Oak Ridge Today

Remembered as a model community volunteer, Myrick died Sunday

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Tim and Teresa Myrick with ADFAC Bow Tie Award

Tim Myrick, left, received the 2014 Bill Wilcox Bow Tie Award from ADFAC on Oct. 30. Pictured with Myrick at Y-12’s New Hope Center is his wife Teresa. (Photo courtesy ADFAC)

Note: This story was last updated at 3:30 p.m.

Tim Myrick, one of the area’s most active community volunteers, died Sunday morning. He was at home with his wife Teresa by his side.

Friends are remembering him as a model community leader and volunteer. Myrick, who had been battling prostate cancer, had provided decades of service to the church and to Aid to Distressed Families of Appalachian Counties, or ADFAC, as well as to Habitat for Humanity of Anderson County. He played a key role in the renovation of Oak Ridge High School and modernization work at Oak Ridge National Laboratory. In 2012, he and Teresa pledged $25,000 to the Oak Ridge Public Schools Education Foundation’s “Making the Critical Difference” campaign for grants and scholarships.

“We sure lost a strong advocate for our community,” said friend D. Ray Smith, who serves on both the ADFAC and Habitat for Humanity boards. [Read more…]

Guest column: A heartwarming holiday story from CASA

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As we reach the end of 2013, we look back at the stories of the children CASA has worked with and want to celebrate one of those with our community. This year, more than 230 children had a CASA volunteer advocate, children like Keisha and Dakota (names changed to protect privacy).

When CASA first met Keisha and her brother Dakota, they came into court as a scared three-year-old and hardened, angry eight-year-old. They had been brought into custody on and off their entire lives, being raised by a single mother who had been arrested for prostitution multiple times.

This time, in May, they were permanently removed when their mom passed out from a fatal dose of drugs and alcohol. Keisha was inconsolable; her brother would speak to no one and stopped anyone from approaching his sister.

They were assigned a CASA volunteer, Katy, who sat at the end of the bench in the court room. As the people all around them were talking, Katy took care to explain what was happening to Keisha and Dakota. Katy explained to them who she was, that she cared about them deeply and wanted to make sure they found a safe home. [Read more…]

CASA celebrates 25th anniversary

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CASA 25th Anniversary

Tennessee Sen. Randy McNally, left, and Naomi Asher, CASA executive director, during a 25th anniversary celebration in May. (Submitted photo)

CASA of the Tennessee Heartland celebrated its 25th anniversary in May by giving out cupcakes at the Oak Ridge Chamber of Commerce and hosting an awards banquet at the Riverside Grille.

CASA stands for Court Appointed Special Advocates and has served as an advocate for more than 270 children since July 1, 2012, in Anderson, Blount, and Scott counties, a press release said.

All the volunteers were acknowledged for their hours of service, including Horace Friedman, who has served since the inaugural class in 1988. Horace received a lifetime of achievement award, the press release said. [Read more…]

Anderson County child advocate named CASA Volunteer of the Year

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Dale Hedges CASA Volunteer of the Year

Dale Hedges, center, was named the 2013 CASA Volunteer of the Year for his work with work with CASA of the Tennessee Heartland. Also pictured from left are Kevin Balkwill, Katrina Atchley, Kathryn Hedges, Ashley Bryant-Cheney, and Naomi Asher. (Submitted photo)

Dale Hedges of Clinton has been named the 2013 CASA Volunteer of the Year by the Tennessee Bar Association Young Lawyers Division. The award recognizes Hedges’ 18 years of service as a volunteer for CASA of the Tennessee Heartland, which serves children in Anderson, Blount, and Scott counties.

Knoxville lawyer Katrina Atchley Arbogast, chair of the YLD Children’s Issues Committee, presented the award to Hedges at a dinner in Nashville on Jan. 18. A cash gift also was presented to Naomi Asher, executive director of CASA of the Tennessee Heartland, to benefit the agency’s work.

Hedges was selected as this year’s recipient for his longtime service, effective advocacy and consistent commitment. According to Asher, who submitted the nomination, Hedges is the agency’s longest serving volunteer and has represented 29 children in 19 cases during his tenure at CASA.

[Read more…]

Column: Chamber announces Christmas parade winners, thanks volunteeers

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Beautiful weather and mild temperatures helped to make the Saturday, Dec. 8, Christmas parade a success. Approximately 100 entries participated in the parade.

Judges awarded six awards after the parade:

[Read more…]