Oak Ridge Today

Murder Mystery auction features Dalton Knecht signed jersey, shrimp boil for 12

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Signed Dalton Knecht jersey, professionally framed (Submitted photo)

On Friday, May 3, ADFAC (Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties Inc.) will host “Murder at the Lake,” its fourth murder mystery fundraiser.

“Event guests will put their sleuthing skills to the test as they enjoy a catered dinner, and a few attendees will be fortunate enough to bring home one of the live auction items,” a press release said.

“We are pleased to have five amazing auction items,” said Jamie LaRose, ADFAC development Director. “Our community has been very generous in providing a wonderful array of items and experiences.”

Auction items include a signed and framed Dalton Knecht jersey and a baseball signed by University of Tennessee head coach Tony Vitello, both courtesy of Melissa Charles. Sheila Michel is offering a traditional shrimp boil for 12, and Ron and Annie Cacheiro are providing a four-hour boat ride with water sports. Lastly, Tara and Brian Kneiser are donating a three-night cabin rental in the Smokies for six people.

The event will be held at Calhoun’s Event Center in Oak Ridge from 5 to 8 p.m. May 3. Tickets are $100 each and can be found at https://tinyurl.com/adfacmurder, and on ADFAC’s website and Facebook page. Ticket sales end on April 24. [Read more…]

First employee art contest raises $608 for Project Safe, ADFAC

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Back row, left to right, are Brittany Burger, Oak Ridge Police Department (ORPD); Jim Sherrill, Utilities Business Office (UBO); Lt. Matthew Tedford, ORPD; and Andrew Lape, UBO. Middle row, left to right, are Rachelle Clowers, Jamie Fischer, DeDe Wolfe, and Amy Justice, all of UBO. Front row, left to right, are Marlene Bannon, UBO; Kirsten Aslinger, UBO; Annie Cacheiro, ADFAC; and Joey Smith, ADFAC. (Submitted photo)


The City of Oak Ridge had its first employee art contest benefitting Project Safe, a program administered by Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties (ADFAC), this fall, and the winners and donation totals are in, a press release said.

The theme for the inaugural art contest, which ran from October 4 through November 17, 2021, was “City of Oak Ridge Facilities, Services, or People.”

Employees were invited to create artwork within this theme and then the work was placed on display for voting.

Employees could make $1 donations to Project Safe to cast a vote for their favorite pieces. Project Safe helps those in our community who need assistance with utility bills, the press release said.

[Read more…]

ADFAC Bill Wilcox Bow Tie will honor Dodson

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Left to right, past Bow Tie awardees announcing Jim Dodson as this year’s recipient: Ray Smith, Louise Mixon, Teresa Myrick, Jim Dodson, Cande Seay, Tom Row, Tom Beehan, and Bear Stephenson. Not pictured: Bill Capshaw. (Submitted photo)

 

Submitted

ADFAC will host “The Starry Night,” their ninth annual Bill Wilcox Bow Tie Event, on Saturday, October 23, at the Doubletree Hotel in Oak Ridge. This event celebrates an important volunteer in our community each year who exemplifies the values of the late Bill Wilcox. This year’s honoree is local educator and community volunteer Jim Dodson.

The cocktail-attire event will begin at 5 p.m. It will feature Elaine Graham as the emcee, and it will be a night of celebration while making every effort to host a safe and fun event to raise funds for ADFAC, a press release said.

“ADFAC and the Bow Tie Committee, chaired by Wendie Aurin, are excited about the fun opportunities this year’s event offers, including a special performance by The Missing Goats, self-described as a four-piece pub band, who entertain with Irish, Scottish, and Appalachian songs,” the press release said.

The program will also include stories shared by some of Dodson’s friends and family about his important contributions to the community and opportunities to learn more about ADFAC’s mission and work in the area, the press release said. [Read more…]

ADFAC seeks contractors for five homes

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Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties (ADFAC) is a non-profit community based agency, located in Oak Ridge, Tennessee. We are seeking licensed and insured general contractors to construct five, single-family homes on scattered sites in Anderson and Morgan County. The goal is to provide first-time homeowners with safe, quality, and energy-efficient new housing for economically disadvantaged residents.

