The Americans Helping Americans® Hero of the Month grant award program recognizes individuals who have made significant contributions to their communities through commendable deeds, heroic acts, volunteering, and efforts to improve the lives of others. For November, our Hero of the Month is Jim Wilson of Jefferson City, Tennessee.

Jim founded our partner organization, Appalachian Ministries of the Smokies (AMOS)—formerly Appalachian Outreach—and continues to serve as a volunteer more than 40 years later.

“Jim has had a servant’s heart for his whole life,” says Karrie Foust, AMOS ministry center coordinator and the one who nominated him for this honor.

Extraordinary Acts of Service

Jim’s recognition is not only for his decades of volunteer work but also for his efforts this fall to assist families in small North Carolina communities devastated by flooding after Hurricane Helene.

Although retired from Carson-Newman University and AMOS, Jim, along with his friend Dr. Don Garner (also retired from Carson-Newman), stepped up to support relief efforts in North Carolina.

Highlights of Jim’s contributions include:

• Delivering a box truck filled with sleeping bags donated by Americans Helping Americans® and other critical supplies to North Carolina communities.
• Traveling nearly 100 miles to deliver aid to towns such as Swannanoa, Hot Springs, and Black Mountain, North Carolina.
• Cleaning up debris in Newport, Tennessee, alongside AMOS home repair coordinator Charles Wilt, following local flooding.

A Personal Connection to the Cause

Jim’s connection to the affected areas runs deep. His family home on the Swannanoa River, which he helped build with his father, was tragically “completely washed away” during the flooding.

Karrie shared, “Jim and Don were willing to take our box truck filled with sleeping bags and a few other items. They spent a weekend delivering supplies and ensuring families received the help they needed.”

Words from the Hero

Jim expressed gratitude for the opportunity to serve and reflected on the resilience of volunteers:

“So many of you have made your stand to volunteer and stand firm with our recovery from Hurricane Helene in eastern Tennessee and western North Carolina. I have had the privilege to work alongside many of you in the past three weeks. I count it as an honor to serve with each of you.”

He also shared a poignant sentiment, quoting a Christian saint’s prayer:

“Let my heart be broken, with the things that break the heart of God!”

Jim recalled the words of a young volunteer from years ago who summed up the spirit of giving perfectly:

“Yes, I’m tired, but it’s that good kind of tired when you know you have done something really good, in helping people in need.”