It’s full steam ahead for a variety of organizations in Carter County.
The county community advisory board (CAB) met inside the Elizabethton/Carter County Public Library Thursday, Jan. 5, and we’re able to receive updates on various projects on the horizon.
One of the highly-touted initiatives includes the CAB’s partnership with Build It Up Tennessee, which is looking to be a benefit to the community, according to CAB member Jilian Reece.
Build It Up will host 45 families for 2017 with 15 spots reserved for Carter County families thanks to a partnership between Build It Up and CAB.
“Applications are now live,” Reece said. “CAB will help pick the families that will be part of the program.”
Build It Up is hosting a community meeting about the program and how to apply on Wednesday, Jan.18, at 11:30am at the library as an informative event for the public.
The program, which is free of charge, allows applicants to utilize various tools and learn the ins and outs of gardening. The program already offers six workshops, which participants must complete, but additional workshops and kids’ classes will be offered thanks to assistance for the local UT-Extension office.
“We appreciate all the help with this program,” Reece said. “We feel this will be a great asset for the county and we’re excited about it.”
Applications are being accepted until January 31. Individuals wanting to apply are encouraged to visit buildituptn.com/gardens-project for more information and to sign-up to be a potential family.
The focus on gardens goes hand-in-hand with the county’s community gardens already in place, which CAB mentioned they’re looking to see more of an increased effort for the coming year.
A special kick off event for the community gardens is expected to take place on Saturday, April 22, from 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. with further details expected to come over the next several weeks.
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The board announced a variety of events on the horizon.
• The Carter County FCE is hosting a basket making class on Friday, Jan. 13, at the TLC Community Center. The cost for materials and instruction is $28. For more information, call the Extension Office at (423) 542-1818.
• The Carter County Health Department’s Freedom From Smoking Classes get underway on Monday, Jan. 9, at the library. Individuals are encouraged to attend each class, which will occur each Monday during the months of January and February. The classes are also free for attendees. For more information, contact the department at (423) 543-2521 ext. 312.
• A special fundraiser pizza night will be held at the Elizabethton Pizza Hut on Monday, Jan. 9. The fundraiser is sponsored by the United Way and Pizza Hut and will see 20 percent of sales being donated to the Gatlinburg Wildfire Relief to help benefits those affected by the recent wildfires in Sevier County. The event will last from 5 to 8 p.m. and is going on at other Pizza Huts within the region.
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Charity Check President Phillip Poston was on hand for Thursday’s meeting to provide information on the business’ work across the United States.
Charity Check was established in 1997 and uses a modular system providing data management for nonprofit organizations.
The perks of the business have been felt locally, with the library utilizing the data management while working with the Imagination Library.
Along with Charity Check, McKenzie Todd provided an update on Northeast Tennessee Reconnect Community. Todd serves as the lead college success advisor for Carter, Johnson and Unicoi counties. The program is in conjunction with the Tennessee Reconnect in effect to encourage adults to attend college to earn a degree.
For more information on the community, contact Todd via email at mtodd@ab-t.org or call (423) 547-7515 ext. 121.