Volunteers head into homeless camps weekly. They're armed with food, resources and love. 

Volunteers head into homeless camps weekly. They're armed with food, resources and love.

East Tennessee Now is a community oriented public affairs program designed to address local problems and issues and explore possible or existing solutions. The program features community leaders, representatives of area non-profits, healthcare professionals and other experts in their respective fields.

East Tennessee Now

A Hand Up Christian Homeless Ministry

Frank Murphy interviews Mindy Savage of the American Heart Association and Matt Odom, chairman of the 2026 Greater Knoxville Heart Walk. This year's walk takes place on Saturday, September 12, 2026 at Covenant Health Park, 500 E Jackson Ave, Knoxville. More than 3,000 people are expected to gather for the new Greater Knoxville Heart Walk experience, a participant-centered event focused on CPR readiness, survivor stories and community impact. The walk begins and ends on the field following a route through downtown Knoxville.
Saturday, September 12, 2026
7:30 am – Gates open for pre-walk activities
8:30 am – Tug-of-war competition
9:15 am – Programming
9:30 am – Walk kicks off from the field

Heart Walk is the Association’s largest community-facing initiative. Through fundraising, community education and corporate engagement, Heart Walk aims to enhance CPR training accessibility, bolster bystander preparedness, increase funding for vital research and drive equitable health for all people. Participants can register for the Greater Knoxville Heart Walk at greaterknoxvilleheartwalk.org. From there, they can create a fundraising page and complete the Lifesaver Challenge, which includes learning Hands-Only CPR in just 90 seconds.

Frank Murphy interviews Mindy Savage of the American Heart Association and Matt Odom, chairman of the 2026 Greater Knoxville Heart Walk. This year's walk takes place on Saturday, September 12, 2026 at Covenant Health Park, 500 E Jackson Ave, Knoxville. More than 3,000 people are expected to gather for the new Greater Knoxville Heart Walk experience, a participant-centered event focused on CPR readiness, survivor stories and community impact. The walk begins and ends on the field following a route through downtown&nbsp;Knoxville.
<ul>
<li>Saturday, September 12, 2026</li>
<li>7:30 am &ndash; Gates open for pre-walk activities</li>
<li>8:30 am &ndash; Tug-of-war competition</li>
<li>9:15 am &ndash; Programming</li>
<li>9:30 am &ndash; Walk kicks off from the field</li>
</ul>
Heart Walk is the Association&rsquo;s largest community-facing initiative. Through&nbsp;fundraising, community education and corporate engagement, Heart Walk aims to&nbsp;enhance CPR training accessibility, bolster bystander preparedness, increase funding for&nbsp;vital research and drive equitable health for all people.&nbsp;Participants can register for the Greater Knoxville Heart Walk at&nbsp;greaterknoxvilleheartwalk.org. From there, they can create a fundraising page and&nbsp;complete the Lifesaver Challenge, which includes learning Hands-Only CPR in just 90&nbsp;seconds.

American Heart Association

Frank Murphy interviews Mountain Hope Good Shepherd Clinic's Executive Director Deborah Murph and Director of Marketing and Development Shaun Fulco. Mountain Hope Good Shepherd Clinic provides quality healthcare for the medically uninsured who live or work in Sevier County, Tennessee. The clinic offers medical, dental, and behavioral health care as well as a medication assistance program. Learn more at https://mountainhope.org/

The 6th Annual Raffle for Hope will be held on Thursday, September 3, 2026 at The Ridge Events Center in Sevierville. Tickets may be purchased by emailing sfulco@mountainhope.org or calling 865-774-7684. Details are available at https://mountainhope.org/news-and-events/raffleforhope/ 

Mountain Hope Good Shepherd Clinic began in early 1999 when retired pediatrician Dr. Alyene Reese and retired social worker Sue Ellen Riddle opened an all-volunteer clinic in five borrowed rooms at a local church. Guided by the teachings of Jesus Christ, Mountain Hope has grown into a comprehensive community healthcare organization while remaining focused on compassionate, professional care and responsible stewardship. Since its founding, Mountain Hope has served more than 36,000 individuals. In 2025 alone, the clinic provided more than 13,000 patient visits.

