A foster placement can happen with one phone call, sometimes in the middle of the night, and the child showing up may have nothing but the clothes they are wearing. That reality is why we chose to honor Tara Knox and Patchworks as our Hometown Hero. Tara shares how Patchworks Foster Care Ministry started in Henderson County after she and her husband spent years fostering, and how it grew into a community lifeline for families who need essentials immediately.
We talk through what Patchworks actually does, not in vague feel-good terms, but in the day-to-day details that matter: diapers, wipes, beds, cribs, car seats, shoes, and clothing that is new or next-to-new because every child deserves dignity. Tara explains how they coordinate donations, how porch drop-off and pickup keeps help simple, and how referrals flow through Henderson County DSS, school social workers, and local first responders. The scale is stunning: more than 5,800 families helped in Henderson County.
Alongside the hero spotlight, we also bring listeners up to speed on the Hendersonville real estate market. National headlines can feel loud, but local data shows homes still selling, a calmer pace with longer days on market, and very few distressed properties thanks to homeowner equity. We also share how to find our latest listings and an upcoming open house for anyone planning a move in Western North Carolina or the Upstate of South Carolina.
If this story hits you, do something with it: listen, share it with a friend, and subscribe so you never miss a Hometown Hero. After you listen, leave a review and tell us, what item would you donate first to help a foster child feel at home?