Contractors will be required to provide documentation of contractor’s license, current liability, and workers compensation insurance. Contractors must be eligible to participate in state or federally funded projects. Each home constructed must meet ENERGY STAR standards and will be HERS rated for energy efficiency.

[Read more…]

Beehan named as ADFAC Bill Wilcox Bow Tie Awardee

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Left to right, past Bow Tie awardees announcing Tom Beehan as this year’s recipient (note: photo taken in January 2020): Bear Stephenson, Ray Smith, Teresa Myrick, Tom Beehan, Cande Seay, Bill Capshaw, Louise Mixon, and Tom’s wife, Kay Brookshire. (Submitted photo)

ADFAC will host its eighth annual Bill Wilcox Bow Tie Event on Saturday, November 14, at the DoubleTree Hotel in Oak Ridge.

This event celebrates an important volunteer in the community each year who exemplifies the values of the late Bill Wilcox, a press release said. This year’s honoree is former mayor and local volunteer Tom Beehan.

This year’s pandemic-altered event will be a “drive by” event with multiple focuses, the press release said: [Read more…]

Oak Ridge Electric Department partners with TVA to donate another $10,000 to ADFAC

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The Oak Ridge Electric Department has partnered with the Tennessee Valley Authority to award another $10,000 to Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties (ADFAC) to help the local community during the ongoing COVID-19 crisis, a press release said.

The funds will be used to help meet the essential needs of the residents of Oak Ridge, including rent, housing, and utilities, the press release said. This donation is in addition to the $10,000 that was donated to ADFAC back in April.

“These funds have been able to assist more than 160 households in Oak Ridge since March, with much needed assistance paying for utilities and rent,” said Oak Ridge Electric Director Jack Suggs. “We are very grateful for this opportunity and hope it reduces the potential for things like utility termination and eviction.”

[Read more…]

Dine and Donate to help ADFAC on Monday

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Flashback: The five participating Subway restaurants have supported ADFAC for more than a decade, starting with the first “Feed the Need” event in 2007. This photo is from 2013, taken at the Clinton Subway at 1108 N. Charles G. Seivers Boulevard. (Submitted photo)

 

On Monday, March 9, you can help local families simply by eating out! On that day, participating restaurants will donate a portion of sales to support Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties (ADFAC).

March’s featured Dine & Donate supporters are five Anderson County Subway restaurants: two locations in Clinton, one in Oak Ridge at 1968 Oak Ridge Turnpike, and one each in Oliver Springs and Rocky Top. Known for sandwiches topped with your choice of fresh ingredients, Subway also offers daily soups, pizza, salads, and fresh-baked cookies, a press release said. [Read more…]

Celebrate—or take a break from—the holidays with Dine and Donate!

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ADFAC Dine and Donate

ADFAC’s Becky Hook and Nan Shugart recently brought ‘Addy the School Supplies Frog’ along for a celebratory lunch at Mediterranean Delight. (Submitted photo)

 

The holiday season is in full force! Black Friday is over, and Cyber Monday has come and gone—but the blizzard of holiday activities won’t be over for a few more weeks.

On Monday, December 9, rest your feet and enjoy good eats with ADFAC’s Dine and Donate event! On that day, participating restaurants will donate a portion of sales to support Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties (ADFAC). Whether you need a break from holiday stress or want to share an early festive meal with friends and family, Dine and Donate restaurants are ready for you.

December’s featured Dine & Donate supporter is Mediterranean Delight, located in Security Square shopping center, tucked behind Methodist Therapy Services. Mediterranean Delight offers exceptional ethnic cuisine. Customers “delight” in regional Mediterranean specialties such as tabbouleh, hummus, baba ghanoush, kubeh, shawarma, and kebabs. Multiple vegetarian and gluten-free dishes are available. [Read more…]

ADFAC Bill Wilcox Bow Tie Celebration and Fundraiser is Nov. 9

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Bill Capshaw: 2019 Bill Wilcox Bow Tie Award recipient (Submitted photo)

 

Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties is hosting its annual Bow Tie Gala on Saturday, November 9, at the Doubletree Hotel in Oak Ridge. This year’s honoree is celebrated local artist Bill Capshaw.

