Oak Ridge Today

Holiday festival at revamped Jackson Square to benefit ADFAC

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Holiday-Festival-Jackson-Square-ADFAC-Dec-5-2015

Buying local could help neighborhood families this holiday season. The Jackson Square Holiday Festival and Market will take place from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday, December 5. Visitors can buy artisan and handmade gifts, sample local cuisine, see live entertainment, and even snap photos with Santa. Best of all, this family-friendly event will raise funds for Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties, or ADFAC.

“The winter months can be especially difficult financially for families,” ADFAC Executive Director Annie Cacheiro said. “The Jackson Square Festival and Market will be a fun event that raises funds, awareness, and holiday spirit during this crucial time. We’re excited to be involved.”

The event planning committee is seeking vendors and offering a special inaugural event rate for space. [Read more…]

ADFAC to honor Cande Seay with Bill Wilcox Bow Tie Award

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Cande Seay

Cande Seay

 

ADFAC will honor dedicated volunteer and advocate Cande Seay with its Bill Wilcox Bow Tie Award in a celebration and fundraiser on Tuesday.

It’s the Third Annual Bill Wilcox Bow Tie Celebration and Fundraiser. It will be held Tuesday, October 27, from 5:30-8 p.m. at St. Mary’s Parish Life Center in Oak Ridge.

“Our community will come together to honor this very special lady, and we hope family, friends, past coworkers, and the many admirers of Cande Seay will join us!” a press release said.

Seay was unanimously chosen earlier this year as the 2015 winner of ADFAC’s Bill Wilcox Bow Tie Award. Previous winners of the prestigious award have been Ray Smith and the late Tim Myrick. [Read more…]

‘Dine and Donate’: Eat out to help our less fortunate neighbors

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Jefferson Soda Fountain

Jefferson Soda Fountain, located at 22 N. Jefferson Circle, has been serving local residents since 1944.  The restaurant continues to delight customers with “not fast food, but good food fast,” serving breakfast from 7:30 – 11:00 and lunch from 11:00 – 3:00. (Submitted photo)

 

Whether it’s breakfast, lunch or dinner (or all three!), dining out at seven local restaurants on Monday, October 12, is an easy and tasty way to help the needy in our communities. The second Monday of each month is designated as Dine and Donate Monday, during which local citizens are encouraged to eat out at participating restaurants. The restaurants, in turn, provide a portion of their sales to support Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties, or ADFAC.

On Monday, October 12, the following restaurants are participating in Dine and Donate:

  • Hoskins in Clinton
  • Jefferson Soda Fountain in Oak Ridge
  • Mediterranean Delight in Oak Ridge
  • Papa Murphy’s in Oak Ridge
  • Razzleberry’s in Oak Ridge
  • Riverview Grill in Oak Ridge
  • The Soup Kitchen in Oak Ridge

[Read more…]

Oak Ridge receives $2.9 million grant from TVA for Energy Makeover

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Mark Watson

Mark Watson

The City of Oak Ridge has been selected for a $2.9 million grant from the Tennessee Valley Authority that will “undoubtedly change the lives of people living in legacy Oak Ridge homes by helping them save money on their utility bills,” officials said Friday.

This grant is part of TVA’s Extreme Energy Makeover project and will allow the start of an unprecedented revitalization of the legacy homes in the Oak Ridge community and provide assistance to those that need it the most, a press release said.

“The City of Oak Ridge is honored to be selected for participation and award for use in the Extreme Energy Makeover program, which will be used to encourage use of the legacy housing of the city when it was a ‘Secret City,’” City Manager Mark Watson said. “This investment will demonstrate our housing’s continued value for residents for years to come. As historical housing, our demonstration project has shown that electrical usage can be substantially reduced creating a ‘win-win’ for our residents, TVA, and the Oak Ridge electrical system alike. We look forward to the challenge and partnership with TVA to become a model for the entire TVA service region.” [Read more…]

