By BETH CALLAHAN
Common ground may not always be easy to find, but it emerges when we intentionally set out to serve others. Hinds’ Feet Farm has been doing just that for 25 years, providing services and support to individuals with traumatic and other acquired brain injuries. This dream began after Phillip Van Every Foil, the son of Puddin’ and Martin Foil, was injured at the age of 16. Like so many other families, the Foils found themselves on an entirely new and uncharted path.
As we recognize March as Brain Injury Awareness Month, we want to share how this dream has grown and how our community continues to make a difference in the lives of others.
When Gregory Stump, Fine Arts Department Chair at Christ the King Catholic High School (CTK), reached out to me, Beth Callahan, Executive Director at Hinds’ Feet Farm, to discuss CTKCHS students volunteering during their Community Days of Service, I was thrilled. Our nonprofit has a rich history of welcoming volunteers of all ages, and I eagerly agreed to meet.
As Mr. Stump outlined the school’s mission to serve, I began envisioning what their support might look like. He asked practical questions—how many students we could accommodate, what grades would be involved, how long they’d stay, and so on. I imagined a small group helping with tasks like cleaning fences or tidying up a natural area. When he said, “200 students for two days,” I was stunned. Suddenly, I saw an opportunity to tackle major projects that had long been on our wish list.
We discussed ambitious goals for their visit, including significant upgrades to our Activity Barn, improvements to horse trails, fence cleaning, and updates to past projects. By January, while coordination was well underway, I still had moments of doubt about managing such a large undertaking. However, when people with shared purpose come together, great things often happen.
On January 29th and 30th, buses rolled in at 8:30 a.m., and the CTKCHS Community Day of Service began in earnest. The students arrived prepared and ready to work, and Hinds’ Feet Farm was equally ready to put their energy and enthusiasm to good use. Together, we accomplished tasks that would have taken our team countless hours to complete on our own.
As we commemorate March as Brain Injury Awareness Month and celebrate 25 years of service, we reflect on the incredible gift of these students’ time and dedication. We hope their experience at Hinds’ Feet Farm will leave a lasting impression, fostering a deeper understanding of safety and prevention and perhaps inspiring them to pursue careers where they might encounter individuals or families affected by brain injuries.
“It takes a village”—a community of stewards and advocates for those in need. At Hinds’ Feet Farm, we are forever grateful to these students and the many volunteers who have supported us over the years. The circle of life and giving continues, even as brain injuries remain a significant challenge. Annually, an estimated 70,000 people in North Carolina sustain a new brain injury, adding to the over 200,000 individuals living with its effects.
Greg Stump and his daughter, who volunteered with us years ago, exemplify this ongoing legacy of service. Their connection underscores the enduring impact of community support.
To learn more about Hinds’ Feet Farm and our work with individuals living with brain injuries, please visit www.hindsfeetfarm.org.
