Oak Ridge Today

ORHS Reunion supports Emory Valley Center Campaign

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ORHS Class of 1964 EVC Check Presentation

First row, from left to right, are Cathy Thompson, Dottie Thompson, ORHS Class of 1964 Reunion Chairman Tommy McIntyre presenting the final check to EVC President Jennifer Enderson, Mary Kahaida Lowery, and EVC Development Director Janet Wood. Second row, from left to right, are Gene Caldwell, Janice Pugh Craft, Michele Craft, Glenda Carringer Langenberg, Judy McGown Russell, Reverend Robert “Bob” Cantrell, and Phillip Boatner. (Submitted photo)

 

Last September’s 50th Reunion for Oak Ridge High School Class of 1964 was typical in many respects. Somewhat unusual was the class commitment to a reunion service project. Before, during, and after the Reunion, class members contributed financial support to the Emory Valley Center Capital Campaign.

On February 2, Reunion Committee Chairman Tommy McIntyre and several Committee members presented $550 to Emory Valley Center President Jennifer Enderson as the final class campaign contribution for this reunion year. The check brought the total contribution to $8,190.

Representing the Center with Enderson were Cathy Thompson, Phillip Boatner, and Michele Craft, who receive support from the Center; Boatner’s Caregiver Kathy Bunch; EVC staff members Janet Wood and Daisy Mullins; and Campaign Co-Chairs Gene Caldwell and Dottie Thompson. [Read more…]

Pancake breakfast fundraiser June 14 for Emory Valley Center

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Emory Valley Center Early Learning Center

The Emory Valley Center on Emory Valley Road is pictured above. (File photo)

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On your way to the Secret City Festival on Saturday, June 14, stop and enjoy a delicious pancake breakfast at Applebee’s in Oak Ridge and also support Emory Valley Center. Proceeds will benefit the ongoing capital campaign for a new building to better serve children and adults with disabilities.

Breakfast will be served from 8–10 a.m. and will include hot-off-the-griddle pancakes and sausage as well as a variety of beverages. Tickets are only $5 each (children under three eat free), and they are currently on sale at Emory Valley Center at 715 Emory Valley Road. Those who attend may also pay at the door the morning of the fundraiser.

Local Emory Valley Center “Celebrity Supporters” planning to help staff greet and serve pancakes include Tennessee Sen. Randy McNally, Rep. John Ragan, Oak Ridge Mayor Tom Beehan, Dottie Thompson, and Gene Caldwell (Emory Valley Center capital campaign co-chairs), Bear Stephenson of Stephenson Real Estate and Auction, Anderson County Chamber Board President Terry Payne, and David Erb of Allstate in Clinton. [Read more…]

B&W Y-12 donates $75,000 for new Emory Valley Center building

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Emory Valley Center Early Learning Center

B&W Y-12 donated $75,000 to Emory Valley Center on Wednesday as part of a capital campaign to help build a new facility to replace the former Daniel Arthur Rehabilitation Center on Emory Valley Road by 2015.

Fundraisers at 75 percent of goal

B&W Y-12 donated $75,000 on Wednesday to help the Emory Valley Center build a new facility by early 2015, when a county-owned building that houses some of its programs is expected to be torn down.

B&W Y-12 has now donated $175,000 of a $250,000 pledge, and EVC volunteers have raised $2.5 million of their $3.3 million goal, said former state representative and pediatrician Gene Caldwell, who is co-chair of the EVC capital campaign. That’s 75 percent of the fundraising goal.

Emory Valley Center now has two facilities across the street from each other on Emory Valley Road. The new 30,000-square-foot building west of the current administrative and workshop areas on the south side side of Emory Valley Road would consolidate the nonprofit’s operations, which include an Early Learning Center, gym, offices, kitchen, and work training center.

“This is a huge, huge help,” EVC President Jennifer Enderson of the B&W Y-12 donation. “The clock is ticking on when we must vacate an existing facility, and we can’t start construction of the new one until we have raised enough money.” [Read more…]

USEC donates to Emory Valley Center campaign

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USEC Donates to Emory Valley Center

Pictured above from left to right are Robin Biloski, Emory Valley Center development director; Dottie Thompson and Gene Caldwell, co-chairs of the EVC Capital Campaign; and Bob Eby of USEC Inc. (Submitted photo)

Emory Valley Center recently received a donation from USEC for its capital campaign to build a new facility on Emory Valley Road, a press release said.

“Emory Valley Center has always been such a vital part of our community in helping so many adults and children in our region,” said Bob Eby, director of Centrifuge Technology and Process Engineering of USEC in Oak Ridge. “All of us at USEC are so happy to play a part in providing a new center for the many who receive their services.” [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…]

Reader pic: Breakfast Rotary donates to Emory Valley Center

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Breakfast Rotary Donates to Emory Valley Center

The Oak Ridge Breakfast Rotary Club makes a donation to the Emory Valley Center Capital Campaign. Pictured from left to right are Pete Peterson, ORBRC president; Rotarian Gene Caldwell and Dottie Thompson, campaign co-chairs; and Rotarian Dub Shults. (Submitted photo)

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The Oak Ridge Breakfast Rotary Club recently made a donation to the Emory Valley Center Capital Campaign.

The capital campaign is raising money to help replace an Emory Valley Center building on Emory Valley Road. The center is raising money to replace the 55-year-old building, which will be demolished.

The Emory Valley Center serves intellectually and developmentally disabled children and adults in East Tennessee.

Gene Caldwell and Dottie Thompson are co-chairing the capital campaign. Anyone wishing to donate may do so by mailing a contribution to P.O. Box 5328, Oak Ridge, TN 37831, or by going online to www.emoryvalleycenter.com.

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 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.

Emory Valley Center receives $500,000 ARC grant award for new building

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Emory Valley Center Appalachian Regional Commission Grant

Local, state, and federal officials have supported a $500,000 Appalachian Regional Commission grant for a new building for the Emory Valley Center in Oak Ridge. (Submitted photo)

A $500,000 grant from the Appalachian Regional Commission will help the Emory Valley Center build a new facility, a press release said.

The new building will be constructed next to the EVC’s current administration office on Emory Valley Road in Oak Ridge.

The funding for the first phase of the project includes design and architectural fees as well as some initial construction costs, the press release said. Site work will include grading, tree and stump removal, fencing, and environmental protections such as settling basins.

The initial infrastructure work includes installation of underground utilities such as water, sewer, electrical, and telecommunication lines, the press release said.

[Read more…]