A concert organized by a group of civic clubs working together raised more than $7,500 for local nonprofits dedicated to the welfare of children.
The Kiwanis Club of Tellico Village, Tellico Village Lions Club and Tellico Lake Rotary Club united to produce “A Time to Serve Together” concert in October at the Community Church at Tellico Village.
The concert worked out great for all involved, Kevin Meyer, a Kiwanis member who helped organize the effort and sang with the choir, said.
“The people really enjoyed it,” Meyer said.
Last week, the organizations presented checks for $1,500 to Family Resource Centers in Lenoir City and Loudon and Monroe counties, as well as the Kids First Child Advocacy Center of the 9th Judicial District and Court Appointed Special Advocates of Monroe County.
Cindy Purdy, coordinator with the Family Resource Center with Loudon County Schools, said she was elated to receive the donation. FRC provides food for about 690 children each week.
“This donation will be a big help in meeting our monthly goals of helping children in the community,” Purdy said.
Chris Evans-Longmire, director of the CAC, thanked the organizations for their hard work and for donations that will pay for transporting counselors.
“We really appreciate it,” she said. “These dollars really help in today’s economy.”
Money donated to CASA will help the organization advocate for hundreds of abused and neglected children, Director Alisa Hobbs said. The funds will help train the 75 volunteer advocates in the organization, she said.
“These donations are very important in funding the efforts to help children,” Hobbs said.
The Family Resource Center with Monroe County Schools will use the money to stock a clothes closet and help continue providing 257 food bags every week to nine schools, Sherri Raper, director, said. The organization also provides medical care at school clinics, sports physicals and child wellness visits.
Susan Fox, director of the Family Resource Center with Lenoir City Schools, said the donation will be used to serve students at a critical time.
“We also work hand in glove with other organizations to help meet the needs and challenges in the community,” Fox said.
Dan Kuzdzal, Kiwanis secretary, said Kiwanis International leadership asked the local club to make an extra effort to partner with other area civic groups to help children’s organizations.
As a result of recent changes in the economy and other factors, children’s organizations are badly in need of funding, Kuzdzal said. Tennessee Department of Child Services recently announced they are underfunded compared to needs, he said.
Amanda DeBord, Rotary president, said she liked that multiple organizations were able to work together toward the common goal of serving young people.
“We were all in unity,” she said.
Featured performers at the concert included Tellico Voices, Take 5, Vocal Point and Harriet Schneider and Friends. The groups performed musical selections of contemporary and popular songs.
Randy Heiden, is involved with the Lions Club and Tellico Working Together, a group that unites charitable and civic organizations to work on projects to benefit the community.
“Being able to bring all these organizations together allows us to accomplish more,” Heiden said.
In addition to raising $50,000 or more every year, including during the pandemic, the Lions Club provides vision screening for children and adults and participates in a variety of projects to help the community, he said.
