Oak Ridge Today

Letter: Fond memories of EVC prom, ‘An Evening with the Stars’

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To the Editor:

What a night May 11 was for over 100 individuals served through Emory Valley Center in its mission to enhance the lives of adults with intellectual and developmental disabilities!

Maggie and Andy Owen, supported by many volunteers, led the charge to hold EVC’s second Prom, “An Evening with the Stars.” This year’s theme was a Hawaiian Luau, with decorations, food, and personal photos all relating to a fun adventure for our individuals.

The Y-12 National Security Complex graciously donated New Hope Center for our individuals to enjoy this evening in a way they had never experienced. Donations to underwrite costs by local businesses and private sponsors were greatly appreciated to make the evening possible. We are so fortunate to have the dedication of the Owen’s family and their circle of volunteers to help the Center further its quest for person-centered activities for those we are dedicated to support. Feel free to visit our website, www.emoryvalleycenter.com, to relive that night with photos, which I know will bring a smile to your face.

Robin Biloski

Development Director

Emory Valley Center

Letter: EVC thanks city worker for help with signs

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To the Editor:

Emory Valley Center has been researching new signage for our campus in Oak Ridge. Before purchasing new signs, we asked for assistance from the City of Oak Ridge to learn all the specifics for sign regulations.

Monica Austin, Oak Ridge Community Development division manager, could not have been more helpful. She visited our campus with me, told me the proper signs we needed for safety for the many people that come and go in our busy buildings every day, and followed up with me with accurate drawings for placements. [Read more…]

UCOR makes second $20,000 donation to Emory Valley Center

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UCOR Donates to Emory Valley Center

Pictured above from left are Gene Caldwell, Jennifer Enderson, Leo Sain, and Dottie Thompson. (Submitted photo)

UCOR, the federal cleanup contractor in Oak Ridge, recently donated a second installment pledge of $20,000 to the Emory Valley Center, a press release said.

In 2010, UCOR pledged to Emory Valley Center fundraising co-chairs Gene Caldwell and Dottie Thompson that it would donate $100,000 during the next five years to help build a new center.

“We believe in the importance of the work done to help so many people at Emory Valley Center,” UCOR President Leo Sain said in the press release. [Read more…]

Flashing pedestrian signs could be installed at three crosswalks on Melton Lake Drive

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Melton Lake Drive Pedestrian Warning Signs

New solar-powered pedestrian warning signs could be installed at three crosswalks on Melton Lake Drive under a contract to be considered by Oak Ridge City Council on Monday. (Submitted photo)

Solar-powered pedestrian warning signs and new pavement markings could be installed at three crosswalks on Melton Lake Drive.

The crosswalk improvements are proposed at Amanda Drive, Emory Valley Road, and Rivers Run. They will be considered by Oak Ridge City Council on Monday night.

The Oak Ridge city staff has recommended awarding a roughly $38,000 contract to First Place Finish of Oak Ridge for the crosswalk work, which could start in April and be completed in four to six weeks. The bid was the lowest of four received, City Engineer Steven R. Byrd said in a memo to City Manager Mark S. Watson.

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Kiwanis meeting features EVC employment coordinator

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The Tuesday meeting of the Kiwanis Club of Oak Ridge will feature Norm Nelson of the Emory Valley Center.

Nelson, EVC supported employment coordinator, will discuss community workplace accommodations made at the center and in the community to allow agency clients to be employed.

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Guest column: Family donates van to Emory Valley Center

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Emory Valley Center Van Donation

Pictured above are, from left, David Samuels, Amy Long, and Robin Biloski. (Submitted photo)

The Samuels family of Oak Ridge opened up their hearts in a very big way to Emory Valley Center recently by donating a handicapped accessible van to the center. I had the opportunity to sit and talk to David Samuels, son of Garland and Marie Samuels, who donated the vehicle, and he provided me this great story.

