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.

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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.”

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Ober Gatlinburg Donates to Mountain Hope

by FundraisersNewsworthy

When local folks had fun at Ober Gatlinburg earlier this summer, it was good for Mountain Hope Good Shepherd Clinic.

The resort offered Sevier County Days to local residents and employees, who enjoyed the attraction and sampled what it had to offer while paying a discounted rate. Ober Gatlinburg and its owners, the Anders family, have generously donated the proceeds of this year’s Sevier County Days to the Clinic by presenting a check for $9,701.

“We appreciate the generosity of Ober Gatlinburg and the Anders family,” said Ashley Burnette, the Clinic’s director of fund development.  “This is a shining example of how local businesses can support us by raising funds.” Mountain Hope provides medical and dental care to people with no health insurance, many of whom work at local tourism businesses. In return, the business community has been generous with its support of the Clinic.

The Clinic charges patients much less than it costs to provide their care, and must raise the difference through grants, donations and fundraisers. “Local businesses are an important source of support for us,” Burnette said. “Not only do they raise cash for us, they also donate goods and services when appropriate. We are grateful to Ober and all our other business supporters.”

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More than 160 Benefit from Free Physical Exams

by EventsNewsworthyVolunteers

Many of the 161 people who received thorough health check-ups last week at Mountain Hope Good Shepherd Clinic had lost homes and jobs in the November wildfires.

Clinic staff members are doing everything they can to help fire victims with no health insurance get back on an even keel, providing free medical care and free medications whenever possible. In the meantime, we at the Clinic have maintained our routine of serving the 22,000 people on our active roll whenever the need arises.

The physical exams offered at the health fair Jan. 11 and 12 continue the twice-yearly routine that allows Sevier County’s uninsured to ensure they are in good shape, to discuss health issues and receive advice and practical solutions to problems free of charge.

Many of the 161 patients were new to the Clinic. They are now established patients who can make appointments to see our professional staff whenever the need arises.

Running a health fair for 161 patients takes cooperation and hard work from a variety of people. Mountain Hope operates its fair in partnership with students, preceptors and the staff of the James H. Quillen College of Medicine at East Tennessee State University. Students conduct examinations under the eye of their preceptors. Our thanks go to all the ETSU staff, students and preceptors who took part.

The Sevier County Health Department offered health education and immunizations, an invaluable service. Clinic volunteers conducted health screenings of various types and helped in other ways. Volunteers included Jennifer Baker, Karen Brackins, Jackie Burk, Connie Carden, Anna Garber, Nancy Hodges, Gintare Litton, Barbara McGill, Sandy Moersdorf, Carol Pierce-Burr, Michelle Reynoso, and David Wilson.

Cici’s Pizza provided lunch on both days for staff, volunteers, and patients. Golden Corral of Sevierville furnished dessert. Thanks to Melanie Benson of Cici’s and Amanda Barnes of Golden Corral for organizing these generous donations. Oak Tree Lodge generously provided overnight lodging for the ETSU contingent.

Dental hygiene kits from Delta Dental’s Smile 180 Program were also given to those who attended the event. We remain grateful for Smile 180’s commitment to dental health in Sevier County.

Our thanks go to everyone who donated time, effort, and goods to make this another highly successful health fair. We are a non-profit dedicated to providing quality medical and dental care to Sevier County residents and employees with no health insurance. We depend on the goodwill and cooperation of the whole community to ensure that everyone has access to affordable, top-notch primary health care.

Sincerely,

 

Ashley Burnette, Director of Development

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Mercedes-Benz of Knoxville donates to Clinic

by FundraisersNewsworthy

mercedes_edited-2Fire victims with no health insurance will benefit from a $3,200 donation that Mercedes-Benz of Knoxville has made to Mountain Hope Good Shepherd Clinic.

Mercedes-Benz of Knoxville donated $100 for every Mercedes vehicle sold on Friday, Dec. 16, said Carrie Dugan, Company Spokesperson for the locally owned dealership.  The Mercedes dealership also sold “Smoky Mountain Strong” T-shirts for $15. The two fundraising activities netted $3,200, and Dugan presented a check for that amount to Mary Vance, Mountain Hope’s executive director, on Jan. 3.

“Some of our employees were familiar with the Clinic and knew it was a good cause,” Dugan said. That is why the Clinic was chosen to receive fire relief funds from Mercedes-Benz.

“We’re grateful to the good folks at Mercedes-Benz of Knoxville for thinking of us this holiday season, and commend them for all the good they do year-round,” said Ashley Burnette, the Clinic’s director of fund development.

The non-profit Mountain Hope Good Shepherd Clinic has 22,000 patients on its active roll, none of whom have health insurance. Some Clinic patients lost everything in the wildfires the night of Nov. 28-29, including their medications for the next day. They did not have enough money to pay the small fee the clinic usually charges. Clinic staff continues to see them free of charge and to distribute donated medications when appropriate.