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12 THE BUZZ AROUND WAYNE COUNTY APRIL 2026 Communities Supporting Schools of Wayne County is sending a HUGE thank you to all of our amazing volunteers! CSS of Wayne could not pro- vide the programming that is offered to our youth without the support of over two hundred volunteers. These volunteers have diverse back- grounds and unique experiences that help to build stronger communities. They lend their time and talents to the youth that we serve. Our volunteers serve as reading buddies, work as mentors, and offer their time as community am- bassadors in the Restorative Justice Program. Volunteers come from local businesses, the faith- based community, and SJAFB. Many of our volun- teers are educators and retirees in the community who want to continue to "give back." Last year, over 200 volunteers provided 9,260 hours of service in our programs. Volunteers are currently valued at an estimate of $34 an hour. The total donated value of CSS volunteers was $314,840! This community is truly committed to our youth! There is still time to be a sponsor, to donate to our silent auction, or to purchase a ticket! Communities Supporting Schools of Wayne County is dedicated to helping our youth achieve success. CSS invites you to our annual "Have A Heart for Kids" event on Thursday, May 7 from 6:00–9:00 PM at The Goldsboro Event Center in Goldsboro. Tickets will be $100 per couple, which includes the opportunity to attend the event and participate in both the silent and live auction and the reverse raffle. National Volunteer Week Apri; 19-25, 2026 Selena J. Bennett Executive Director CSS of Wayne Pictured is Dreamweaver's Mindful Monday Meditation group attending John Overman's photographic exhibit at ACWC. It included his beautiful photos of plants, flowers, insects, and animals taken on Wayne County land within a mile of his home. This was the first visit as a group to an event, other that their usual gathering Monday's from 5:30–7:00pm at Plum Tree Gardens, located in Downtown Goldsboro Historic District. The gatherings are open and free to the public. Dona- tions help support special projects for American Indian non-profit,Grandpa's Children, Inc. Weekly gatherings, led by Dreamweaver's con- temporary approach to the practice, help develop "Loving Kindness," reduced stress, and an in- creased joy for life. During this time of fragile connections, it is important to reinforce commu nity relationships with a loving, kind, diverse group. You may reach Dreamweaver at email: grandpachildren@gmail.com or reikiartmaster@gmail.com for more information. Mindful Monday Meditation Literacy Connections is seeking caring volunteers to help adults in our community build essential literacy skills. One of the most impactful ways to serve is by becoming a one-on-one tutor. No prior teaching experience is required. We provide training, materials, and ongoing support. Tutors meet with their student for just two hours a week at a convenient time and work together toward personal learning goals. Prefer something more short-term? Join us for our Second Book Sale of the Year, April 7–11 in the Terrace Room at 106 S. Center Street. Volunteers are needed to help set up, organize books, assist customers, and support this important fundraiser to benefit literacy programs in Wayne County. Sale hours include a Members Preview on April 7 (4–7 PM), public sale days April 8–10 (9AM–5:30 PM), and a Bag Sale on April 11 (1–5 PM). You can also support our mission by donating gently used books or becoming a Friend of Literacy. To learn more or sign up to volunteer, visit: www.literacyconnectionsofwaynecounty.org/ volunteers TOGETHER WE ARE GROWING A LITERACY RICH COMMUNITY Make a Difference: Volunteer as a Tutor at OUr Community Book Sale The Waterbound Dulcimer will be sponsoring a FREE Concert on April 11, 2026 at 5pm at St Mary School in Goldsboro NC. Waterbound Dulcimers came into being in 2000. They had their first concert at Caswell Center in Kinston, and needed a name for the group. Since they are all from eastern NC and they had all been through hurricane Floyd and Eastern NC was flooded by Floyd, they decided a good name for the group would be Waterbound Dulcimers. As it turns out there is an old fiddle tune called Waterbound. So how appropriate was this name for the group! Over the years the group has grown from a small group to about 20 members. We meet on the second Monday of each month at Madison Ave. Baptist Church. Workshops were begun to help get the word out and help people learn about the mountain dulcimer and how to play it.They have been doing these workshops since 2001 and every year since except during Covid. They have played for senior groups, churches, nursing homes, and a few festivals. They love getting people familiar with the instru- ment and helping them learn how to play. Also on April 11,the group will be having a Dul- cimer workshop also at St Mary School in Golds- boro. There will be a beginner class, novice and advanced classes. The instructors will be giving the concert at the end of the workshop at 5. Waterbound Dulcimer FREE Concert April 11 at 5pm