Celebrate two years of ‘Dine and Donate’ by eating out on Monday

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Burchfield's and Ray and Fanny Smith

Burchfield’s, located inside the Oak Ridge DoubleTree, is a popular spot for locals like Ray and Fanny Smith. The restaurant is one of only a few Dine and Donate participants to offer breakfast, and there are extensive choices for lunch, dinner, and everything in between. Burchfield’s has been a proud culinary supporter of ADFAC for nine years, dating all the way back to ADFAC’s first Feed the Need event in 2007! (Submitted photo)

 

In the past 24 months, thousands of breakfasts, lunches and dinners have been enjoyed by members of our community—and all for a good cause. On the second Monday of each month, local citizens are encouraged to eat out at participating Dine and Donate restaurants. The restaurants, in turn, provide a portion of their sales to support Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties, or ADFAC.

Monday, September 14, wraps up the second full year of Dine and Donate with the following participating restaurants:

  • Burchfield’s in Oak Ridge
  • Gallo Loco in Oak Ridge
  • Gondolier in Clinton
  • Hoskins in Clinton
  • Mediterranean Delight in Oak Ridge
  • Papa Murphy’s in Oak Ridge
  • Razzleberry’s in Oak Ridge
  • Salsarita’s in Oak Ridge

[Read more…]

ADFAC school supplies distribution under way

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Clinton Fire Department and ADFAC School Supplies

Members of the Clinton Fire Department spend a morning packing school supplies, loading the fire truck, and delivering them to Clinton schools. (Submitted photo)

 

Since Thursday, July 9, volunteers from all over Anderson County have been sorting donated school supplies for Oak Ridge and Anderson County schools, packing them in bags and backpacks that are loaded into vehicles and distributing the packed items to classrooms.

Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties has been coordinating the collection, packing, and distribution of school supplies for 26 years. As a result, teachers aren’t obliged to spend their hard-earned money on items needed by their growing number of students from disadvantaged families.

Last year. ADFAC provided school supplies to more than 2,500 area students from disadvantaged families. This year, the local nonprofit service organization’s staff hopes to increase the number of school supplies by 12 percent with the help of ongoing support from the community. [Read more…]

Techmer PM becomes benefactor sponsor for ADFAC

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Techmer PM Donates to ADFAC

Committee members of the Techmer PM Employee Volunteerism Program celebrate their corporate donation to ADFAC. From left, Matthew Caruso, Kimberly Williamson, Otella Seeber, Nicole Brannick, Ron Lawson, and ADFAC’s executive director, Annie Cacheiro. EVP committee members not pictured: Darren Jones and Rachel Turner. (Photo courtesy ADFAC)

 

ADFAC announced on Friday that Techmer PM has become a benefactor sponsor for its 2015 Corporate Membership Campaign.

The Techmer PM Employee Volunteerism Program committee members presented their donation on behalf of the company to ADFAC’s executive director, Annie Cacheiro, a press release said.

The Techmer PM Employee Volunteerism Program, or EVP, was created to support, encourage, and coordinate the volunteer efforts of their employees, the release said. Its mission is to invest time in national, regional, and local initiatives that improve the quality of life for those in their communities. Charitable support is focused in three areas: youth programs, homeless/indigent, and military. [Read more…]

Centrus donates $2,500 to ADFAC

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Centrus Donates to ADFAC

Centrus Energy Corporation’s Jeff Cooper, right, presents the 2015 Corporate Membership contribution to ADFAC’s Executive Director Annie Cacheiro, left, and Corporate Committee members Ray Smith, second from left, and Barry Stephenson. (Submitted photo)

 

Centrus Energy Corporation donated $2,500 to ADFAC and became the first 2015 Grand Benefactor Corporate Member, the nonprofit organization’s Corporate Committee announced this week.

Jeff Cooper, Centrus’s Lead Cascade Project Manager, recently presented the donation to Ray Smith and Barry Stephenson, ADFAC Corporate Committee members.

