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Farragut Feud

Rotary Club to host fundraiser

April 1, 2026 by Tammy Cheek

Family Feud fans can enjoy the game show fun right in their hometown and help children sleep better at night.

Rotary Club of Farragut is hosting Farragut Feud, a fundraiser in which teams can compete in a game show from 6 to 9 p.m., Friday, April 10, in Farragut Community Center, 239 Jamestowne Blvd.

Funds raised from the event will support Sleep In Heavenly Peace Knoxville, a non-profit organization that builds and delivers free bunk beds, mattresses and bedding to children ages 3 to 17, in the Knoxville area who are sleeping on floors, couches or in inadequate conditions, according to SHP’s website.

“We would love for anyone to be part of the fun,” RCF president Candace Viox said.

In addition to the friendly competition, there will be heavy hors d’oeuvres, a cash bar and a silent auction.

“There are several ways you can support our club,” she said.

Concord UMC youth lead special worship night, service

April 1, 2026 by Tammy Cheek

Concord United Methodist’s youth shared a powerful time of worship as more than 150 students and their families gathered for a special Student-Led Worship Night, hosted by Concord United Students, in February.

That night led to students leading a morning service Sunday, March 15. Another worship night has been

scheduled for 6 p.m., Sunday, Aug. 3.

Worship Night brought together youth groups from across Knoxville, including Middlebrook Pike, and Powell United Methodist Church, for “a night filled with passionate worship, heartfelt testimonies and prayerful unity,” said

Becca Means, CUMC missions director. Students took the lead in every aspect of the event, sharing their stories of faith, lifting up songs of praise and inviting others into a genuine experience of God’s presence.”

“We had this idea to do a worship night,” Means said. “We were talking about it, as a staff, what it would look like. We felt like it would be a great opportunity for our students to be able to show their talents and to lead.

“But, more so that, we felt that it’s important for our students to be in worship with other students who are outside of the church walls,” she said. “They get to do that a couple times a year with camps that we do.

“We think it’s important for them to have that confidence in their faith, to be to see others and to worship together so that they are able to go outside of the walls,” Means said. “When they build those relationships, just that confidence being inside of them to share their faith wherever they are.

YMCA kicks off annual fundraising campaign

April 1, 2026 by Jake Nichols

Monday, March 23, the YMCA of East Tennessee kicked off its 2026 Annual Campaign to raise funds that help ensure everyone in the community can access Y programs and services, regardless of one’s ability to pay.

Since this year marks the 175th anniversary of the YMCA, the Y has set a 2026 campaign goal of $350,000.

Moreover, since the organization is celebrating 175 years, the Y is hoping for 175 people to donate $175 each for the purpose of maintaining one “stronger, safer, connected community,” per the organization.

As a nonprofit organization, the YMCA of East Tennessee awards more than $1 million in scholarships every year through donations and community support — not membership dues.

More than 30,000 people are YMCA members across East Tennessee, and another 10,000 participate in YMCA programs, such as swim lessons, youth sports and after school childcare. These aspects

showcase the annual fund’s daily impact.

“The YMCA stands for accessibility to all, and the reason the Y raises money is so that we would never turn someone away for inability to pay,” said Erin Stidham, executive director for the Davis Family YMCA. “We have such a wide scope of programs that benefit from the annual campaign. One of the biggest is access to membership, so [that means access to] fitness programs, youth programs, family fun and discounted or free swim lessons, which is such an important aspect for our community.”