Pilot, Home Federal, Media Sponsors Join Aug. 19 Event

Knoxville, Tenn. (Aug. 12, 2011) —  With the help of several generous sponsors, Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett has lined up a community thank-you Aug. 19 to the workers who helped Knox County recover from the recent devastating storms in the area.

Knox County’s Emergency Responder Appreciation Picnic will be on Friday, Aug. 19, from 4 to 7 p.m. in the Tennessee Amphitheatre at World’s Fair Park.  Hot dogs, chips and drinks will be served, and the Chillbillies will perform.

The invitation-only event will honor about 700 storm-recovery workers from the city and county, including the public works and highway departments, law enforcement and fire departments; KUB; Rural/Metro ambulance service; and the Red Cross.

“These folks went above and beyond the call during the storms, working long hours to get roads cleared, restore power, transport the injured and assist families,” Burchett said. “We owe them a huge debt of gratitude, and this is one way we can show that appreciation.”

Thanks to the support of corporate and media sponsors and volunteers, no county funds will be used for the event.

Home Federal Bank and Pilot are joining with Knox County and media sponsors WBIR-TV, Citadel Communications (NewsTalk 98.7) and Moxley Carmichael to support the appreciation event. Other sponsors include Fountain City Finance, Renewal by Anderson, Park West Church, UPS Store of Knoxville, and David Abbey Carpets.

“I want to thank everyone who is helping put this event on, and I want to give my personal thanks to Phil Williams of NewsTalk 98.7 for bringing the idea to my attention,” Burchett said. “We couldn’t do this without the generous financial and in-kind support we are getting from our partners.”

The Chillbillies are donating their performance, and members of Cokesbury United Methodist Church are providing volunteers to work the event. L.B. Steele will cook the hot dogs on several of his big grills.