One thing I quickly learned about living out here on Smith Mountain Lake is that volunteer opportunities abound. Whether at the Booker T. Washington National Monument or at the American Cancer Society Discovery Shop, volunteers are warmly welcomed.

Soon after my first visit with the Newcomers group out here, I found a volunteer gig that is just up my alley: I am now working with the board of the Smith Mountain Lake Charity Home Tour as their PR person.

Soon after my first visit with the Newcomers group out here, I found a volunteer gig that is just up my alley: I am now working with the board of the Smith Mountain Lake Charity Home Tour as their PR person.

The Home Tour is a terrific annual event out here at the lake. It’s been going on for 28 years, and it allows people to check out a number of homes (by land or by boat, so cool) and help out local charities along the way.

Each of the homes — last year, eight residences were on the tour — pairs up with a particular charity. The charities line up sponsors for “their” homes and volunteers to help show the home. In return, they receive 100% of their sponsors’ donations, as well as a share of the visitors’ ticket sales. It is an impressive operation, and I have been spending a bit of time trying to come up to speed.

The board is a great group of enthusiastic and engaged lake residents, and I’m honored to be working with them. You can expect to hear more about the tour as the year goes on!