Kim Brown: The Name, the Face of Wayne County Cares

Kim Brown is the name, and hers is the face, behind what has become a fast-growing and truly helpful Facebook group called Wayne County Cares. The group is currently overseeing several different programs: The Store in Waynesboro, Wayne County Prom Closet, Wayne County Virtual Bookstore, Pet Pantry, Crafty Kids, and more. Each program is involved in some way with helping Wayne County kids, adults, and/or animals. Here’s the kicker – Kim, the lady behind all the magic, isn’t even from Wayne County, she’s originally from Florida. She moved to Wayne County from Savannah, Tennessee, in 2020 to be near some family and friends.

Shortly after moving into her rental home in Waynesboro, a tornado blew through the northeastern end of Wayne County, causing property damage to the home Kim and her daughters are still renting. “We were okay, the storm didn’t injure us, but there were large tree limbs in my yard and on my house,” said Kim. “We were able to get out of the house, but what really floored me were the people standing in our yard just waiting to help. We didn’t even have to ask! People were asking us what we needed and what they could do. That is pretty awesome, especially for a town you’ve just recently moved to!”

Kim said Wayne Countians’ response to that tornado is what first inspired her to do something to help others here. And what’s the best way to get the word out? Why, social media, of course! Not only is it an effective way to get help for those who need it; it’s also something that Kim, who is disabled, is able to do from her home.

After coming up with the idea for the Wayne County Cares Facebook group, the first project that came from Kim’s idea for the group was The Store. Through donations of items coordinated through Facebook, Kim has been able to start a store of sorts, where anyone in need can get what they need free of charge. Kim says it has turned into somewhat of a swap meet, with people donating items they have but don’t need, and taking items they need but don’t have. These “things” run the gamut of almost anything you can think of – food, clothing, household items, electronics, children’s toys – just whatever you might have or might need.

A program hosted by Wayne County Cares a couple months ago was very successful this year and hopes to be even more successful next year when people hear more about it. The Wayne County Prom Closet accepted donations of new and gently used prom dresses, shoes, jewelry, and anything else prom-related. This is such a blessing for deserving Wayne County kids who just want to be able to dress up nice for prom like all their friends.

Another current program managed by Wayne County Cares is Adopt-a-Student. Those who wish to participate may choose an anonymous student in Wayne County to purchase for. You may buy them school supplies, clothes, or whatever they would like to have. It works somewhat like the popular Angel Tree program, with donors being given information on a student such as their age, clothing size, favorite color, etc.

The only programs sponsored by Wayne County Cares that ask for money are Thanksgiving, Christmas, and Easter food baskets. Kim gets an estimated dollar amount from John Daniel at Waynesboro Piggly Wiggly and accepts monetary donations to put together food baskets for needy families on holidays. She hopes this program grows as well when more people become aware it exists.

Other programs currently underway for Wayne County Cares are a free bookstore where anyone can donate and/or take books home; Pet Pantry, a program that gives out free pet supplies; and Crafty Kids, a free crafts program for kids at the libraries in Waynesboro and Collinwood.

Kim and her daughter, Alexis Mayfield, are currently the program managers for Wayne County Cares with the exception of Pet Pantry, which is managed by Ashley Kimes.

“We don’t expect everyone to help with everything, but everyone to help where they can and where they feel led,” said Kim. “If everyone helps out where they feel the need to, it adds up to huge things for our community!”

Hats off to this caring lady and her daughters for filling a gap in our community when she absolutely didn’t have to. They do this simply because they see the need and want to help be part of the solution.

Check out Wayne County Cares on Facebook for more information on all the programs they currently offer. Below is a current calendar of events:

June: Adopt-a-Student event for the community, Blanket Shopping with Generations of Joy, Community Yard Sale/Vendor Event.

July: School Supply Project benefiting the Angel Tree Program, Community Yard Sale/Vendor Event.

August: National Night Out free community event, Adopt-a-Teacher Event for Wayne County teachers and school staff, Community Yard Sale/Vendor Event.

September: Food/Treat Drive benefiting Country Road Animal Rescue, Blanket Shopping with Generations of Joy, Community Yard Sale/Vendor Event.

October: Two Halloween events, Community Yard Sale/Vendor Event.

November: Thanksgiving Meals for the Community

December: Blanket Shopping with Generations of Joy, Christmas Dinners for the Community, Christmas Event for Generations of Joy.

Ongoing: Waynesboro Senior Center bingo callers and bingo prizes, pending event for Waynesboro Senior Center, Wayne County Birthday Club, Wayne County Hygiene Helpers, putting up resources available to the community, helping distribute food to blessing boxes as we have the ability, other pending events that will be added as they are confirmed.