Volunteer's work has grown

Editor’s note: The following is one in a series profiling local volunteers.

STAFF WRITER

[email protected]

Some people are simply born to help others.

For Casey Peacock, her volunteer work started 10 years ago when she helped with the local Ag Expo, but her volunteer work has grown to include United Way, Relay for Life and the local Portales and Clovis food banks.

“The Ag Expo was where my heart and my passion were, because I grew up on a beef farm west of Carrizozo,” Peacock said. “I was asked to help there, and everything grew from there. I’m the chairman of the 25th anniversary, but previously, I helped with set up to tear down and helping vendors to get ready. Over the years, I’ve helped out with the food drives, attended board meetings and helped out where I could.”

Peacock moved to Roosevelt County back in 1994. Currently an employee at Rooney Moon Broadcasting, her chances to help out the community started small and continued to grow.

“Over the years, I’ve volunteered in the community. As my work career has grown as a community relations coordinator. It’s just snowballed with volunteer work as well,” she said. “I was asked by Nancy Taylor — she was the long-time executive director of the food bank — to join. It just snowballed from there. I understand what it’s like to fall on hard times. I just wanted to be there to help others going through the same thing.”

Peacock’s favorite volunteer memory took place a few years ago during a winter food drive.

“We used to do this in November. We had a mailing ad and used the radio for this to get people to donate,” Peacock said. “People would leave food out by their home next to the mailboxes. The lower income places gave so generously. The holidays are definitely a hard time, so it was nice to see the generosity.”

Erin Burch, the director of United Way of Eastern New Mexico, described Peacock as everybody’s “Girl Friday,” because it doesn’t matter what she helps with, she does it to the best of her ability.

“Casey goes above and beyond when she gets involved with anything,” Burch said. “She jumps in with both feet and isn’t afraid to lift, carry and do the dirty work with set ups and tear downs. I’ve seen her be such an active person with all her work. I see great community ethics with her. At United Way, she is always asking ‘What do you need?’ or ‘What can I do?’ I appreciate everything she does, and I’m glad she’s on my board.”