Open Hearts Place doing remarkable work

TO THE EDITOR:

Recently I read a brochure with exciting news about Open Hearts Place, based in Morganton’s St. Matthews United Methodist Church, a nonprofit that continues to amaze me.

I’ve observed first-hand the honesty, integrity, enthusiasm and very hard work of both OHP Executive Director, Madelyn Russ, and the volunteers.

I’ve also met paid employees of Open Hearts Bakery working in the kitchen and bought their delicious baked goods.

I’ve seen the property the church has donated and the houses OHP has built in Morganton, low-rent starter homes for the working poor.

And I’ve heard from those who’ve profited from the chance to rent these homes while learning ways to get out of that cycle of endless emergencies that poverty can exacerbate.

OHP also impresses me with the way it works with and donates to other local charities.

And it keeps growing.

On Tuesday, May 13, Open Hearts Place will host an event from 5:30-7 p.m. in Hildebran to celebrate the groundbreaking of their newest community and to offer information about the first of several workforce housing communities that OHP and its partners are planning in Burke County.

This event will give people a chance to walk the property and see the site plans that include single-family, energy-efficient, attainable homes for sale, as well as rental homes for families in the OHP program, and families displaced by Hurricane Helene.

To learn more about the variety of ways to help OHP help our community, park in the parking lot across from 112 10th St NE in Hildebran and cross the street. You might be amazed yourself.

MAGGIE McKINNEY

MORGANTON