Attendees of the Titanic Event, photographed by Angie Carriere.

Gala at Sea is a Titanic Success

by EventsFundraisersNews You Can UseNewsworthyVolunteers

The Roaring Twenties came to life again July 15 at the Titanic Museum in Pigeon Forge as guests enjoyed the glittering Gala at Sea, a fundraiser for Mountain Hope Good Shepherd Clinic.

Guests, many of whom got into the spirit of the evening by wearing 1920s dress, were treated to a wonderful meal in the elegant Secret Dining Room. A violinist serenaded them at their tables as they ate. A duo provided music throughout the evening and for dancing.

Auction items were varied, to say the least. They included a three-night stay at the Greenbrier Hotel in White Sulphur Springs, WVa; a flight in a biplane to be followed by dinner on the Gatlinburg-Pigeon Forge  Airport terrace; three chairs from the newly refurbished Gatlinburg Skylift, and many other items.

Dr. Doug Guyot spoke about the Clinic’s work. Guests were given beautiful 8 x 10” portraits as mementos. To complete the evening, they took up a toast on the Grand Staircase.

Mountain Hope is especially grateful to Titanic Museum owner Mary Kellogg-Joslyn and to Christopher Massie, who hosted and coordinated the event. Titanic staff Tracy, violinist Officer Bill, Debbie and Ryan made invaluable contributions to the evening’s success. Jon Hamer and Samuel Adams provided music throughout the event.

The Clinic’s thanks also go to the Bullfish Grill for the meal; auctioneer Dale Carr; to photography sponsors Aimee and Jeremy Williams of Sensible Concrete and Team 22 Studios; Eric Bradley of the Navigator; and volunteers Christie Balog, Judy Ann Ellison, Estefany Fernandez, Savannah Fuller and Lucy Fredriksen.

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The Clinic also thanks the sponsors for this event; the following people and businesses supplied auction items for the Gala at Sea:

Alcatraz East, Big Creek Expeditions, Collier Restaurant Group, Country Tonite Theater, Gatlinburg-Pigeon Forge Airport, the Gatlinburg Sky Lift, Will Godzson of Inov8 Studios, Gepetto’s Italian Restaurant, Greenbrier Resort, Marc Hightower of Sky High Air Tours, Stephen Leach and Barry Phillips, Woods Hippensteal, Ripley’s Attractions, the Spa at Riverstone, Southeastern Dermatology, Smoky Creek Cabin Rentals, Smoky Mountain Outdoors, and Team 22 Studios.

Other sponsors included Brandywine Creek Vineyard, Mill Bridge Winery, Ole Smoky Moonshine, Sevier Glam, and Smoky Mountain Harley Davidson.

IntimidatorTN_new_full

NASCAR Speedpark to Round Up for Mountain Hope

by FundraisersNews You Can UseNewsworthy

During the months of August and September, the NASCAR Speedpark in Sevierville will once again work to benefit Mountain Hope Good Shepherd Clinic.

NASCAR Speedpark employees will ask visitors to the Sevierville attraction if they wish to add $1 to the price of admission to be donated to Mountain Hope.

A display near the admissions area will inform visitors about the Clinic and its mission, and NASCAR Speedpark employees can answer many questions about Mountain Hope and its work in the community.

The round-up program is sponsored by the Parc Foundation, the charitable arm of NASCAR Speedpark Smoky Mountains. Its mission is to strengthen children and communities by supporting organizations that relate to the mission while positively impacting the local community.

“We are excited about the partnership between the Speedpark and the Clinic,” said Ashley Burnette, director of fund development for the Clinic. “Not only will this activity raise funds for us, it will also increase our visibility in the community. We are so grateful for this opportunity.”

paper bag with groceries

August is Time to Renew Kroger Rewards

by FundraisersNews You Can Use
Use your Kroger Plus Card to benefit Mountain Hope Good Shepherd Clinic
Use your Kroger Plus Card to benefit Mountain Hope Good Shepherd Clinic!

If you like to go Krogering, you probably know that a Kroger reward card can save you lots of money on groceries. Did you also know that every time you use your Kroger card, Mountain Hope Good Shepherd Clinic can also benefit?

