About Us

Hearten is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization dedicated to person-to-person volunteering. Two RJ Reynolds High School students, Matt Valaoras and Ava Ginn, serve as Presidents. Caroline Bumgarner is Communications Director and Will Morrow is Volunteer Coordinator.

The organization is driven by high school students who serve the community in meaningful ways.

Service work is expected of students, but many of the opportunities to volunteer are strictly behind-the-scenes, with little chance for the students to observe their impact. Hearten carefully selects projects to ensure the volunteer and the recipient make a connection. That way, we all win; our volunteers gain as much as those we serve.