“The van was bought by my dad for my mom, Marie, and used in her later years. We were all very familiar with the outreach of EVC, as my sister Jane was a former service recepient at EVC years ago. My mom advocated for those with intellectual disabilities; she served on the Board of ARC from the late 1980s through the early 1990s. In fact, she was chosen as the ARC Volunteer of the Year twice in the 1990s. Helping people who needed us most was just a part of our family culture growing up.

[Read more…]

Elks donate $1,500 to three local charities

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Pictured above are Gary Monday (Elks charity golf tournament committee member), Teresa Brittan (executive director for the Free Medical Clinic of Oak Ridge), and Joe Wilkenson (Elks charity golf tournament committee member). (Submitted photo)

Pictured above are Gary Monday (Elks charity golf tournament committee member), Teresa Brittan (executive director for the Free Medical Clinic of Oak Ridge), and Joe Wilkenson (Elks charity golf tournament committee member). (Submitted photos)

The Oak Ridge Chapter of the Benevolent and Protective Order of the Elks has donated $1,500 to three local charities, a press release said.

On Thursday, Jan. 24, members of the Elks Lodge annual charity golf tournament committee met with the directors of the Free Medical Clinic of Oak Ridge, and the Emory Valley Center, along with volunteer staff members at the Holiday Bureau, in order to present each of them with a $500 check, the release said.

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Emory Valley Center donates to United Way

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Emory Valley Center Donates to United Way

Pictured above from left to right are Georgia Brownfield and Heather Gann of Emory Valley Center, United Way chair Tom Hilton, and Robin Biloski of EVC. (Submitted photo)

Emory Valley Center recently presented a check for $16,320 to Tom Hilton from Y-12 Federal Credit Union, the 2012 United Way Chair.

“United Way is a generous donor to Emory Valley Center, and we as employees felt the best way to let the agency know of our appreciation was to contribute to the fund campaign,” said Heather Gann, EVC United Way Leader. “United Way of Anderson County is such a support system to so many agencies, and we are also a support system to adults and children with intellectual and developmental disabilities; it just seemed a natural fit.”

“We so much appreciate the donation of the many Emory Valley Center employees,” Hilton said. “We are pleased to assist agencies such as Emory Valley Center as they do so much for the community.”

Knights of Columbus donates to Emory Valley Center

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Knights Chapter Emory Valley Center Donation

The Emory Valley Center recently received a $477 donation from the M.R. Foundation of Tennessee Inc., a Tennessee Knights of Columbus Clinton Chapter charity. EVC President Jennifer Enderson accepted the donation from Michael Haka of the Knights of Columbus. (Submitted photo)

The Emory Valley Center in Oak Ridge recently received a $477 donation from Knights of Columbus Clinton Chapter.

The Emory Valley Center is in the middle of a fund-raising campaign to build a new facility next to its current offices on Emory Valley Road.

EVC President Jennifer Enderson accepted the recent donation from Michael Haka of the Knights of Columbus.

The money came from the M.R. Foundation of Tennessee Inc., Tennessee Knights of Columbus Clinton Chapter charity, a press release said.

AARP gives Emory Valley Center $1,000 on behalf of former lawmaker

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Former state Rep. Gene Caldwell earned $1,000 as one of three finalists for an AARP community service award, and he donated the money to the Emory Valley Center, a press release said.

The money will be used to help replace an Emory Valley Center building that will be demolished, the press release said. The center is raising money to replace the 55-year-old building, which serves intellectually and developmentally disabled children and adults in East Tennessee, and Caldwell is co-chairing the capital campaign.

Caldwell was one of three finalists for the 2012 AARP Tennessee Andrus Award for Community Service, which earned him $1,000 for the charity of his choice, the press release said.

“This is about leaving a legacy for our most vulnerable citizens, many of whom were my patients,” said Caldwell, who is also a retired pediatrician. “To see them find identities, friendships, and meaningful work changes their outlook and behavior—and it lifts a tremendous burden from the hearts of their parents.”

Tennessee Rep. John Ragan, an Oak Ridge Republican, nominated Caldwell for the award, saying he “has been a tireless advocate for children, seniors and the disabled, and has contributed immeasurably to his community.”