The Bow Tie award was established several years ago as a tribute to local historian Bill Wilcox. Each year’s honoree has exemplified the values of community and philanthropy that Wilcox demonstrated himself, a press release said.

“The purpose of the event is to honor a cherished community leader, but also raise much-needed funds for ADFAC’s long and short-term sustainability with proceeds partially benefiting ADFAC’s Bow Tie Endowment,” the press release said.

Past recipients of the award have included Ray Smith, Tim Myrick, Cande Seay, Bear Stephenson, Tom Row, Kathy Stimpson (posthumously), and Louise Mixon. [Read more…]

Dine and Donate on Monday, Oct. 14, to help local families

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Dean Russell is pictured above with Joe Kenda. (Submitted photo)

 

You can enjoy great food and support an important organization on Monday, October 14. That’s when several area restaurants will donate a portion of their sales to Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties, or ADFAC, for Dine & Donate.

Participating Dine & Donate restaurants are Dean’s, Gallo Loco, Hoskins, Burchfield’s, Mediterranean Delight, Razzleberry’s, The Soup Kitchen, and Subway locations in Clinton, Oak Ridge (at 1968 Oak Ridge Turnpike), Oliver Springs, and Rocky Top.

October’s featured Dine & Donate supporter is Dean’s Restaurant & Bakery, which is located in Oak Ridge’s historic Jackson Square.

“Dean’s has been a favorite among locals for years,” said Jamie LaRose, ADFAC development director. “However, on October 9, viewers around the world got a little ‘taste’ of the restaurant’s hospitality and menu.” [Read more…]

ADFAC Dine and Donate, plus Photo Contest, on Monday

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Enjoy fantastic food, support an important nonprofit organization, and qualify for a $25 gift card—all at the same time—on Monday, August 12.

Several area restaurants are donating a portion of their sales to Aid To Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties, or ADFAC. Participating restaurants are Dean’s, Gallo Loco, Hoskins, Burchfield’s, Mediterranean Delight, Razzleberry’s, The Soup Kitchen, and Subway locations in Clinton, Oak Ridge (1968 Oak Ridge Turnpike), Oliver Springs, and Rocky Top, a press release said.

This month, in addition to enjoying a great meal and helping ADFAC at the same time, there’s an added bonus of a Photo Contest. ADFAC needs fresh, new photos to publicize its monthly Dine & Donate event, the press release said.

“You can help—and maybe even win!” the press release said.

Here’s how: [Read more…]

‘Secret is Out: Discover Oak Ridge’ activity book for sale with proceeds benefitting ADFAC

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Left to right, ADFAC Committee member Ray Smith is joined by Barbara Ferrell, The Ferrell Shop; Denise Parten, Southern Bliss; Annie Cacheiro, ADFAC executive director; Becky Hook, ADFAC school supply coordinator and activity book chair; and Jim Dodson, ADFAC board of directors and committee member. (Photo courtesy ADFAC)

Looking for a great summer activity for your family or perhaps visiting relatives? ADFAC (Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties) has the answer, a press release said.

“The Secret is Out: Discover Oak Ridge” is an activity book designed to present the history of Oak Ridge through pictures and activities for children ages 5-13, the press release said. Art work, poems, puzzles, and short stories created by students from Oak Ridge schools were submitted for publication. Area adult artists and photographers also donated their services to benefit ADFAC.

Developed in conjunction with ADFAC’s 30th anniversary and Oak Ridge’s 75th anniversary, “The Secret is Out: Discover Oak Ridge” gives a pictorial history of the city and includes organizations of interest to children. Graphic designer Ariana Rector created the cover, which highlights Oak Ridge’s historically significant accomplishments in a timeline from black and white to color, the press release said. She is also credited with illustrating many of the coloring pages and compiling the submitted works. [Read more…]