Retired teachers continue giving back to their communities

Carcille C. Burchette is a retired teacher, and, like many retired teachers, leads a very active life, much of which involves volunteer activities in her community.
In addition to being a member of the Corbin Independent School District Board of Education, she is also secretary to the Whitley Area Retired Teachers Association, Vice President of Corbin Garden Club, First Vice President of the Garden Club of Kentucky, NGC Healing Gardens Chair, Baptist Health Foundation-Corbin member, active member of King’s Daughters Sunday school class at Central Baptist Church, and most importantly, Grandmother to Gatlin Jude Burchette, her 17 month old grandson.
Much like Carcille, all across Kentucky, retired teachers continue to give back to their communities. After long and dedicated careers in the classrooms of Kentucky, most teachers don’t retire to go home and sit down to enjoy the fruits of their labor.
Most, like Carcille, maintain a very active life style, serving on various boards and committees, babysitting grandchildren, serving in their churches, volunteering in hospitals and nursing homes, caring for elderly parents, some even starting their own businesses to name but a few.
To make a greater impact, many of them join together with other retired teachers in a local association.
In Whitley County that organization is known as the Whitley Area Retired Teachers Association (WARTA).
In the fall, they conduct a school supply drive with proceeds going to the elementary school Family Resource Centers.
In the Winter they participate in the Feed KY Food Drive with proceeds going to the homeless shelters in Williamsburg and Corbin.
In the spring WARTA has chosen to support the Independence House, a local shelter for women. One of their great needs is supplies for newborn babies.
In their most recent drive, retired teachers contributed more than $500 in diapers, wipes, ointments, etc. or money to purchase those items. Ronnie Partin, WARTA president, said “Retired teachers in Whitley County have been especially generous this year, and I am proud of the efforts they have made in support of the needs in their communities. Not only have they dedicated themselves to a lifetime of public service, they continue to give back to the needy in our society. We invite and encourage all retired teachers in our area to get involved in our activities.”