Kroger sends out checks to many non-profits, including the Clinic, when customers have signed up to support their favorite charity. If you are already supporting us by using your Kroger card, here’s a reminder: August is the month to renew your support. Simply go on line to Kroger.com, sign in and renew your Clinic sponsorship for another year.

If don’t already do so, but would like to support us whenever you use your Kroger card, you will need to create an account at Kroger.com. It’s easy. Click on “register” and follow the steps given. You will see an alphabetical list of non-profits; scroll down to Mountain Hope Good Shepherd Clinic, click on it, and you’re done. You won’t even have to think about your donation for a year — but the Clinic will benefit whenever you buy groceries.

Close-up of a young woman using asthma inhaler in the park

Learn to Handle Asthma

by News You Can Use

asthma

Cat fur, changing weather, cigarette smoke or even running up a flight of steps can be bad for your health if you suffer from asthma.

Many things can trigger asthma, causing the airways in your lungs to become narrow and inflamed.  It pays to know your triggers, says Physician’s Assistant  Jason Brackins of Mountain Hope Good Shepherd Clinic.

Asthma attacks can vary from mild or deadly.  Asthma may run in your family. You may be susceptible to triggers such as pollen, dust mites, furry animals, exercise, changes in temperature and weather, or even getting sick with a cold or the flu.  “That’s one of the reasons why you need to get an annual flu shot,” Jason says.

Asthma makes breathing difficult. Symptoms may include wheezing, a tight feeling in the chest and coughing, especially at night, in the early morning or during exercise.  These symptoms can range from mild to severe.

If you suspect you have asthma, your doctor may test your breathing. That test is available at Mountain Hope, Jason says.

Asthma is treated with different types of medicines: inhalers and pills primarily. Your doctor will prescribe medicine based on your symptoms. Asthma medicines work in one of two ways:

  • Quick-relief medicines stop symptoms quickly. These medicines should only be used once in a while. If you regularly need these medicines more than twice a week, tell your provider. Albuterol inhalers are an example of quick-relief treatment.
  • Long-term controller medicines control asthma and prevent future symptoms. If you have frequent symptoms or several severe episodes in a year, you might need to take these each day. Corticosteroid inhalers are an example of long-term controls.

“It is very important that you take all the medicines the provider prescribes,” Jason said. It may seem like a lot of medication, but asthma that is not treated with the right medicines can stop you leading a normal life, including working and exercising, and may even damage your lungs permanently.

Taking your medication daily can help you avoid symptoms of asthma. And of course, try to stay away from your triggers. “If you don’t know what they are, your doctor can help figure it out,” Jason said.

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Eye Exam 1

Lions offer second opportunity for eye exams and glasses for fire victims

by EventsFire ReliefNews You Can Use

Female optician examining senior patient's vision with phoropter

People displaced by the Sevier County wildfires at the end of November have another opportunity for a free eye exam and free eyeglasses, thanks to Smoky Mountain Lions Charities.  Because of the extraordinary amount of interest during a similar event held January 28, 2017 at the Boyd’s Bear facility in Pigeon Forge, organizers have decided to repeat the process.  Fire victims that responded to the January clinic were the recipients of 63 eye exams and 59 pairs of glasses.

The charities’ mobile vision lab will be set up on Saturday, March 11 at First Baptist Church of Gatlinburg where fully trained eye care professionals will conduct eye tests between 9 a.m. and 1 p.m. They will draw up new prescriptions and conduct thorough tests including those for glaucoma.  Eyeglasses based on the new prescriptions will be distributed about two weeks later, at times to be set up with patients on March 11.

It will take an estimated 45 minutes to an hour for patients to undergo testing and to choose new frames. No reservations are required, but would be preferred so that patients can be contacted should there be a change of venue or schedule. Please call Jim at 865-556-9091 for an appointment or more information.

First Baptist Church of Gatlinburg is located at 111 Oglewood Lane in Gatlinburg, TN off of Highway 321.

“We’re extremely happy that Smoky Mountain Lions Charities is choosing to provide this service yet again to victims of Sevier County’s fires,” said Mary Vance, executive director of Mountain Hope Good Shepherd Clinic, which provides medical and dental care to Sevier County residents who lack health insurance.