CityView Magazine

By Christina Connally Honkonen
Photos: Dave Moore

Knoxville residents find a cause to fight for and don’t let go.

They feed a homeless man who has been on the streets for years. And then look him in the eyes and listen while he tells his story. They talk with a teen about her unplanned pregnancy, and shower her with gifts to help her prepare for motherhood. They provide a home for an abused child, and tell her that she is truly of great worth in this world. These are East Tennessee’s volunteers, people who give of their time and energy to work that uplift their community. It’s not a random act of kindness that they provide, but regular, long hours of work that is often times draining but always, in the end, uplifts. Regardless of the barriers, they continue to provide work that responds to chronic homelessness, teen pregnancy, child abuse, and other issues all too prevalent. Together, they have built a dynasty of hope in East Tennessee.

To showcase a few of the many dedicated individuals who effect change in their communities, staff from nine non-profits were asked to give the name of one dedicated volunteer who has made a distinct impact within their organizations. The resulting philanthropists have shared stories rich in humor, sadness and compassion. Their struggles are as tragic as some of the lives they touch, but the rewards, as they say, have been immense.

Interfaith Health Clinic
Debbie Allen believes that people’s lives can be altered, that someone can reach out to another person in need and positively impact that life forever.  It’s a notion that has inspired her as a volunteer physician at Interfaith Health Clinic, providing affordable health care to individuals without health insurance. After fourteen years regularly volunteering with the clinic, Allen chose to leave her practice and accept the fifth offer to become medical director at Interfaith Health Clinic. She has been a physician since 1981, and with the support of family, children and friends, her first day as director will be September 22, 2008.

“It’s purely about helping people who need to be helped. The other day a nurse practitioner worked overtime to make sure a man received treatment,” Allen said. “She had to go to the UT medical center and beg for help and because of her that man received care at 10 percent of the total cost. That’s what people do here. They go the extra mile. It’s not a job to anyone; it’s a mission.” Allen is only one of many health care practitioners who provide their services at no cost, she said. She treats people who have slipped through the cracks at other social service organizations; some have been sick for years without treatment, and others have undergone catastrophic events, she said. As a volunteer physician, it is rare that she sees the people she treats after they leave the clinic, but she still feels that her work has been appreciated.  “They have thanked me. They have made me feel that I did something, and it has been utterly rewarding,” Allen said.  Her hope is that the work provided at Interfaith Health Clinic creates better life opportunities for those in need.

Childhelp Children’s Center of East Tennessee
When David Purvis was introduced to the mission of Childhelp Children’s Center of East Tennessee, he decided to do something that would provide support for the organization. Never one to make a small impact, his solution was the Trois Chefs fundraising event that continues to raise 25 percent of the organization’s operating budget every year. Through years of volunteering, Purvis has served as President of the Board of Directors once and chairman of the event every year, becoming an inspirational spokesperson for the organization. “It’s humbling because these are small children who have been involved in sexual and physical abuse and it’s appalling. Some people won’t tour the facilities because it’s so emotional,” Purvis said. “It’s a very complex issue, abuse, in the fact that they’re children who don’t come forward. Conviction is very difficult and often times they are not prosecuting because it’s such a difficult process. ” Since 1999, Purvis, who also runs Farragut Wine and Spirits and a health care billing company, has volunteered almost daily for the organization which provides treatment and foster care options for children who have been victims of physical or sexual abuse. Ten years later, the Trois Chefs event, to be held Friday, October 17, brings in more than 240 people annually, and will be held at the Cherokee Country Club this year. “Being exposed to the children is humbling, and the staff, they’re not here because of the money’ they’re here to help children understand and heal and give them a better chance of being a positive influence in society.”

Habitat for Humanity
In 1995, Marvin House and his wife, Mary Jane House, decided that they would stop everything they were doing, sell his construction company, and dedicate two years of their life to volunteer work. When their plan to join the Peace Corps fell apart, they chose to work with the Christian Appalachian Project for one year, and the second year was given to Habitat for Humanity.

Eleven years later, House continues to volunteer his free time to construction and serves as a Board of Directors member for the non-profit organization which builds homes for 30 families in East Tennessee every year. Though the years, he has helped build over 50 homes with Habitat, but he still finds time to develop personal relationships with the Habitat families.

“It’s an opportunity that you just don’t get every day, especially in our business world of computers and Blackberries and cell phones,” House said. House, who owns Merit Construction Co., has worked with the organization in many different capacities. For his 60th birthday, his family took part in one of his favorite “Blitz Days,” where volunteers with Habitat work with a new family to put up the walls and roof of their new home. From interviewing families who have applied for a home to putting in long hours of construction work, there is a never-ending amount of work to complete. But as he adds, “You get more back than you ever give.”

Hope Resource Center
Women walk into Hope Resource Center for many reasons. Some seek guidance as they prepare to bring a child into the world, and others are contemplating adoption or abortion as they venture through an overwhelming life experience.

This is where Nancy Miller meets them, and it is a place she feels blessed to provide assistance. As a trained client advocate with Hope, Miller has counseled women for three years with the organization, which provides health services for women facing an unplanned pregnancy. She shares her Christian faith and discusses all options that a young man or woman may consider when they enter the center. As an adoptee, Miller is an advocate for adoption services, and shares her own success story with mothers who are considering the option.

“For me the most touching times have been when the girls I have spent so much time with have their babies,” Miller said. “It is very special to visit them in the hospital or when they bring their baby in and we see the things we teach come to pass and see them become good moms.”

