Helios Warriors Wins a Free Room Make Over

 
Winner: Gayle Sovinee (Left) with nominator Sally Ray

“The Gift” idea all began just 8 weeks ago, and it has grown into a gift that will give back to more people than was initially even imagined.  It began when two friends met for dinner…and clinked their glasses in a toast of gratitude to be living here in Western North Carolina… where helping others is vital in and to our communities.

That toast led to brainstorming how they could use their talents to give back to their community.  Their first thought was to ask a particular third friend to join their ranks, which she happily did.  That night an idea took shape: a kind of WNC “extreme room makeover project.”  They would need the help of several sponsors, but all 3 believed they would find them… and they did.

The Gift: A Free Room Makeover

Gifted to Whom: Someone who gives of herself/himself to others in need

The Concept: Invite the community to share the spirit of giving by nominating someone who has a big heart and gives to others

The How: Get the word out to the public, inviting & encouraging nominations.  Select a winner.   Honor that person by publishing  his/her story and by turning a room in their home into a  space they’ve been dreaming of.

The Twist: READ ON TO LEARN HOW A GIFT TO ONE HAS BECOME A GIFT TO MANY!

THE STORY SO FAR:

In last month’s issue (November, 2011), WNC Woman magazine published a special invitation.  This invite was extended to all people in Buncombe and Henderson Counties, and it encouraged folks to nominate someone to win a Free Room Makeover.  People were asked to write from their hearts about a person who positively touches the lives of others… someone they admire and respect.

The responses were wonderful!  The e-mails were heartwarming and people made it very clear how special the people that they nominated truly are.  Although the judges could select only one person to win the Room Makeover, they wished they could recognize everyone who participated in this contest, and they desired to share every nominee’s inspirational story with many more people.

They got their wish!  The runners-up will be recognized, and their stories will be shared!  Having gained their permission, WNC Woman magazine is honored to be featuring (in upcoming issues) interviews with many of the nominees.  You’ll get to read the letters submitted by their nominators, too!

THE WINNER…AND THE TWIST:

Now, the WINNER of the ROOM MAKEOVER is (drum roll, please)  GAYLE SOVINEE!

Here is the winning nomination submitted by Sally W. Ray:

I would like to nominate Gayle Sovinee, founder of “Helios Warriors” to receive the gift of the room makeover. As the interior designer for the Charles George VA Medical Center, I have the utmost respect for Ms. Sovinee; she has worked hard the past 6 years to develop a nonprofit organization that offers complementary/ alternative therapies, by licensed/insured professionals, to Veterans.

These services and therapies include chiropractic, acupuncture, massage, cranial sacral, nutritional and personal fitness, and energy work.  Helios Warriors assists Veterans who need help healing from chronic physical and emotional pain, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), military sexual trauma (MST), and exposure to toxic poisoning. The mission of Helios Warriors is “Helping Veterans Heal”.

Gayle has a passion for the men and women who have served our Country and she wants to help relieve the pain in their lives. She is a very noble person and deserves this nomination.  “Helios Warriors” will be opening a new location soon so our Veterans can be served in one location.  This room makeover would be a wonderful gift to offer Gayle.

The article in WNC Woman magazine “Lighting the Candle for Change” can best describe Gayle’s finesse and compassion for our Nation’s Veterans.   (www.wncwoman.com/november10/page32.html)

Helios Warriors Web Site:
www.helioswarriors.org/

Interior Designer
Charles George VA Medical Center”

THE TWIST:

Gayle Sovinee has put a twist on this Room Makeover Gift that was never expected.  She has payed forward a pay-it-forward gift!  When called (on November 11th, coincidentally Veterans’ Day!) with the news that she had won, Gayle responded, “Thank you!  My home needs this!  But Helios Warriors is moving to a new location, and I wonder if I could please gift my Room Makeover to that space?  It’s so important that the Veterans be treated in an inviting, calming, and comfortable atmosphere… it help’s with the healing process.  Could you please do that?”

So, the gift of  3 women and 12 sponsors that was meant to create a wonderful space for one deserving person will now be creating a wonderful space for many deserving people!

Stay tuned…the January issue of WNC Woman Magazine will continue to follow the progress of this gift that keeps on growing… .

Lyna Farkas, owner of In the Spirit of Décor, Barb Burless, owner of Space Spiffing Decorating, and Sandi Tomlin-Sutker, editor/publisher of WNC Woman magazine are grateful for this opportunity to combine their talents and energy with the generous donations of the sponsors to create a space which will enhance the healing process for the Veterans who are treated at “Helios Warriors”.