Meet The Team
Ashley Benton
Founder
Ashley Danielle Benton is the Founder, Owner, and President of The Green Team Helping Hands, Inc. She is the Mother of three children who are the light of her life and a Grandmother to one, Princess Layla.
Ashley started this nonprofit after her Father, James Benton, was blessed with an organ donation from Chris Henry. Chris was a wide receiver for the Cincinnati Bengals. His Mother, Carolyn Henry Glaspy, donated his organs to save lives, and Ashley's Father was the liver recipient. This story can also be found on YouTube under The Legacy of Chris Henry. Even though Ashley's Father has gone to heaven after having a massive heart attack, she was blessed with 18 more months with him. After his passing, she knew she wanted and needed to pay that blessing forward. Ashley's Father also fed the homeless and cared for people all over the city of Greensboro. What better way to pay it forward and keep his legacy alive than to follow and continue his footsteps. Ashley believes it is so rewarding to help someone without expecting anything in return. Their smiles and gratitude are enough for Ashley and her team. That's where her ultimate glory begins. She started in 2002 with her daughter feeding a few people here and there, and now she is feeding hundreds!
During the week, Ashley donates her time to collecting donations, shopping for her friends in need, separating donated clothing for them, managing her household, and being a Mom. She is also studying to become a Social Worker. Ashley's passion and genuine love for people and for helping our friends in need motivates her every day. During her journey to help others, Ashley has also been blessed with opportunities such as meeting Oprah Winfrey, being a Featured OWNer on her OWN.com, Oprah's website, and being followed on Twitter by Oprah. Oprah sends Ashley messages and has publicly tweeted a "Happy Birthday Ash!" Ashley has also been to the Ellen DeGeneres and Steve Harvey Show after some special friends she has met along the way thought she deserved these tickets for making such an incredible impact in our community. Ashley has been on multiple news networks for her work as a humanitarian. Ashley has been on an amazing journey over the past three years and is looking forward to continued success and helping more people in the years to come.
Amy Overby
Member
Amy Overby has been a loyal contributor to The Green Team Helping Hands Inc. since November 2013. She and Founder Ashley Benton have formed a special bond, and after numerous conversations, meetings of the minds, and idea exchanges, she officially became a member in November 2015. Amy studied Criminal Justice at A&T University. She's a Mom, a loving wife, and also works for our Homeland Security. She looks forward to continued service and writing many grants to continue helping as many of our friends as possible. The Green Team Helping Hands, Inc. is proud to have her on our team.
Latonya Ryals
Member
This is Latonya Ryals. Her and Ashley met in 2002 and has been friends ever since. When Latoya first met Ashley she would go with her sometime to feed the less fortunate. Latoya started working with Ashley because she saw the positivity in what she was doing. It was so gratifying. Latonya loves to help and by making sure that they have something to eat, makes her feel good. Latonya is currently a college student, studying to get her Bachelors Degree in Medical Assisting. She is also a Mom of two young girls, and is the Vice President on the PTA at her children's school. She joined The Green Team Helping Hands, Inc in 2012 and now holds a seat on the Board of Directors in 2015.
Angie “Hootie” Carr
Member
Angie “Hootie” Carr has been a long-time friend of the founder, Ashley, for over 23 years. She has been a bus driver for Guilford Child Development for over 25 years and an assistant coach for an all-women’s football team.
Hootie makes huge contributions to The Green Team Helping Hands by picking up donations and serving meals every fourth Sunday of the month. She has never missed a day of giving back!
Jasmine Benton
Member
Introducing Jasmine Benton, the oldest of Ashley's three children.
Currently, Jasmine is a teacher for a Head Start/Pre-kindergarten program. She teaches NC Pre-K, where she enjoys working with children and their families. Jasmine graduated from North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University(NC A&T SU) with a Bachelor of Science degree in Child Development and Family Studies and is now finishing up her Masters of Arts in Teaching degree from NC A&T SU. When her mother founded The Green Team Helping Hands Inc. she was extremely excited. She joined in 2012 to help support her mother's aspirations to assist individuals with limited resources. Jasmine continues to volunteer and collect donations so that she can give back to the community; so individuals can know that there are people that love them through whatever they may be facing and The Green Team Helping Hands Inc., is here to help them.
Alyssa Miller
Member
Alyssa Miller is seven years old and is in the second grade. She is the youngest member of The Green Team Helping Hands, Inc. Alyssa joined The Green Team Helping Hands, Inc in 2012 and loves every moment of helping others! She has a vibrant and outgoing personality. Alyssa maybe be small but that is not true about her heart. Her heart is as big as the sea! She talks to and plays with the many children that come through our serving line and does not forget to say yes sir and yes ma'am to her elders. Alyssa meets no strangers and is a perfect part of our team. She also assists with making the children that are less fortunate feel like they are not alone and generates smiles from them. Alyssa is a joyful child and is always so polite.
Tammy Tomlin
Member
Tammy Tomlin served our country for 20 years and is now a retired Army Veteran. She now serves her country in a mighty way by dedicating her time to The Green Team Helping Hands, where she serves meals to the homeless. She also helps with encouraging and uplifting our homeless veterans. Tammy has served two years thus far with The Green Team Helping Hands.
Debra Benton
Member
Introducing Debra Benton, mother of Ashley Benton. Debra has watched Ashley since the beginning of her vision when she was only feeding 18 people, at that point she too decided she wanted to be a part of a beautiful mission that Ashley had. She is very loving, thoughtful and unselfish in her attitude of giving back. Debra was the wife of the late James Benton whose legacy The Green Team Helping Hands, Inc. honors. Her approach to the homeless is so unselfish that she knew this was something that she wanted to be a part of and I has watched the homeless light up when The Green Team Helping Hands, Inc. is in there midst. What a wonderful feeling you get when someone says thank you for something that we take for granted, that makes their day. Debra loves being a part of this group. She joined the board of directors in 2015. Debra has retired from The Greensboro News and Record (local newspaper) after 40 years of devotion. She now dedicates most of her time to helping the homeless.
Alicia Miller
Member
Alicia Miller, is 11 years old and in the 6th grade. She has also helps out every week with feeding the homeless. Alicia is a very loving, and very helpful young lady. When Ashley Benton created this team she asked to be apart of it. Alicia is a very sensitive to the needs of others and is super caring. It comes comes natural to her to be of assistance to others. She loves to sing, dance, cheer, and is being raised to always be kind and respect others. Alicia joined The Green Team Helping Hands, Inc in 2012.
Alex Bryant
Member
Alex Bryant is an award-winning project manager. He contributes remotely to the Green Team Helping Hands from Austin, Texas, to assist with the organization's digital and design needs. Alex is a natural giver who always finds ways to give back beyond traditional methods. Alex officially joined the team in 2013.
Kecia McAuley
Member
Kecia McAuley has served with The Green Team Helping Hands for several years. She makes it her mission to always give her time to passing out meals on Sundays. She also donates drinks and bottled water to the dinners for our friends in need. She is vivacious, caring, works hard, and has a loving spirit.