Frank Murphy interviews Mountain Hope Good Shepherd Clinic's Executive Director Deborah Murph and Director of Marketing&nbsp;and Development Shaun Fulco. Mountain Hope Good Shepherd Clinic provides quality healthcare for the medically uninsured who live or work in Sevier County, Tennessee. The clinic offers medical, dental, and behavioral health care as well as a medication assistance program. Learn more at <a href="https://mountainhope.org/">https://mountainhope.org/</a>
The 6th Annual Raffle for Hope will be held on Thursday,&nbsp;September 3, 2026 at The Ridge Events Center in Sevierville. Tickets may be purchased by emailing sfulco@mountainhope.org or calling 865-774-7684. Details are available at <a href="https://mountainhope.org/news-and-events/raffleforhope/">https://mountainhope.org/news-and-events/raffleforhope/</a>&nbsp;
Mountain Hope Good Shepherd Clinic began in early 1999 when retired pediatrician Dr. Alyene Reese&nbsp;and retired social worker Sue Ellen Riddle opened an all-volunteer clinic in five borrowed rooms at a local&nbsp;church. Guided by the teachings of Jesus Christ, Mountain Hope has grown into a comprehensive&nbsp;community healthcare organization while remaining focused on compassionate, professional care and&nbsp;responsible stewardship.&nbsp;Since its founding, Mountain Hope has served more than 36,000 individuals. In 2025 alone, the clinic&nbsp;provided more than 13,000 patient visits.

Mountain Hope Good Shepherd Clinic

Frank Murphy interviews Sara Keel, Program Manager for Knox County CAC Mobile Meals about their upcoming "Power of the Purse" fundraiser on Thursday, September 17, 2026 at Rothchild Catering and Conference Center, 8807 Kingston Pike, Knoxville. Donations of gently used purses are being accepted through August 31, 2026 at these locations during normal business hours:

CAC Ross Building  – 2247 Western Avenue
Southern Market  – 5400 Homberg Drive
Chico’s Turkey Creek  – 11321 Parkside Drive
Powell Florist – 7301 Clinton Highway 
Elder’s Ace Hardware Hardin Valley  – 10009 Hardin Valley Road
The Metropolis – 6513 Kingston Pike
Details are available at https://www.knoxseniors.org/events/potp-donations/

Knox County CAC (Community Action Committee) Mobile Meals provides nutritious, home-delivered meals, along with safety checks and friendly connection, to more than 1,100 homebound seniors throughout Knox County. Meals are delivered every weekday by a dedicated volunteer network, helping seniors maintain their health, independence, and quality of life at home. By combining reliable meal service with regular in-person contact, Mobile Meals supports seniors in staying safe, reducing isolation, and continuing to live with dignity in their own homes. Learn more at https://www.knoxseniors.org/our-services/senior-nutrition/mobile-meals/

Frank Murphy interviews Sara Keel, Program Manager for Knox County CAC Mobile Meals about their upcoming "Power of the Purse" fundraiser on Thursday, September 17, 2026 at Rothchild Catering and Conference Center, 8807 Kingston Pike, Knoxville. Donations of gently used purses are being accepted&nbsp;through August 31, 2026 at these locations during normal business hours:
CAC Ross Building &nbsp;&ndash; 2247 Western Avenue Southern Market &nbsp;&ndash; 5400 Homberg Drive Chico&rsquo;s Turkey Creek &nbsp;&ndash; 11321 Parkside Drive Powell Florist &ndash; 7301 Clinton Highway&nbsp; Elder&rsquo;s Ace Hardware Hardin Valley &nbsp;&ndash; 10009 Hardin Valley Road The Metropolis &ndash; 6513 Kingston Pike Details are available at https://www.knoxseniors.org/events/potp-donations/
Knox County CAC (Community Action Committee) Mobile Meals provides nutritious, home-delivered meals, along with safety checks and friendly connection, to more than 1,100 homebound seniors throughout Knox County. Meals are delivered every weekday by a dedicated volunteer network, helping seniors maintain their health, independence, and quality of life at home. By combining reliable meal service with regular in-person contact, Mobile Meals supports seniors in staying safe, reducing isolation, and continuing to live with dignity in their own homes. Learn more at https://www.knoxseniors.org/our-services/senior-nutrition/mobile-meals/

A Hand Up Christian Homeless Ministry

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