Stepping Up in the Storm:
How Alex Knowles Turned Volunteering into a Vocation
Several months after Hurricane Helene, the storm’s destruction is still evident in many areas of the High Country. Even when the debris finally disappears, everyone who experienced this historic event will carry with them their own unforgettable story. Some stories are heartbreaking, others uplifting, and some reveal unexpected silver linings. Many accounts highlight people stepping up to support their neighbors and communities in remarkable ways.
Alex Knowles stepped up and it led to a new opportunity.
Stranded by the flooding, Alex could not get home and could not get to his job in Banner Elk, so he came to Watauga Medical Center (WMC) where he knew there would be electricity and food in the cafeteria. He slept in the hospital lobby the first night and overheard some nurses talking about the cafeteria needing help.
“I was one of the very fortunate people who made it through the hurricane without a scratch. I only lost power for a few hours and after seeing how bad so many people got hit, I felt it my duty to give back as much as I could,” he said. “My job was a seasonal job so I was actually in the process of looking for a winter job, and after volunteering and finding out they needed help in the kitchen, it worked out great.”
Alex was a chef during the summer at Diamond Creek Golf Club in Banner Elk and he normally is a traveling chef during the winter months.
He recalls that while volunteering, everyone he met had a positive attitude, and that was what helped him decide to turn his volunteer work into a career as a cook in the WMC cafeteria.
Alex says the most rewarding part of working in the cafeteria “is being able to give patients and their families a delicious meal during what is most likely not a good time in their lives if they are here at the hospital.”
Amanda Burkleo, Operations Manager for UNC Health Appalachian Dietary said that hiring Alex was an easy decision and he has proven to be an asset, often working overtime to help meet needs at both WMC and Cannon Memorial Hospital.
Though not every volunteering experience becomes a full-time job, volunteering is a fulfilling way to make a difference in the community – not just during a crisis.
“Volunteering is an extremely fulfilling experience and as part of the community, it is your duty to participate in taking care of the people in it,” Alex said. “Your typical 1st responders (police, fire, EMS) are very important and appreciated, but what some people learned after the hurricane is that sometimes the ultimate first responder is your neighbor. It takes a village!”
And our village is a better place because of people like Alex.
Volunteers are essential in supporting our patients, visitors, and staff, contributing across various areas of our healthcare system. Interested in making a difference? Click here to learn more about volunteering at UNC Health Appalachian.
Looking for a new career? Explore our current job openings today!