Emory Valley Center President Jennifer Enderson said the AARP recognition was well-deserved.

“Emory Valley Center is so thankful for all that Dr. Caldwell has done on behalf of the center,” she said. “He is truly amazing.”

The press release said this is the second year that AARP has given money to charities chosen by the top three Andrus award finalists. Caldwell was among more than 30 people from across the state nominated for the award.

“As someone who has known Dr. Caldwell for years and has seen the work he has done for his community and this state, it was an honor to recognize him for his commitment and passion for helping others,” said AARP Tennessee Communications Director Karin Miller, who presented the check on Friday.

Anyone wishing to donate to the EVC Capital Campaign may mail a contribution to P.O. Box 5328, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, or go online to www.emoryvalleycenter.com.

Emory Valley Center accepts business, organization donations

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Emory Valley Center Civitan Club Donation

Pictured are Emory Valley Center Day Workshop employees and, in front row second from left, Emory Valley Center Development Director Robin Biloski, Capital Campaign Co-Chair Gene Caldwell, Civitan Club Past President John Seiber, and Clinton Civitan Chapter Treasurer Susan Miller. (Submitted photos)

The Emory Valley Center recently accepted donations from AT&T and the Civitan Club of Clinton.

The Civitan Club’s donation was the final pledge to the Emory Valley Center’s Capital Campaign, a fundraising drive to raise money for a new building on Emory Valley Road, a press release said.

“One of our major emphases in our organization is to be there to assist adults and children with developmental and intellectual disabilities, and EVC is a perfect partner for us here in Anderson County,” said John Seiber, Civitan past president. “We are so pleased to assist in the campaign to raise funds for the new center.”

The center’s capital campaign is about two-thirds of the way to its goal.

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Emory Valley Center fundraiser features rock band Jada Blade

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Jada Blade

Popular local rock band Jada Blade will play at a Friday fundraiser for Emory Valley Center. (Photo courtesy of Jada Blade)

Jada Blade, a popular local band that plays original music and classic rock songs, will help raise money for the Emory Valley Center during a Friday fundraiser at the Grove Theater

The “Rock-A-Moolah” fundraiser starts at 7 p.m. Friday, Oct. 19, at the Historic Grove Theater in Oak Ridge. It’s a benefit for the Emory Valley Center Capital Campaign.

The Emory Valley Center serves 140 mentally, physically, and emotionally disabled (autistic) adults and about 450 developmentally delayed toddlers and children in 13 East Tennessee counties, a press release said. They are losing their home at the former Daniel Arthur Rehabilitation Center on Emory Valley Road, which has housed their programs for more than 50 years, the release said.

Plans are under way to build a new Center on the opposite side of Emory Valley Road.

“Many of these clients have been at the Emory Valley Center or at Daniel Arthur Rehabilitation Center most of their lives and are dependent on the Center for their entire support,” the press release said. “It serves the most vulnerable members of society who cannot help themselves.”

Gene Caldwell, co-chair of the Capital Campaign, said the campaign is almost two-thirds of the way to its fundraising goal.

“The area communities of Oak Ridge, Anderson County, and Knox County have given us tremendous support,” Caldwell said. “’Rock-A-Moolah’ will give us new energy to keep us headed to the top. So we want to invite everyone to come support the new Center and have a fabulous night of rock ‘n’ roll with Jada Blade.”

The press release said Jada Blade plays crowd-pleasing rock music ranging from Adele and Lady Gaga to Ozzy Osbourne and Halestorm. The band includes vocalist Leslie England, guitarist Bruce England, drummer Kenny Smith, and bass player Jim Johnston.

Tickets for “Rock-A-Moolah” can be purchased in advance for $20 or at the door for $25. Tickets can be purchased at TNBank in Oak Ridge or online at www.emoryvalleycenter.com.

Doors open at 6 p.m. Friday, and a cash bar will be available throughout the evening.