Miller will often counsel a new mother until her baby is six months old, acting as guide through discussion relating to career path, relationship issues and the pregnancy experience. The Earn While You Learn program offers “baby bucks,” that women earn as they work their way through a parenting preparation course. And the counselors will throw a shower for women who are enrolled in the preparation classes, helping them accumulate bottles, pacifiers, diapers and more.  “It’s four hours out of my week that I feel like I can make a difference.”

Boys and Girls Club
During one day in East Tennessee over 1,400 hotdogs are eaten, faces are painted, cotton candy is provided and carnival games are enjoyed by kids who would normally never have the opportunity to experience these things. It’s called Fun Day, and underprivileged youth with the Boys and Girls Club look forward to it every year. “We’re there to serve them. We give away bicycles and other toys,” said R.L. “Bunny” Oakes III, who has chaired the Boys and Girls Clun Fun Day event the past 28 years. “These kids, they’re just searching for someone to care.”Oakes has volunteered with the Boys and Girls Club of the Tennessee Valley in a variety of capacities, acting as a member of the Board of Directors and serving as chairman of the Corporate Board of Directors. “The mission is to provide life skills – leadership, education, values – I think we’ve lost a lot of that,” Oakes said. “There’s nothing more important to our state, to our country, than how we take care of our kids.” Through the years there have been two experiences that have helped secured Oakes’ faith in the Boys and Girls Club mission. The first was a report given by a group of club volunteers who visited a correctional facility for youth. “I realized how important it is to prevent kids from ever going into the penal system because once they are there, they very rarely get out and are able to move on to becoming a positive influence on society,” Oakes said. His second influence was the introduction of Colin Powell’s five basic resources for youth, part of an initiative titled “America’s Promise.” “When I thought about those resources…a safe place, nutrition…that’s exactly what the Boys and Girls Club provides,” Oakes said. “It’s a movement as a country I don’t think we can afford to neglect.”

Ronald McDonald House
When Keys Fillauer and his friends completed the First Annual Keys Fillauer Invitational Golf Tournament and Clam Bake in 1978, they had $400 left after costs were met. Fillauer wasn’t sure what the group wanted to do with the extra money, but they all felt that it should support a good cause. “I had a friend who was a volunteer at the Ronald McDonald House and that person suggested that it would be a good place to donate the extra money,” Fillauer said. “There were nine players that first year and we had so much fun that we said we’ll do this again next year.” Through the last twenty-nine years, the tournament has become an important fundraiser for the Ronald McDonald House, which provides programs that improve the health and wellbeing of children. Bringing in $37,000 for the non-profit last year, the invitation-only tournament accommodates 120 players, and also includes a poolside party, live and silent auction, dinner and an awards presentation. And to date, the tournament has brought in $481,000. As a retired teacher and basketball coach at the Oak Ridge School, Fillauer viewed the mission of the Ronald McDonald House as an extension of his educational work with children. “When we visited that first time, I realized that the RMH mission was something I needed to be part of,” Fillauer said. “It gives these families a chance to be near their children who are in the hospital and it also gives those families a home away from home.”The Ronald McDonald House provides a temporary home for families of seriously ill children receiving treatment at nearby hospitals.

Friends of the Smokies
During the past twelve years, Elenore Burbank has volunteered approximately 9,984 hours of her time to Friends of the Smokies, a non-profit organization that works to preserve and protect the Great Smoky Mountains National Park. As a regular volunteer, Burbank, who goes by “Ellie,” digitally processes all donations that the organization receives, sends out thank-you letters and acts as a type of membership coordinator for the organization. “When I found ‘Friends,’ that was my niche, and a way for me to give back in return for what the park had given me” Burbank said. “It’s kind of like a regular job; I just don’t get paid for it.”With two adult daughters and six grandchildren, Burbank views her volunteer job as a retirement hobby. Her husband volunteers with Cades Cove, and they travel together when they can. As previous managers of Snowbird Mountain Lodge in Robinsville, N.C., it was only natural that they would continue work to help maintain the health of a natural park. The 25-mile drive to and from her job is long, but Burbank looks forward to her visits. “It’s just my way to donate something for the good of the national park,” Burbank said. “I look forward to it; I sort of plan my week around those two days.” Friends of the Smokies provides over $1 million to the Smoky Mountain National Park every year. The money goes to support park programs, and maintenance of the trail system, which Burbank truly appreciates.
 
Helen Ross McNabb Center
During every second Saturday of the month, Cooks for Christ provides a unique opportunity for the homeless of Knoxville. With tablecloths, white napkins, flowers and live music provided, they actually serve a three-course dinner. There are no lines and every homeless person who walks through the doors of the Knoxville Area Rescue Ministries is treated with respect. “I’ve seen some ladies sit down and literally cry through dinner because they’ve not been treated this way in so long,” said Cindy Van Riet, whose husband started the Cooks for Christ group thirteen years ago. “It’s emotional... and it can be hard to see them and know that they are living on the streets.” Robert Van Riet,Cindy’s husband, started the Cooks group after seeing a homeless man being kicked out of a restaurant. Since he began working with Park West Church of Christ, he has met homeless people who are college graduates, veterans and those who are “just down on their luck.” Van Riet is quick to add, “What we do is not about my glory or Cindy’s glory; it’s about God.” While the once-a-month service night usually accommodates 200 people, he would like to see other volunteer groups form to provide a meal once a week at the Knoxville Area Rescue Ministries. “You will see their whole confidence totally change; they just can’t believe that somebody would actually serve them,” Van Riet said. “I get more out of it spiritually than the people do that I serve.”