Highland County Residents Come Together To Help A Local Firefighter

Monterey, VA – One of the hallmarks of our rural communities is the way folks step up to help those in need. The volunteer fire departments in Monterey, McDowell and Bolar are coming together to help Jamie and Erin Will, recent victims of a fire at their home on Jack Mountain. Jamie is a member of the Monterey volunteer fire department. Erin is an Americorps Vista volunteer working at the Highland Center in Monterey.

All the residents of the home including the pets escaped unharmed, but nearly all their possessions were destroyed or badly damaged. The young couple married just last year, are living with relatives while they get their lives back together. Elmer Waybright, Monterey’s fire chief, was looking for ways to help Jamie and Erin when Jack Flynn of Mill Alley Art and Frame in Monterey generously donated works of art from his shop for a raffle. The works are seven limited edition prints of paintings originally done by James Boice Hevener and known as the Highland Series. The original paintings were done between 1985 and 2002.

These large prints of scenes in Highland county are framed and ready to be hung. The total value of the 7 prints is nearly $2000. During maple festival the prints will be on display at the Monterey fire house. Tickets can be purchased at the firehouse or from any of Highland county’s volunteer fire fighters. Seven winners will be drawn sometime later this year. All proceeds from the raffle will go to Jamie and Erin Will.