By The Numbers 2016
January -April
370
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Neighbor Visits |
$39,710
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Amount disbursed on behalf of Neighbors
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1143.25
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Volunteer Hours Given - Valued at $25,723.13
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2173
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Number of Calls
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Mark your calendar now
!
The
4th Annual
Spirit of
Good Neighbors Banquet will be held on
Thursday November 3rd.... Now is the time to be thinking about your neighbors. Who might deserve recognition that normally goes unnoticed? Who takes care of others without first thinking of the personal cost? Who is a "Good Neighbor" in your life? Get ready, nominations for recipients will be taken beginning in early September. Categories include: Youth, Adult, Senior Adult, Above and Beyond and an organization.
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Garden Day at St. Andrew's Epsicopal Church
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It was a cool and breezy morning as the day began, but it son warmed up and the crowd swarmed in. There were pottery and quilts, the biggest and best silent auction you can imagine, baked goods and fresh herbs, a fancy lunch and even the master gardeners there to answer your questions! David Montgomery and John Coykendall were there to answer gardening questions as well. So much hard work and effort to serve our community! All monies collected were returned to the community shared by 4 on-profit agencies! Good Neighbors is blessed to share in that benefit! Proof that a small parish can do big things! Thank you St. Andrew's!
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From Where I Sit...
Lisa Blackwood,
Executive Director
Over the past few months I believe my perspective has changed, not dramatically, but possibly it is more clear. Just before Easter the early morning ice and I had an unpleasant encounter - the ice won and my ankle lost. Actually the fall was a blessing. It is good to be reminded that it's ok for others to help and that slowing down from time to time is quite all right. You see, through this little hiccup in my life I was reminded that unexpected accidents and expenses happen. Even a simple broken ankle; even if you have great insurance-still affects your life and your budget! Certainly unplanned, unexpected and unwanted, the injury required days off from work, ER visits, specialist visits, a lovely black boot and even a new pair of supportive shoes. I was able to come back to work after two days, but depending on your job returning to work might have taken a couple of weeks or more. Yikes! I see the strain placed on others who do not have great insurance.
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Stories of Hope &
Changed Lives...
Trish came to Good Neighbors with an extremely large utility bill (over $600) Only a small portion was from the previous month. She has a reasonable disability check each month along with a manageable subsidized rent. Mostly she heats with a wood stove, but getting wood has not always been easy. She lives by herself. She sold her reliable car and got something that did not require a car payment. She attends a local church and is seeing a counselor. Before she arrived at Good Neighbors she had been able to either pay herself or borrow all of the bill except $75. GN was able to cover that. While here the coach discussed volunteer opportunities close to her home and gave her other resources as well. Trish left with a big smile and feeling much more like she is in control.
Jenna has a full time job and makes a good salary. She is separated from her husband who is not working. He left only a few weeks ago, but that has left her in a bind as far as childcare expenses for their most precocious 2 year old. As the separation is so new there has been no arrangement for child support yet and she is trying very hard to make ends meet. She is a strong and intelligent young woman. Her utility bill was over $200 and she had paid quite a bit toward the bill but was unable to cover all of it. With the help of GN and a local church the bill was paid and Jenna was off to work. Her water had also been cut off but she was on her way to pay that bill when she left the office. She was very receptive to the additional resources we shared.
Cheryl came to Good Neighbors via a referral from another agency. This was her first visit to GB and she needed assistance with an almost $200 utility bill. She was recently divorced and left to "pay her own way" for the first time ever. To add to her stress level she has a felony on her record from more than 10 years ago. It was a very big mistake and she has completely turned her life around since that event with no further issues. She has been eagerly seeking work, but the felony keeps popping up and preventing her from getting a position. While here, the coach highly encouraged her to be up front about the felony that very afternoon when she interviews for a job that is almost within walking distance of her home. They talked about ways of presenting her situation and her ability to be a great employee even though she has a "past". GN offered assistance toward the utility bill as well as other resources that might benefit Cheryl. She headed toward the job interview and seemed a bit more confident. A few hours later she called to let the coach know that she indeed was hired as a full time employee. Elated! So wonderful when goodness bubbles up!
When following up with our neighbor Megan the caller found out some great news. When Megan had come to Good Neighbors in November 2015 she was struggling to make ends meet. While she had been working a temp job, her husband was working with very low pay and sporadic work times. Her mother in law who lives with them had recently fallen down the stairs and was injured rather severely. Of course this situation brought on added expenses. Being winter their gas bill was higher than normal and disconnection was a real possibility. GN was able to assist with the Atmos bill and refer her to other resources. Fast forward to April 2016 and hear the good news! Megan has been hired full time at a local industrial plant and is doing great! She was most appreciative of the help she received and is very joyful that she has a great job. Success!!
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Lean On Me Concert Big Success!!
May 1st was an amazing day! If you weren't able to be there you missed amazing music, warm fellowship and fabulous hospitality! Alcoa First United Methodist Church shared their beautiful sanctuary and amazing ability to make everyone feel special with all who were there. From the smallest detail to the volunteers who welcomed everyone, nothing was left out! The music for the evening was outstanding! So many styles and sounds.
Choirs/musicians participating were:
Alcoa First United Methodist Choir
Our Lady of Fatima Catholic Church Choir
Sarah Pirkle
Maryville College Voices of Praise
Lake Forest Presbyterian Church
Maryville First United Methodist Church, Men's Ensemble
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