The Craddock Center’s new executive director, Kirk Cameron, did not expect he would soon be leading the Cherry Log nonprofit after becoming involved as a board member last year.
Cameron was slated to become the Craddock board’s president in 2021, but an unexpected vacancy in the center’s directorial position changed those plans, he said.
“I was retired and doing volunteer work. This role was not on my radar,” Cameron said. “Our (previous) executive director (Pam Colvin) had to resign and relocate due to some family issues. As the recruitment process was proceeding, I was feeling these nudges to put my hat in the ring and apply for the position.”
Cameron arrives after years working with nonprofits through his former employment at McKesson Medical-Surgical, a Fortune 500 medical supply company. Before moving to Cherry Log, he represented for the company’s charitable foundation.
“I worked with nonprofits all over the Southeast in terms of getting money to them and (reviewing) grant applications,” Cameron said. “I lived in Atlanta for about 34 years and was over the grants committee of the church I went to, and I’ve done a lot of volunteer work helping nonprofits write grants and things of that nature. I think my leadership and business experience has helped prepare me for this. I’ve always liked volunteering and working with nonprofits. I felt that experience (would help me) meet the needs the center has right now.”
The Craddock Center, which marks its 20th anniversary this year, was founded by Dr. Fred and Nettie Craddock. The founding pastor of Cherry Log Christian Church, Dr. Craddock envisioned the nonprofit as a means of providing educational and cultural programs for children, families and communities in southern Appalachia.
The Cherry Log-based center provides early childhood literacy programs to a nine-county region that spans north Georgia, western North Carolina and eastern Tennessee. It serves pre-K classes at multiple Gilmer County schools, Cameron noted.
Though some programs, like in-school literacy building activities, continue to be on hold due to the pandemic, the center is still finding ways to reach out and make good on its vision statements, “Enriching lives through service,” and “Happy and hope. We Deliver.”
In November, the center made its annual delivery of books and handmade knitted hats for children in the nine-county service area. In December, the organization’s resident Santa (Jack Senterfitt) found a way to do his annual pre-Christmas visits via Zoom meetings with local elementary school classes.
“Our next (program) will happen in March when we celebrate Read Across America Day and Dr. Seuss’ birthday. We will provide all the children a brand-new Dr. Seuss book,” Cameron said.
Books will also be provided to pre-K classes as part of a new program, Summer Sendoff, starting this May.
“We’ll be giving each child a new book and providing them with (materials) to make a hand puppet out of a paper bag,” Cameron said.
It’s hoped that the Craddock Center Children’s Enrichment Team will be able to again visit schools in person during the fall semester, Cameron noted.
New ways of reaching out
Two newer Craddock Center programs that provide outreach to families and senior citizens were either started or expanded in 2020.
With the Living Room program, the center accepts, stores and distributes good-condition furniture and household items that go to families in crisis situations. Those situations include fire, eviction, mold infestation or family violence, Cameron noted.
“People can call us and say, ‘Do you have a dresser or a couch,’” he said. “This (program) grew significantly during 2019-2020. Our donations grew, and so did the numbers of families and individuals who need basic items.”
Craddock Cares is the latest outreach program sponsored by the center. It was started last year to support women, children and senior citizens in emergency situations or significant crisis events, Cameron said.
Craddock Cares kits are provided to local police departments and some other local nonprofits. Each kit includes a tote bag, a blanket, bottled water, a stuffed animal, a toothbrush and toothpaste, hand towels and, in winter months, a hat and gloves. Cameron said the items are packaged in waterproof bags that can be easily carried by law enforcement when transporting and caring for children or adults in transition.
The Craddock Center’s third director in the past three years, Cameron said he hopes to be “a constant” and serve in that capacity for years to come.
“We’re definitely focusing on sustaining and strengthening the Craddock Center and planning for the future. We are definitely not closed and we want to thank our donors for keeping us open and supporting us,” said Cameron, who, by now, is used to being asked about the name he shares with the Growing Pains star, now a faith-based movie actor.
“We actually have the same middle name, too,” he said. “I don’t (get asked about it) as much as I used to. Back when that show was popular, I had to get an unlisted phone number because I was getting calls from all over the country.”