Frank Murphy interviews Executive Editor Joel Christopher and Photo Editor Jennifer Dedman of Knox News about the Empty Stocking Fund, which has been helping families in need since 1912. Empty Stocking Fund recipients receive 40 food items including a five-pound ham to provide for Christmas dinner as well as other meals during the holiday season.

The News Sentinel Charities, Inc. is a nonprofit - 501(c)3 - organization that was established in 1975 to manage and govern the Empty Stocking Fund. News Sentinel staff that serve on the News Sentinel Charities board manage the program.

Volunteers are needed during the week of December 15 to pack boxes with food. Volunteer registration for 2025 opens on Tuesday, October 28, 2025 at https://www.esfknox.org/

Frank Murphy interviews Executive Editor Joel Christopher and Photo Editor Jennifer Dedman of Knox News about the Empty Stocking Fund, which has been helping families in need since 1912. Empty Stocking Fund recipients receive 40 food items including a five-pound ham to provide for Christmas dinner as well as other meals during the holiday season.
The News Sentinel Charities, Inc. is a nonprofit - 501(c)3 - organization that was established in 1975 to manage and govern the Empty Stocking Fund. News Sentinel staff that serve on the News Sentinel Charities board manage the program.
Volunteers are needed during the week of December 15 to pack boxes with food. Volunteer registration for 2025 opens on Tuesday, October 28, 2025 at https://www.esfknox.org/

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

Empty Stocking Fund

Frank Murphy interviews Chris Hall, Chief Operating Officer at Remote Area Medical. Since 1985, Remote Area Medical (RAM®) has provided free healthcare services to those in need through the operation of mobile pop-up clinics around the country. Remote Area Medical was founded in 1985 by Stan Brock, known as co-host of Mutual of Omaha’s Wild Kingdom. 

RAM will offer a free medical, dental, and vision clinic in the Jacob Building at Chilhowee Park in Knoxville on February 6, 7, and 8, 2026. Learn more at https://www.ramusa.org/

Frank Murphy interviews Chris Hall, Chief Operating Officer at Remote Area Medical. Since 1985, Remote Area Medical (RAM&reg;) has provided free healthcare services to those in need through the operation of mobile pop-up clinics around the country.&nbsp;Remote Area Medical was founded in 1985 by Stan Brock, known as co-host of Mutual of Omaha&rsquo;s Wild Kingdom.&nbsp;
RAM will offer a free medical, dental, and vision clinic in the Jacob Building at Chilhowee Park in Knoxville on February 6, 7, and 8, 2026. Learn more at https://www.ramusa.org/

Remote Area Medical

Frank Murphy interviews Dana Soehn, President and CEO of Friends of the Smokies. Dana joined Friends in 2023 after serving as a National Park Service employee for more than 30 years, including ten years as Park Spokesperson.

During the government shutdown, Friends of the Smokies joined with other partners to provide funding to  keep the Great Smoky Mountains National Park open to the public. Friends of the Smokies is seeking donations to continue funding projects in the Park. 

Learn more at https://friendsofthesmokies.org/

Frank Murphy interviews Dana Soehn, President and CEO of Friends of the Smokies.&nbsp;Dana joined Friends in 2023 after serving as a National Park Service employee for more than 30 years, including ten years as Park Spokesperson.
During the government shutdown, Friends of the Smokies joined with other partners to provide funding to&nbsp; keep the Great Smoky Mountains National Park open to the public. Friends of the Smokies is seeking donations to continue funding projects in the Park.&nbsp;
Learn more at https://friendsofthesmokies.org/

Friends of the Smokies

Frank Murphy interviews Jen Corbin, this year's president of the Nativity Pageant of Knoxville and Erica Moore, this year's vice president. The 57th annual Nativity Pageant will be presented on Saturday, December 13, 2025 at 3:00 p.m.; Sunday, December 14, 2025 at 3:00 p.m., and Monday, December 15, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. in the Knoxville Civic Coliseum. 

Parking is $5, credit or debit card only. Admission to the Pageant is free. Doors open one hour prior to each performance. A musical prelude begins 30 minutes prior to each performance. Arrive early enough to find seats before the performance, which begins in total darkness. The performance lasts about one hour. 

The Nativity Pageant of Knoxville features live animals, a cast of over 100 actors, a choir of over 100 singers, a full orchestra and four professional narrators. It tells the biblical story of the birth of Jesus.

For more information, visit https://www.knoxvillenativity.com/

Frank Murphy interviews Jen Corbin, this year's president of the Nativity Pageant of Knoxville and Erica Moore, this year's vice president. The 57th annual Nativity Pageant will be presented on Saturday, December 13, 2025 at 3:00 p.m.; Sunday, December 14, 2025 at 3:00 p.m., and Monday, December 15, 2025 at 7:00 p.m. in the Knoxville Civic Coliseum.&nbsp;
Parking is $5, credit or debit card only. Admission to the Pageant is free. Doors open one hour prior to each performance. A musical prelude begins 30 minutes prior to each performance. Arrive early enough to find seats before the performance, which begins in total darkness. The performance lasts about one hour.&nbsp;
The Nativity Pageant of Knoxville features live animals, a cast of over 100 actors, a choir of over 100 singers, a full orchestra and four professional narrators. It tells the biblical story of the birth of Jesus.
For more information, visit https://www.knoxvillenativity.com/

Empty Stocking Fund

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