“This corporate contribution is going to help lead the way for other corporate contributions for ADFAC,” said Smith, who is a member of the ADFAC Board of Directors. “It’s so appreciated and will truly help AFDAC fulfill their mission of ‘neighbors helping neighbors.'” [Read more…]

UCOR contributes to ADFAC as benefactor sponsor

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UCOR ADFAC Donation 2015

UCOR President and Project Manager Ken Rueter, right, presents the 2015 Corporate Membership contribution to ADFAC’s Ray Smith, left, Board of Directors and Corporate Committee member, and ADFAC’s Executive Director, Annie Cacheiro. (Submitted photo)

 

UCOR recently contributed to Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties as a benefactor sponsor for ADFAC’s 2015 Corporate Membership Campaign, a press release said.

UCOR President and Project Manager Ken Rueter presented the contribution to ADFAC representative Ray Smith and Executive Director Annie Cacheiro. UCOR is a partnership between URS and CH2M Oak Ridge LLC.

Smith, an ADFAC board member and Corporate Committee member, said: “This campaign is geared toward encouraging area corporations to support the very important mission of helping those most in need in our community. UCOR has been a corporate member for several years and we greatly appreciate their continued generosity.” [Read more…]

ADFAC: Dine and Donate returns Monday, June 8

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Eli Mauk-Olson at Buddy's bar-b-q

Just in time for a summer picnic, treat for dad, or office party, Buddy’s Bar-B-Q in Oak Ridge and Buddy’s ORNL Café are participating in the June 8 Dine and Donate event. Eli Mauk-Olson, a recent graduate of Robertsville Middle School, appears ready to celebrate the end of the school year! (Submitted photo)

 

School is out, and Father’s Day is around the corner: These are just two of many reasons to celebrate with a Dine and Donate meal!

On Monday, June 8, six local restaurants will donate a portion of their sales to support Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties, or ADFAC. Launched in October 2013, Dine and Donate is a yearlong event, with different restaurants participating on the second Monday of each month.

“Whether celebrating the fathers in our lives or simply beating the heat, dining out at least one of Monday’s Dine and Donate restaurants is a fantastic way to enjoy the season,” said ADFAC Board Member Cande Seay, who also chairs the Dine and Donate committee.

The restaurants participating on Monday are: [Read more…]

ADFAC: Give Mom a late Mother’s Day treat—on purpose!

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Popeyes Dine and Donate May 2015

Two children stop by Popeye’s in Oak Ridge for a quick after-school snack. Dedicated to providing “Louisiana Fast” food, Popeye’s menu takes a step outside the box, offering chicken and seafood prepared spicy or blackened. Side items range from freshly made biscuits and Cajun fries to red beans and rice and jambalaya. (Photo submitted by ADFAC)

 

On Monday, May 11—the day after Mother’s Day—several local restaurants will donate a portion of their sales to support Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties, or ADFAC.

Across Oak Ridge and Anderson County, these 12 restaurants provide a unique opportunity for a slightly late gift that gives back to the community.

“The moms in our lives do so much to help us and others,” said Cande Seay, chair of the Dine and Donate committee. “A special meal out is a great way to show your appreciation of Mom’s hard work. Dining out on Monday, May 11, at one of our fabulous Dine and Donate restaurants gives you the chance to treat your Mom and pay it forward in her honor!”

Restaurants participating on Monday, May 11, are: [Read more…]

Land Bank has first housing strategy meeting on Thursday

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Oak Ridge Land Bank Housing Strategy

The Oak Ridge Land Bank Corporation will host its first housing strategy meeting on Thursday. The goal is to address the city’s housing situation while building partnerships in a collaborative effort to promote the city “as the place to live and work by improving our community’s neighborhoods,” a press release said.

The work session is scheduled from 1 to 5 p.m. Thursday, May 14, at the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce.

Agenda items including the state of housing, a mobile tour, and partner presentations by ADFAC (Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties), Habitat for Humanity of Anderson County, Oak Ridge Housing Authority, and Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce. [Read more…]