The 8th Annual Fall Festival
For the 8th year in a row, the Fall Festival at Mountain T.O.P. was more than a success. This thought from Sofia Leon-Meza, Public Health Educator for Grundy County, explains it all: “This event is such a blessing to our community!” Along with 13 other community partners, Sofia joined the event to distribute information about county wide health programming and give away helpful kitchen gadgets.
Each year we open the gates of our Cumberland Pines camp to the community for a couple of hours on a Saturday in October. Some come for a hot dog and face painting. Others come because of the much needed resources and information distributed by organizations such as the Family Resource Center, Volunteer Behavioral Health, and the Rotary Club. To be expected, the less than desirable weather this year still did not keep folks away! 98% of the people who attended the festival were able to receive new shoes. This is the highest percentage we’ve experienced since the festival has been in operation.
We were excited this year to be joined by the Saint Thomas Mobile Health Unit, which has been present in other areas of the county. The unit was present to both give people convenient access to acute health care and make sure they are connected with a doctor if they have a chronic illness. With a physician and medical professionals on board, the unit stayed busy during the festival administering flu shots and diagnosing illnesses.
ne of the most obvious and surprising effects of the festival cannot be counted. As noted by many participants, an event like this changes all of us. Attendees, who might come for necessary resources, go through a physical change when their burdens are lightened. Community partners have the same reaction. While they might be participating because it’s a job requirement, it’s hard not to succumb to the spirit of generosity that weaves its way into the event so the giving and receiving doesn’t happen in just one direction. Many thanks to all of the churches, organizations, and individuals who pool resources to make the Fall Festival a positive experience for us all!
Katie Goforth, VISTA Manager of the South Cumberland Plateau AmeriCorps VISTA Project, sums things up beautifully. “What can conquer the chill of Autumn’s air? It’s the warm and generous hearts of those that give their love and time in support of the Mountain T.O.P. Fall Festival. From donations of coats, shoes and books to donations of canned goods, the Mountain T.O.P. Fall Festival is about neighbors helping neighbors. Whether it is a winter coat, a pair of gloves, or a warm handshake and a sunny smile along with one canned food item, everyone has an opportunity to both give and receive.”