Simply Saluting: Wilson County Community Help Center

Wilson County Community Help Center Executive Director Ben Spicer pictured with CedarStone Bank’s Jennifer Perry (former WCCHC board member, Tina Winfree (current WCCHC board member) and Bob McDonald (former WCCHC board member). 

Each month CedarStone Bank “simply salutes” an influential leader in Wilson County. This month the bank is proud to recognize the Wilson County Community Help Center.

The Wilson County Community Help Center was formed in 1988 when three local charities came together and united as one. Project Help, Golden Harvest Food Bank and the Faith Rescue Mission had helped those in need in Lebanon and Wilson County since the mid-1960s. The Wilson County Community Help Center was a product of that merger and was first under the direction of Executive Director Dot Maxey. The objective of the Help Center is to provide food, clothing, household necessities and financial assistance for utilities; fuel to out of county doctor medical appointments; and prescription drugs for individuals, elderly and cancer patients in need in our community. 

Mrs. Maxey’s original board consisted of several notable “givers” in the Lebanon community including Houston Turner, Will Allen Carpenter, Joanne Smith, Cassie Hallum, Pete Williams, Ronnie Kelly, Bob Werckle, Larry Tomlinson, Ed Blackburn, Mary Jo Cote, Sydney Berry, Wiley T. Bernard, Bobby Johnson, Fred Singleton, Marty Young, Andy Brummitt, Mike Jennings, Claudine Bissinger, Jean Reasonover and Lynn Nokes. Ronnie Doak and Gail Proctor operated the program after her retirement and now Ben Spicer is currently serving his third year as Executive Director. In 2015, the Help Center distributed more than 65,000 pounds of food to feed the hungry in Wilson County and provided more than 40,000 articles of free clothing to those in need.

CedarStone Bank salutes the Wilson County Community Help Center and its staff of workers, volunteers and current board members in their effort to make Wilson County an even better place to live and work!