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In the Family Ministries department, we have a new ministry called TREKK- "Teaching, Reaching and Equipping Knoxville's Kids". We are partnering with Cedar Bluff Elelmentary School. We are very excited about this endeavor, and we hope you and your family will be also.
Cedar Bluff Elementary is the second largest elementary school in the state of Tennessee. A new building was just built for them. The capacity is for 900 students. They already have 1385 students. 60% of their children are on free and reduced lunch. Often times, these children do not eat on the weekends.
There are 14 languages spoken at CBE. It is a melting pot for 3 family homes. Knox County gives each deserving child a coupon for one pair of shoes each year. By the end of 6 months, most of the shoes have holes or are too stinky to wear. For a mom who has to decide whether to buy food or hygiene items, she is probably going to buy food.
Kim and Kelly have been meeting with the guidance counselors at CBE. The needed requests were small but seemed out of reach for them. They asked for Christmas baskets. Concord already does this, so we will add them to our list. They asked for an Angel Tree and shoes (sizes 13-7). They requested school supplies to give out in the fall and throughout the year.
They asked about hygiene items such as deoderant, shampoo, soap, towels, wash cloths, toothbrushes and toothpaste. Kim and Kelly were able to purchase 5 girl and 5 boy hygiene bags. Each bag cost between $17-$20. We were also able to purchase 6 pairs of tennis shoes.
With the help of Concord's scholarship program, we are sending 2 young ladies to Camp Wesley Woods. Their parents are very thankful that their children will have an opportunity like this.
CBE also talked to Kim and Kelly about a mentoring program. Please consider being a constant in a child's life for a year. You would help a child with his reading or math for 30 minutes to one hour each week. You could do this on your lunch break! Training will be provided. Sometimes, it just takes that one special person at school or at church to make a difference in a child's life.
Whether you would like to be a mentor, donate shoes or a hygiene bag or make a monetary donation, we need YOU to help us make this ministry successful for the children at CBE. Thank you in advance for your consideration!
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