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His mother, Angie, recognized the signs of depression and quickly sought help for her child, enlisting the aid of a therapist to talk him through his concerns. School was nearing an end for the year, and her greatest worry was that her son would have endless days at home to brood on his problems. She knew the busier he could stay during the summer, the less time he would have to worry.
The answer to her dilemma came by accident. Leaving the health department in Sylva one day, Angie Conner found a flyer soliciting volunteers for the Community Table. At home, she asked her son if he would like to volunteer at the soup kitchen. He agreed, and a very busy summer ensued.
Charlie, who soon became a valuable fixture at the Community Table, starting out by helping serve meals. And it wasn't long before he became an expert at supervising the drink counter.
Years spent helping his father around their farm had taught Charlie good mechanical skills and a healthy work ethic. Soon he was doing odd jobs, sorting food donations, stocking shelves, and anything else anyone could think of for him to do.
During the Community Table's third anniversary jubilee, Charlie dressed as the Cat in the Hat, sweltering in the heavy costume, to the delight of the children who came to the festival. Another time he helped cover shelving for the Thrifty Table, the Community Table's new thrift store.
This was the summer young Charlie learned two of life's most valuable lessons: compassion for others and the value of volunteering.
"I thought about being hungry," Charlie said. "I knew there were people who are hungry and who need help and food."
He also learned that no matter how low he is feeling, there are others far worse off, and even though he is still technically a child, there are many ways he can make a positive difference in other people's lives.
Once his focus shifted from his own depression to others, a magical thing happened his depression faded away. His therapist was astounded at the difference in Charlie by the end of summer. With his bout of depression behind him, his mother reports that his grades in school have rebounded.
Today, Charlie looks to the future and thinks he may be a truck driver so he can see different places or maybe a doctor so he can bring babies into the world.
But for now he just enjoys going to school, playing with his younger brother, Ben, and riding his two horses, Freckles and Bud, on the mountain trails behind his house.
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At age 12, Charlie Conner has become the drink station expert at Jackson County's Community Table, a local effort to feed the hungry.