2018 Anderson County Ally of the Year announced

Pastor Wayne Phillips and Main Street Baptist Church have been named 2018 Anderson County Ally of the Year by ASAP of Anderson County.

The Anderson County Ally of the Year Campaign has two goals. One is to increase awareness of the prevention efforts of ASAP of Anderson County, and the second is to raise funds to continue those efforts. In 2018, both goals were accomplished, a press release said.

Candidates Harold Edwards, Leslie England, Stanton Martin, Pastor Wayne Phillips, and Chief James Shetterly were nominated by community members to run for the title, the press release said. Each candidate conducted their own campaign, but they were united by the same goals. In the end, Phillips and Main Street Baptist Church took home the title.

Phillips and his wife have been involved throughout the year through activities such as hosting a participating in listening sessions around Anderson County with Mayor Terry Frank to discuss the current problems of drug misuse in the county and solutions to decrease these problems, the press release said.

“Drugs and alcohol is the biggest challenge that our culture faces today,” Phillips said. “ASAP is making a major impact in the lives of people (who are hurting) in Anderson County. Main Street Church is honored to contribute to this fund raising event.”

Phillips and Main Street Baptist Church also hosted a faith-based forum where attendees could learn about the disease of addiction, understand recovery, apply as a certified recovery church or faith-based organization, learn about resources to support their congregation and community members, and discuss how coalitions and faith-based organizations can work together, the release said. To put into action what was learned at this forum, Main Street Baptist Church has started hosting a recovery meeting in Rocky Top every Thursday evening.

All of the candidates did an amazing job throughout this campaign, which began on January 1 and continued through January 26, the press release said. Because of them and the support they received throughout the community, nearly $7,000 was raised and will stay right here in Anderson County to continue prevention of substance misuse and the effects on this community, the release said.

First runner-up Leslie England said: “I am so thankful that we have ASAP in our community. I cannot imagine where we would be without the prevention and reduction of alcohol and substance misuse.”

Chief Shetterly, of Rocky Top Police Department, has supported ASAP both personally and professionally, the press release said. Rocky Top was one of the first to contribute to see the value of the Family Drug Treatment Court and support it financially, the release said.

“It is no surprise that he truly came through to support prevention in his county and finished as second runner-up,” the press release said.

Third runner-up, Stanton Martin, a student at Anderson County High School, was the first youth candidate ever to participate in this event.

“Thank you for the opportunity to represent the youth of Anderson County,” Martin said. “We value our community and appreciate all that ASAP does to stand against substance abuse.”

The fourth runner-up, Harold Edwards, who works closely with businesses throughout the county understands how substance misuse not only impacts children and families, but also businesses and how it has a huge economic impact on our county, the press release said.

The candidates were to be honored at the Allies of ASAP Community Appreciation Banquet held on February 2. To learn more about ASAP of Anderson County, the candidates, or ways to get involved in your community, visit ASAPofAnderson.org or call (865) 457-3007.

More information will be added as it becomes available.

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