We spent the first day in Tulsa doing a little good. Our team got up early, headed over to Old School Bagel Café and bought breakfast for everyone who came in.
Quincy, co-owner and resident bagel expert, helped us surprise people as they pulled around the drive-through. Funny enough, we met a lot of folks who were on their own mission of good. Every other person seemed to be picking up orders for a charity, their co-workers or a friend.
Tulsa, thanks for the warm welcome.
We’re moving on to the next city but we couldn’t leave Knoxville without showing our appreciation.
To everyone who didn’t hear us say thanks at the Stock and Barrel, this podcast is for you.
The Helen Ross McNabb Center provides behavior healthcare to teens, children and their families in East Tennessee. This year, they’re aiming to help 25,000 individuals with holiday gifts and resources.
We purchased what we could off their wish list and arrived early in the morning (to avoid spoiling the surprise). As our team loaded toys into the center’s secret gift closet, we were told that most of the programs they have wouldn’t be in existence without the generosity of the surrounding community.
Still, it’s harder for this center because the children they serve are older. A lot of people bring in gifts, but they’re usually for toddlers. Everyone above the age of ten is forgotten; especially the boys.
We made quick work of the unloading and left just as quietly as we came. However, it would have been nice to stay. If only to see the excitement on the case managers’ faces as they opened the secret gift closet and saw a room full of the all too scarce, age appropriate toys.
There’s an undeniable emotional drain on the volunteers who take in lost and surrendered pets at the Young-Williams Animal Center in Knoxville, Tennessee.
We’re told that the hardest intakes are dogs. After the owner leaves, you can feel the dog’s confusion. They look at the door and then they glance up at you with sad eyes that ask, “When are they coming back?”
It’s hard to keep volunteers, but the ones who stay receive their fair share of happy, reaffirming moments. Not to mention the satisfying relief these volunteers feel when a pet is adopted into a “forever home.” In fact, as our team dropped off pet supplies and donations, one dog walker didn’t even stop to see what all the fuss was about.
Turns out, she’s the stopgap until the shelter finds more volunteers. So it’s not surprising that we found her outside, walking an energetic pit bull in the rain. We gave her some cash. Then we thanked her for stretching her time, money and energy to care for these soon to be found pets.
“I like helping people out. You can’t live in this world and not help somebody.”
Diamond, facilities worker at World’s Fair Park.
“My goal is to be the most polite motorcyclist there ever was.”
Aaron, bike enthusiast and cashier at Pioneer House.
“It’s called life. You just keep smiling. That’s it. The rest is all ‘gar-bage,’ as they say in the old country.”
Anthony Paul, a friendly patron at the Stock and Barrel.
“She’s the team spirit.”
How could we not pitch in?
“I’ll be honest. It’s the kids and the seniors that inspire me. What keeps me up at night, of course, is keeping the money coming in to keep this place open. We’re a non- profit. That’s what drives you, is finding a way to make sure that we can provide for these kids and their families.”
- Mr. Tim
Our team dropped off supplies and some much needed funds. Hopefully, he’s up a little less tonight.
“I’m five minutes older than she is.”
Twin sisters Helen Ashe and Ellen Turner have been feeding those in need since 1986. But the idea for The Love Kitchen started earlier, during their nursing days at the University of Tennessee Hospital.
As Helen tells it, a lot of the patients weren’t getting the nutrition they needed at home. She decided to do something about it, and a few years later The Love Kitchen opened.
The twins say the program wouldn’t have been possible without the influence of their wonderful parents. They taught them to never take the last piece of bread from the table, in case somebody came by in need of it.
You can see the evidence of their parents’ love everywhere. Not only in the charity’s name, but also in the type of people they attract. Because of their president’s caring attention and the dedication of generous volunteers, their service continues to grow.
This November, The Love Kitchen delivered over 2,930 meals while also serving 416 people. We were happy to hand them a check that will go toward serving many more.
“Kids this young can help.”
We couldn’t agree more.
