by Kara Dudley, Chatham County Public Information Officer

On October 18, 2022, Chatham County government leaders gathered for a day of service and team-building activities at Chatham Trades in Siler City. Chatham Trades is Chatham County’s only community rehabilitation program that provides employment and training for adults with disabilities.

The managers and department heads were divided into two groups. One group packed boxes of shelf-stable foods to help local families, and the other group stained a fence outside the Chatham Trades facility which houses the Salvation Army and West Chatham Food Pantry.

Chatham Trades Executive Director Shawn Poe said the team was able to assemble 318 food boxes which will benefit CORA’s Mobile Market and be distributed at their bi-monthly markets in Siler City and Pittsboro.

“Chatham Trades is honored to have had the Chatham County leadership team participate with us for their service project,” said Poe. “This collaboration afforded the team the opportunity to learn more about us and the impact we have on the people we serve and their families by providing a safe, meaningful place to go each day to learn new skills, interact with their peers and to work.”

Chatham County Manager Dan LaMontagne said it was a great opportunity to partner with Chatham Trades. “This was such a meaningful experience for our department leaders to come together and give back to the community that we serve, while also building stronger relationships with each other,” said County Manager Dan LaMontagne.

Chatham Trades is a private non-profit and benefits greatly from any donations (products or monetary) from the community. More information about Chatham Trades can be found online at https://chathamtrades.org. Community members can call 919-663-3481, ext. 103 to inquire about volunteer and donation opportunities.