NASHVILLE, TN – Volunteer Tennessee will mark National Volunteer Week with a citywide service event in Knoxville on Tuesday, April 17. This project, in collaboration with Knoxville - Knox County Community Action Committee’s (CAC) AmeriCorps Program, will bring together approximately 175 participants from national service programs across the state to serve at eight sites throughout the city.
AmeriCorps State and AmeriCorps VISTA members and staff, Senior Corps volunteers and staff, Volunteer Generation Fund staff, and board members and staff from Volunteer Tennessee, the state commission on volunteerism and service, will join forces to make an impact in communities around Knoxville.
Projects will include:
• Sorting donations at Goodwill Industries
• Cleaning and organizing program areas at two Boys and Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley: Vestal Boys & Girls Club and Haslam Family Boys and Girls Club
• Reading to students, classroom prep, and cleaning projects at the New Hopewell Elementary School
• Packing meals for CAC Mobile Meals that will be delivered to Knox County Seniors and people with disabilities
• Spring gardening activities at CAC’s Beardsley Farm
• Two outdoor clean-up projects through Keep Knoxville Beautiful
Participants will arrive in Knoxville on Monday evening for a kick-off event where City of Knoxville Mayor Madeline Rogero and town of Farragut Mayor Ralph McGill will recognize the impact AmeriCorps and Senior Corps programs have made on their local communities.
“CAC AmeriCorps is excited to partner with Volunteer Tennessee for the Team Tennessee Service Day,” said Jason Scott, Program Director for CAC AmeriCorps. “This is an awesome opportunity for National Service programs to make an impact and celebrate service during National Volunteer Week.”
National Volunteer Week, sponsored by Points of Light, was established in 1974 and has grown steadily each year, with thousands of volunteer projects and special events scheduled throughout the week around the U.S.
Each year, more than 5,377 AmeriCorps and Senior Corps members are “getting things done” for Tennessee. At more than 1,029 locations throughout the state, these everyday heroes support veterans and military families, respond to disasters, assist the elderly, tutor and mentor children, restore the environment, increase economic opportunity, and recruit and manage volunteers.
“National service is a vital part of keeping Tennessee communities strong” said Greg Lyles, Volunteer Tennessee board chair. “Events such as this are a great way to bring together those with a passion for serving their fellow citizens, and demonstrate what AmeriCorps and Senior Corps programs can achieve.”
To learn more about Volunteer Tennessee, visit www.volunteertennessee.net. To learn more about the CAC AmeriCorps, visit www.cacamericorps.org.
