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Monroeville Plays Concert to Benefit Mountain Hope Patients

by EventsFriends of Mountain HopeFundraisersJust for FunVolunteers

On Friday, April 24, in the midst of the COVID-19 Crisis, Mountain Hope Good Shepherd Clinic was blessed to be the beneficiary of a concert by local band Monroeville. A talented rock alternative bluegrass group well-known throughout East Tennessee, the band is fronted by Grammy-nominated Matt Munsey and his wife Brittany; the ensemble also features McCoy Borg, Chevy Watson, and Kyle Dillow. 

Hosted by Ole Smoky Moonshine, the band played a set in familiar surroundings, the Ole Smoky Moonshine Distillery in Gatlinburg.  Due to current social distancing regulations, their only physically close audience was the camera crew, members of OSM management, and the carefully stocked walls of the space where they played, but virtually, their music reached far and wide.  Broadcast on Ole Smoky Distillery’s Facebook page, the performance has been viewed more than 44,000 times as of the writing of this article.

In breaks during the performance, Matt spoke about Mountain Hope Good Shepherd Clinic and the ways in which the Clinic serves those in the area without medical insurance.  He also requested that viewers of the broadcast donate money and goods including personal protective equipment to the Clinic.  The viewing audience responded generously to his plea, with dozens making donations online to Mountain Hope Good Shepherd Clinic.  The money raised will help the Clinic continue to see those who might not otherwise be able to afford a medical visit due to loss of work or benefits during this crucial time.

In yet another act of generosity, the band donated their payment for the evening to the Clinic. “Monroeville was honored to share our gifts during this fundraiser so Mountain Hope Good Shepherd Clinic can share their gifts.  They have been serving our community for twenty-one years helping many low-income, self-employed, and musicians like us get the healthcare they need,” Munsey said. 

Monroeville’s performance can be found online here.  For more information about Mountain Hope Good Shepherd Clinic and how you can help keep those who live and work in Sevier County healthy, please reach out to Ashley Burnette at aburnette@mountainhope.org or call 865.771.9114.

Janice

New Horizons Class find new ways to help during COVID-19 Crisis

by EventsFriends of Mountain HopeNews You Can UseNewsworthyVolunteers

It has become a tradition for the New Horizons Discussion Class from First Baptist Church of Sevierville to visit Mountain Hope Good Shepherd Clinic on occasion to bless patients by paying the nominal fee often regularly charged for their visits. In addition, the Class provides lunch for the staff and offers a gift bag containing toiletries, candy, and a Gideon New Testament among other items to patients who’d like to take one home.

This year, the project looked a little different, largely due to the concerns surrounding the COVID-19 Crisis. In addition to the lunch for staff, gift bags were given to the Clinic to distribute and fees were paid in advance to Mountain Hope to make the process as efficient and touch-free as possible.  Patients were informed at the time of service that their fees had been covered.

Janice Bettis represented the Class on Tuesday as they sought to bless members of the Sevier County community, “The class was scheduled to be at the clinic on April 7th and when the ‘stay at home’ order came into effect; we quickly realized that we would not be able to do this.  Class members receive such a blessing from being able to give the money and gift bags to the patients as they check out.  We are aware that the people we have been able to serve at the Clinic are some of the hardest hit because businesses are closed and they have not been able to work and subsequently pay their bills.  We contacted Deb Murph to ask if we could bring the money and the items to the Clinic for her staff to distribute for us.  She graciously agreed.  We pray that this small gesture will be an encouragement and hope to these people.  Thank you Mountain Hope for allowing us to be a part of what you do,” she said.

Mountain Hope is grateful for the support of community members like these. If you would like more information on volunteering for or donating to Mountain Hope Good Shepherd Clinic, please contact Ashley Burnette at aburnette@mountainhope.org or via cell at 865.771.9114.

Jackie Burk 5k 2019

Clinic Volunteer, 78, Finishes the Heroes for Hope 5k to cheers and applause.

by Friends of Mountain HopeFundraisersInspirationNewsworthyVolunteers
A long-time Mountain Hope Good Shepherd Clinic volunteer finished the Healthy Balance Meals Heroes for Hope 5k on Saturday, September 21, 2019 to the applause of other runners and friends. At 78, Jackie Burk is a wonderful example of supporting a cause she loves and is an absolute inspiration to us all. #lifegoals #5kat78 #runtherace
Mountain Hope 1

Clinic Volunteer Donates Examination Table

by Friends of Mountain HopeNewsworthyVolunteers

Jerry Sandifer isn’t content with volunteering his time and expertise to Mountain Hope Good Shepherd Clinic.

He’s also donated an examination table for use in one of the Clinic’s examination rooms.

Jerry is a Realtor who has owned Exit Tennessee Realty Pros in Wears Valley since 2005 and will shortly open another branch in Sevierville.

As a volunteer firefighter and paramedic for more than 20 years, he has medical training that he puts to use on a regular basis by volunteering to do whatever is necessary to help the Clinic’s medical staff. While he’s here once a week, he enjoys both patients and staff. “Everybody’s really, really nice,” he said. Being at the Clinic “uplifts me.”

He saw the need to replace the old examination table to offered to replace it. “In this world, we should help one another,” he said. “If everyone helped everyone else just a little, the world would be a better place.”

His aid to the Clinic does not stop there. He’s also spent a lot of time advising Bradley Minton, who landscaped the grounds as part of his Eagle Scout project, and donated mulch for the landscaping.

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.