlessly with the Foundation's goals to uplift and strengthen our village through collaborative efforts that bring lasting improvement to our public spaces and cherished gathering spots.

As we congratulate William and the Brinker family, we are also excited to see how William’s inspiring leadership will help shape the future of the Village Foundation of Blowing Rock. Together, we are building a brighter future for our community—one need at a time.