Nila Bland

For 40 years, Nila Bland has volunteered to make her community in Pendleton County, West Virginia a more pleasant place to live.  Growing up in Franklin, after she got married Nila moved to Brandywine, home of South Fork Volunteer Fire Department. Nila’s volunteer activities stretch far beyond the fire department though, having served on the Treasure Mountain Festival Association for over 20 years, even serving as its president at one point, volunteering for her church, and for the extension homemakers.

Volunteerism runs in Nila’s family, as she originally joined the fire department 25 years ago when her son joined as a junior member, and both are still active.  Volunteering is important to her as both people and organizations can greatly benefit from volunteers.  A self-described people person, Nila has enjoyed the variety of new people she has met in her 40 years of volunteer service.

While fortunate enough to have broadband internet at her house, Nila knows that few people in her area have this resource and sees the new computer lab as a great way to allow people to have access to the internet, stating, “There’s so much out there that you can find.”  Summing up her years of volunteer service, Nila said, “It’s been very enjoyable.”