People Make It Happen

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You can make a difference by sharing your time, talent and treasure. Without volunteers, our local non-profit agencies would never be able to fulfill their mission. We recognize needs of community non-profit agencies and strive to help meet these needs through promoting volunteerism. Kingsport is often called the Volunteer City in the Volunteer State. United Way of Greater Kingsport brings people together to address community problems, to achieve results and to make Kingsport�stronger and better. We partner with community agencies and organizations for efficient use of community resources. Get involved. Call your local non-profit agency today!	Volunteers Truly Make a Difference!   Contact VOLUNTEER!      Kingsport Lifesaving Crew
American Red Cross volunteer opportunities include disaster responders, clerical support and instructors More Volunteer Opportunities	VOLUNTEER! brings people together to address community problems, to achieve results, and to make Kingsport stronger and better. Strategy Promote volunteerism Connect people with opportunities to serve Build capacity for effective volunteering Participate in strategic initiatives that mobilize  volunteers to meet local community needs      We partner with community agencies and organization for efficient use of community resources
Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast United Way of Greater Kingsport and Piccadilly Cafeteria recognizes the community's outstanding volunteers by sponsoring the Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast.   It is hosted each year in April during National Volunteer Week to honor volunteers from the greater Kingsport area. More than 115 volunteers were honored this year during the Volunteer Appreciation Breakfast.	United Way Agency  Community Tours      United Way of Greater Kingsport coordinates tours of United Way member agencies to promote knowledge and awareness of their services, funding and volunteer needs.

Volunteers Become Friends to Clients

The Shepherd Center has made it possible for Grace Gray to continue to live on her own, despite the fact that the 87-year-old no longer drives due to a medical condition. Gray moved to Kingsport in 1995 to be close to her children and their families. Two years after moving here in April 1997, Grace suffered a heart attack and has continued to deal with cardiac health issues since then. Fortunately, Gray's daughter-in-law learned about Shepherd Center. "They are the most wonderful, loving people to give of their time," Gray said. The Shepherd Center volunteers take clients to medical appointments, grocery shopping, and on other errands. Volunteers and staff also assist clients with getting medical equipment, such as hospital beds, crutches, and wheelchairs. "We have the best volunteers," said Katherine Scoggins, Executive Director of The Shepherd Center. While the volunteers often start by fulfilling a responsibility, they quickly move to establishing relationships with the Shepherd Center clients. Those relationships often evolve into friendships. Volunteers and clients share common interests, such as involvement in social activities. One of those events is The Shepherd Center's annual fund-raising dance with the Has Beens big band. Through Shepherd Center volunteers and United Way funding, clients like Grace Gray can remain independent and stay in their own homes longer, connected to their communities, and able to LIVE UNITED.

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