Andie Gottlieb has joined as Director of Operations. In this role, she oversees the logistics and daily operations of Hinton’s programs and events, including lodging, meal planning, and retreat coordination. Andie brings strong leadership and organizational skills to our team along with experience as she served previously on our summer staff and is currently pursuing her Master’s in Psychology through Pepperdine University’s Graduate School of Education.

Hannah von Hof joins us as Marketing & Communications Assistant. A North Georgia native, Hannah supports Hinton’s mission through digital and print communications, storytelling, and outreach. She brings a background in media and promotion and currently serves as a 2025 Ambassador for the Blairsville-Union County Chamber of Commerce.

Please join us in welcoming Andie and Hannah as they begin their journey at Hinton Center. We are grateful for the skills and passion each of them brings to our mission!

Mark your calendars! Join us Saturday, August 23, for the Swing for Hinton – Swing for Hope Charity Golf Tournament. All proceeds benefit our local outreach programs. It’s a great way to give back while enjoying a day on the green!

Hinton Center will host its 5th annual “Swing for Hinton, Swing for Hope” Golf Tournament, at Mountain Harbour Golf Club in Hayesville, NC. Check‑in opens at 8:00 am, followed by a 9:00 am shotgun start. The tournament features a 4‑person best‑ball format, limited to 88 players, and includes a light breakfast, snacks with bottled water, and lunch at the Mountain Harbour Grill. There will be fun hole‑in‑one contests, prizes, raffle drawings, and separate church and ladies flight competitions.

This charity event supports Hinton’s community ministries in Clay, Cherokee, and Towns counties—such as the Safe & Healthy Home Repair, Firewood Ministry, Christmas Care, and more. Sponsorship opportunities are available at $400 (Driver), $200 (Chipper), and $100 (Putter) levels, with registration for sponsors due by August 11. For more information, please reach out to Hannah or Jeremy at [email protected], [email protected], or call 828‑389‑8336.

Hinton Rural Life Center is excited to welcome five new board members for 2025 and to honor the remarkable service of Mary Jo Reeves, whose board term concluded in December 2024 but will continue to serve as an honorary board member. We appreciate Mary Jo Reeves for her years of faithful leadership, vision, and tireless commitment to the mission of Hinton Center. “As Hinton Center moves forward, we honor Mary Jo’s dedication over the years and welcome new leaders to help guide us into our next chapter,” said President and CEO Jacqueline Gottlieb.

Rev. Betsy Eaves, a retired United Methodist pastor, brings a lifetime of ministry experience and spiritual guidance. She has served as a chaplain, pastor, Enneagram teacher, life coach, and spiritual director. Her love of nature, acoustic guitar, and spiritual retreats reflects her deeply holistic approach to faith and service.

James Mason, a U.S. Army veteran with over thirty years of service, has also worked for the Mississippi Conference of The United Methodist Church. After recently completing a mission volunteer placement at Hinton Center, James brings his strong leadership, nonprofit experience, and heart for serving others to the board.

Rev. Jeremy Noffsinger, currently serving at Calhoun First United Methodist Church in Georgia, brings a unique path to ministry that began in law enforcement and youth development. His commitment to community-building and revitalizing mission programs is aligned with Hinton’s heart for outreach and transformation.

Attorney James Freeman, based in Elkin, NC, brings more than 30 years of legal expertise, focusing much of his work on representing children in abuse and neglect cases. He is also active in youth ministry and missions at his local church, combining professional insight with a deep passion for service.

Bishop Robin Dease, resident bishop of the North Georgia Conference of The United Methodist Church, is joining Hinton’s Board of Directors, as Bishop Ken Carter steps away from the Board due to other commitments. We are grateful for the guidance and support Bishop Carter, of the Western North Carolina Conference, has provided Hinton over the years, most recently as a Board member. Bishop Carter and his family have long been “friends of Hinton” and faithful supporters of Hinton’s mission and ministries.

We welcome Bishop Robin Dease to the Hinton family and are excited about her leadership in the North Georgia Conference and her enthusiasm to serve as an active and engaged member of our Board. She is in her second year as Bishop of that conference and, prior to her election to the episcopacy, served as pastor and district superintendent in the South Carolina Conference. She has been involved in numerous denominational and conference boards and committees.

