Joan Billheimer’s love of volunteering began 12 years ago. A friend asked if she would help with Relay for Life. Little did Billheimer know that the offer would not only start a legacy of helping others, but the cause behind the relay would impact her very own life.
“I chaired it for three years and then took two years off. During that time, I was diagnosed with cancer,” Billheimer said. While many would see the disease as an obstacle, Billheimer fought it and recuperated. Shortly after, she got right back into volunteering.
Billheimer worked with several different service projects in the community including Relay for Life and the International Festival. But one day while watching the show “60 Minutes,” she developed an idea that would become a service project of her own.
The story was about children in
After watching the piece, Billheimer thought the same approach could potentially be used here in the
“She saw the story on “60 Minutes,"” said friend Kim Turbeville. "And where a lot of people would say wow, that would be nice to have in
Billheimer went to several area companies including First Reliance Bank, ESAB and Honda, and raised several thousand dollars to purchase enough violins for an entire class. The third grade of Wallace Gregg Elementary were the lucky recipients of the violins. They are now slowly learning to play the instruments, and take great pride in knowing that the violins are their very own.
Many of the children might not have otherwise been able to play or purchase an instrument. Billheimer thinks the violins will have more than just a musical effect on the children, but will also help to improve arts in the schools and even possibly the children’s test scores.
While many others might have faltered in the face of adversity, Joan Billheimer persevered and continued with her mission to help others.
“If everybody gave a little bit of themselves, I think we would be a fantastic community,” Billheimer said. Her attitude has not only inspired others, but formed the framework of a lasting legacy for the next generation in the
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