Oak Ridge Today

Interfaith Harmony events on Friday, Saturday

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

On Friday, February 15, from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. the Jewish Congregation of Oak Ridge at 101 West Madison Lane invites the public to a joyful and spirited Friday evening service to welcome Shabbat, a press release said. All ages, including children, can enjoy a lively service with singing and dancing. A community potluck dinner immediately follows with vegetarian/dairy-only dishes and no meat.

On Saturday, February 16, from 9 a.m. to 12 p.m. the Ecumenical Storehouse located at 134 East Division Road needs “trucks and muscles” to assist in picking up donated items. This assistance from community volunteers is an ongoing need for Saturday mornings.

On Saturday, February 16, the Scarboro Community Center invites everyone to join together and break bread to celebrate Black History Month. There will be a free chili luncheon from 11:30 a.m. to 2 p.m. at the Scarboro Community Center at 148 Carver Avenue. At 4 p.m. the play “Oh Freedom” will be presented at Oak Valley Baptist Church at 194 Hampton Road. [Read more…]

Local bands benefiting charities tonight, Saturday

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

The Teno Family Band is one of the many performing groups to provide entertainment at the Turning Wheel Revue on Friday evening, May 25, 2018, at Swifty’s Atomic Bar & Grill, and Saturday evening, May 26, at the Historic Grove Theater. (Submitted photo)

The Teno Family Band is one of the many performing groups to provide entertainment at the Turning Wheel Revue on Friday evening, May 25, 2018, at Swifty’s Atomic Bar & Grill, and Saturday evening, May 26, at the Historic Grove Theater. (Submitted photo)

 

“Local musicians benefiting local charities.”

That’s the tagline for the Turning Wheel Revue, a fundraiser to be held Friday, May 25, and Saturday, May 26, in Oak Ridge.

The Friday event will be held from 7 to 11 p.m. at Swifty’s Atomic Bar & Grill (119 South Illinois Avenue), and the Saturday fundraiser will take place from 6 to 10 p.m. at the Historic Grove Theater (123 Randolph Road).

The bands that will trigger toe-tapping on Friday evening will be The Lewis Brothers (Robbie & James), The Ryan Meeker Band, $teve, The Thrips, The Unnamed, and special guests.

Turning to the Saturday evening event, attendees will hear Jeremiah Johnson & Jackson Coleman, Joey Shackleford, Kasey Moore, Samantha Mason & Marian Vacaluic, Sarah Joyal, (Rick) Payson Lyon, The Teno Family Band, Tim & Jodi Harbin, The Young Band, Nothing Band, and special guests.

The 13 local nonprofit service organizations that will benefit from your presence are: [Read more…]

Give the gift of hope through financial donations to Ecumenical Storehouse

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Your end-of-the-year financial donation can help make a big difference for Ecumenical Storehouse, the organization that is best known for seeking donations of household items for distribution to people in need, a press release said.

But what many don’t know is that financial contributions are always greatly appreciated by the nonprofit, all-volunteer organization to help pay for operating expenses and for scarce items particularly in need, such as heaters and blankets, during cold weather.

Many of the clients served are from among the vast number of Appalachian poor in the area; others have lost everything in a fire or natural disaster; still others were formally in abusive situations and need emergency assistance to establish a new home, the press release said. Clients are referred to Ecumenical Storehouse by various social service agencies and churches. [Read more…]

Pancake Breakfast fundraiser on Saturday to support local humanitarian programs

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Pictured above is recent community mission work by members of First United Methodist Church. (Submitted photo)

Pictured above is recent community mission work by members of First United Methodist Church. (Submitted photo)

 

The First United Methodist Church Oak Ridge Adult Missions Ministry will sponsor a fundraising Pancake Breakfast at Applebee’s Restaurant on Saturday morning.

The church’s Missions Ministry supports many local humanitarian programs such as ADFAC, TORCH, Family Resource Center at Oak Ridge Schools, Ecumenical Storehouse, Free Medical Clinic, Girls Inc., Agape House, Tabitha’s Table, and Second Harvest “Food For Kids,” a press release said.

The Pancake Breakfast is scheduled from Saturday, December 9, from 8-10 a.m. [Read more…]

‘Everything Chocolate’ evening on April 29 supports Agape House of Oak Ridge

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

A chocolate fountain coats fruit and marshmallows in sweet chocolate.

A chocolate fountain coats fruit and marshmallows in sweet chocolate.

 

Sample chocolate desserts, savor the flavors, and support Agape House of Oak Ridge at its third annual “An Evening of Everything Chocolate” on Saturday, April 29.

The event will feature tables filled with chocolate culinary temptations from 6:30-8:30 p.m. in the Social Hall of Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church at 809 Oak Ridge Turnpike, a press release said. Guests will indulge in fudge, chocolate-covered potato chips and popcorn, truffles, chocolate-dipped fruit, brownies, and other special treats, including fresh baked-on-site chocolate chip cookies. Coffee, sipping chocolate, and water will also be served.

All proceeds will go to the direct support of Agape House, a nonprofit organization that provides transitional housing for the homeless, the press release said. Since opening in 2014, Agape House has helped 36 homeless families or individuals with short-term, temporary housing, and other support services as they work with agencies to gain self-sufficiency.