“We are excited for what lies ahead,” said Gottlieb. “With fresh perspectives, diverse experience, and servant hearts, these new leaders will help us grow and continue serving our community with purpose and love.”

It’s an exciting season at Hinton Center as our Summer Missions program is in full swing. We’re grateful to have an outstanding group of summer staff and are anticipating over 500 youth and adult participants throughout the 10-week program.

Mission teams have already begun arriving from across the country, including Wisconsin, Texas, Virginia, Florida, Ohio, North and South Carolina, Georgia, Kentucky, and Alabama. These dedicated groups are serving the local community through a wide variety of projects such as painting, yard work, building accessibility ramps, porches, stairs, firewood production and sheds, and raised bed gardens.

One highlight this summer is our continued partnership with the Clay County Master Gardeners to provide raised garden beds to families interested in growing their own food.

Rev. Dawn Martin, Minister of Mission Outreach and Engagement, shared a recent story: “One of the projects we completed was for Mr. Perry, a neighbor with extensive home repair knowledge who is no longer physically able to do the work himself. Our mission teams repaired his porch and built an accessibility ramp—while Mr. Perry offered guidance and shared his expertise. It’s incredibly meaningful to see young people learning new skills while being mentored along the way.”

At Hinton, mission teams not only help repair homes and build relationships, but they also engage in programming that fosters a deeper understanding of rural poverty, encouraging them to reflect on what they’ve learned and carry those lessons back to their own communities.

BOOM returns Sept 28–Oct 3, 2025!
Adults 60+ (all welcome!) enjoy a week of service, worship, and fun—repairing homes in NC & GA, daily devotionals, great food, and comfy lodging.

Cost: $425 shared | $450 single | $285 commuter

Register solo or with a group.
Contact Dawn: [email protected] | 828‑389‑8336.

We are honored and excited to share that Hinton Center has been awarded a $500,000 grant from Dogwood Health Trust to support our ongoing efforts in rural community outreach and engagement. This generous grant will significantly enhance our capacity to serve individuals and families through programs that promote safe and healthy homes, leadership development, and holistic well-being across Western North Carolina.

Dogwood Health Trust is a private foundation dedicated to improving the health and well-being of all people in the region, with a strong commitment to equity and lasting impact. We are incredibly grateful for their partnership and shared vision.

We extend our deepest thanks to Dogwood Health Trust for believing in the mission of Hinton Center and investing in the work we’re doing to build stronger, healthier communities.

We’re excited to share that Hinton Center has recently been awarded several generous grants, supporting our work in affordable housing, youth programming, and food security. We are grateful for this investment in our mission.

Hinton is grateful for the recent work done in our Hope Terrace Garden—including cleaning out, planting, tending, mulching, and watering—by David Alsobrook and his team of Master Gardeners and local volunteers. Special thanks to David, Jeff King, Matt and Kate Lunger, Stephen Mesimer, John Knoblich, and Dave Battle for their time and care. Michael Hockaday, who regularly tends the nearby Swing Garden, also assisted with initial clearing. The Master Gardeners of Clay County generously donated perennials and mulch, and we’re deeply thankful for their continued support. We also appreciate Els Vingerling, our long-time Guest Services Associate, who lovingly maintains many of the gardens and plantings across campus.

The Hope Terrace Garden is part of the Joe Ervin Sanctuary Trails & Gardens, a treasured space for both campus guests and community members. Designed to promote physical, mental, and spiritual renewal, these areas include the Vista Trail, Vista Garden, Creekside Trail, Vista Loop, Labyrinth, and Memory Garden with Infinity Path.

Disc Golf Course Renovations

Exciting news for outdoor enthusiasts—Hinton’s disc golf course is being renovated under the leadership of Lane Eaton, a dedicated volunteer from Hiawassee United Methodist Church. Updates include improved course design, refreshed signage, and new features for players of all skill levels. Plans are also in the works for a companion walking trail, further enhancing the outdoor experience on campus.

If you enjoy gardening or outdoor work in a beautiful setting, we’d love your help! To volunteer with Hinton’s trails and gardens, contact [email protected].