“Because of support from the community, 36 families have had their lives positively changed and are now on a path to self-sufficiency, with positive future stories to tell,” said Michael McCutcheon, director of Agape House of Oak Ridge. [Read more…]

Give the gift of hope through financial donations to Ecumenical Storehouse

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Your end-of-the-year financial donation can help make a big difference for Ecumenical Storehouse, an organization that is best known for seeking donations of household items for distribution to people in need.

But what many don’t know is that financial contributions are always greatly appreciated by the nonprofit, volunteer organization to help pay for scarce items in high demand, such as heaters and blankets during cold weather and for help with operating expenses.

Many of the clients served are from among the vast number of Appalachian poor in the area. Others have lost everything in a fire or natural disaster. Still others were formally in abusive situations and need emergency assistance to establish a new home. Clients are referred to Ecumenical Storehouse by various social service agencies and churches. [Read more…]

Agape House, which helps homeless, hosts Chocolate Evening May 7

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Morgan Anderson at An Evening of Everything Chocolate

Morgan Anderson dips fruit and marshmallows in a chocolate fountain at last year’s first “An Evening of Everything Chocolate.” (Submitted photo)

 

Tasting a variety of chocolate desserts will be a special treat during “An Evening of Everything Chocolate” on Saturday, May 7, in support of Agape House of Oak Ridge.

The Mother’s Day weekend event will feature tables filled with chocolate culinary temptations in the Social Hall of Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church, 809 Oak Ridge Turnpike. The second annual “An Evening of Everything Chocolate” will be from 6:30-8:30 p.m. Truffles, fudge, cookies, brownies, and other treats will satisfy any sweet tooth, with coffee, sipping chocolate, and water also being served.

All proceeds will go to the direct support of Agape House, a nonprofit organization that provides transitional housing for the homeless. Since opening in 2014, Agape House has helped 20 homeless families or individuals with short-term, temporary housing, and other support services as they work with agencies to take steps toward self-sufficiency.

Agape House is an all-volunteer agency, and a significant portion of its budget is raised through this fundraising event. [Read more…]

Letter: Church Women United thanks all who contributed to Blankets+ campaign

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

To the Editor:

Church Women United in the Oak Ridge area thanks and blesses the many people in our community who contributed to our 2015 Blankets+ campaign this spring.

Foremost, we are thankful for the donations of many women from diverse church traditions—including AME Zion, Baptist, Catholic, Episcopal, God in Christ, interdenominational, Lutheran, Methodist, Presbyterian, and Unitarian—who respond to CWU’s calling to celebrate unity in diversity and to pray and work for a just, peaceful, and caring society.

In addition, we are thankful for Blankets+ contributions from members of Calvary Baptist Church, First Presbyterian Church, First United Methodist Church, Kern Memorial Methodist Church, Solway United Methodist Church, St. Stephen’s Episcopal Church, and United Church, Chapel on the Hill. [Read more…]

Chocolate Evening will benefit Agape House on May 9

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

Chocolate Desserts

Truffles, fudge, brownies, cake, and plenty of chocolate tastes to satisfy a sweet tooth will be offered at “An Evening of Everything Chocolate” on Saturday, May 9, in support of Agape House of Oak Ridge.

The evening, from 6:30-9 p.m. at the Oak Ridge Unitarian Universalist Church will feature 10 tasting stations with a variety of chocolate culinary temptations, along with coffee and tea to wash them down.

Bakers and candy makers are invited to bring their best creations to the evening’s baking contest. For an entry fee of $10, bakers may enter any dessert containing chocolate, with celebrity judges tasting the entries and awarding a gold medal to the winning dessert. The dessert should contain eight servings. Contest judges will be caterer Judy Dodd, Oak Ridge City Council member Rick Chinn, and Oak Ridge School Board Chairman Keys Fillauer. [Read more…]

Church Women United seeks support in Blankets+ Campaign

Posted at
By Leave a Comment

CWU 2015 Blankets+ Campaign

Church Women United participants Fay Martin (from left), Gay Marie Logsdon, Clara Chambles, Carolyn Mayes, Goldie Kennedy, and Laura Robbins encourage individuals, organizations, and churches to collect blankets and donations in support of the 2015 Blankets+ Campaign. (Submitted photo)

 

Church Women United in Oak Ridge invites area individuals, organizations, and church groups to join its spring 2015 Blankets+ Campaign benefiting disaster victims locally and worldwide. People are asked to support the campaign in two ways: by collecting bedding for Ecumenical Storehouse in Oak Ridge and by collecting cash donations for CWU to send to the Blankets+ Program managed by Church World Services.

Ecumenical Storehouse serves displaced individuals and families from Anderson, Campbell, Morgan, Roane, and Scott counties who have lost their homes because of fire, flood, or other emergencies and have been referred to the storehouse for support in setting up a new household. The storehouse offers basics such as bedding, towels, dishes, and furniture regardless of the client’s color, race, faith, gender, or handicap. Ecumenical Storehouse is located at 134 East Division Road in Oak Ridge and can be contacted at (865) 481-0274. [Read more…]