Hope Youth 2009 Achievements on You Tube

In addition to our work online, local services are offered in Strawberry Plains, Tennessee. Hope Youth are kids who come to us to do community service who stay on as volunteers or they are kids who want to make a difference in their community. Strawberry Plains, Tennessee is a rural area outside of Knoxville in Jefferson County. A slideshow is on the player on the right of the screen.



The kids who we work with in Strawberry Plains range from high functioning scholars at the top of their high school class to kids who can barely read. Some come to us from Appalachian type of settings with a poverty mindset. Others come to us from Knoxville with different cultural backgrounds.

Hope for Healing.Org is a Christian organization. We give out Bibles when requested and answer questions about Christianity. It is ever our goal to interfere with the cultural or religious background of the individual in Strawberry Plains or online. Our desire is to foster an atmosphere of understanding and mutual respect.

The kids seem to enjoy their time at Hope for Healing.Org and learn life-changing skills. We think that's pretty cool. How about you?

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Christmas for a Strawberry Plains Family

We were called to help make Christmas happen for a Strawberry Plains family. It's a single mom with 4 kids. The donor specified clothes with hygiene items and set an amount. (See our Facebook Fan page here.)

The children will receive the items in the photo. There is one outfit for each plus hygiene items, a pair of gloves and a hat for each. We were also able to get the stocking items you see pictured. It's not much but for these kids it's everything. (The blanket was already on the couch and not something given to the family.)

There's no way we could do what we do if it weren't for you. Many thanks to everyone who help us help others. May you each have a Merry Christmas and a happy, healthy New Year.

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Strawberry Plains Spring Festival 2009 Photos

Strawberry Plains had the Strawberry Plains Spring Festival on Saturday, May 9, 2009. The Strawberry Plains Community Alliance sponsors the annual event.

This year's event featured a parade, car show, crafts and food vendors. There were games for the kids, a small petting zoo and lots of other activities. The Strawberry Plains Spring Festival even had bagpipe music. The clear tones floated across the late morning landscape beckoning one and all to join the festival.

One of the most anticipated events at the Strawberry Plains Spring Festival is the car show and parade.

The car show was held on the parking lot of the Straw Plains Market and Deli. At 11:30 the parade line-up began.

Most of the activities took place on the field of Rush Strong School. The Strawberry Plains Community Alliance maintains close ties with the school.

The Strawberry Plains Spring Festival 2009 was enjoyed by many in the Strawberry Plains community. Thank you Strawberry Plains Community Alliance. See you next year!

Strawberry Plains Spring Festival Sat. 5/9/09

Strawberry Plains Spring Festival by the Strawberry Plains Community Alliance is this Saturday, May 9 from 9:00 -4:00. This is a daylong family fun event that is much anticipated by the community.

At the Strawberry Plains Spring Festival you'll get to enjoy a parade, buy some crafts, peruse the many yard sales by the businesses and homes that line Old Andrew Johnson Hwy.

The downtown section of Strawberry Plains will be blocked off to make room for the festival. This is the part of Old Andrew Johnson Hwy. that runs from Hamilton St. through Hwy. 139. Traffic on 11-E, Andrew Johnson Hwy. is not affected.

To learn more about the Strawberry Plains Spring Festival visit the website of the Strawberry Plains Community Alliance. The url is http://www.strawberryplains.info.

Angel Food Pick up Saturday March 21

Don't forget. The Angel Food pick up is Sat. March 21. Be sure to get your food box between 10 & 10:30 am. Any food not picked up will be given to a needy family or charitable organization.

Our address is
3130 W Old Andrew Johnson Hwy.
Strawberry Plains, TN 37871

See you then!

eBay Helps Nonprofit Raise Funds in Tight Economy

We're turning to eBay to help our nonprofit raise funds in this tight economy. Up for grabs right now is depression era furniture, kitchen table and greeting cards. These items have been worked on by the juvenile offfenders and volunteers of Hope for Healing.Org. They are available for pick up from our Strawberry Plains nonprofit. For a small donation (to help our volunteer with gas) they can be delivered within the Knoxville area.

Other items that are going up on eBay include clothes and knick-knacks. These are the types of things that helped make eBay famous.

The money raised will help us with basic operating expenses of rent, phone, internet etc. to keep us going. We only have 1 paid part-time staff member. Everything else is run by volunteers. This stretches our budget to help donations go as far as possible.

We'll be listing items on eBay all this week to help our nonprofit raise funds in this tight economy. You're getting good products at a price you determine by bidding on the auction. Keep watching our site all this week for great deals!

Our eBay store url is http://stores.ebay.com/hopeforhealingorg

Mardi Gras Strawberry Plains 2009 Photos Online

Mardi Gras Photos Click Here

Our Mardi Gras Photos are now online. View the party by clicking the above url!

Mardi Gras Strawberry Plains 2009 Photos are Online!

Wow! Did we ever have fun at the Strawberry Plains Mardi Gras 2009. I'm getting lots of compliments from people who tell me that this was the best year ever. We had a great crew and (as you can tell from the photos) lots of fun!

This photo shows some of the great auction items that were available. There were bath and body baskets, screwdriver sets, truck-tie down sets, crock-pots, jewelry, gift certificates to Amerigo's and Outback Steakhouse, a Jackson electric guitar, Ocoee whitewater rafting passes, items made by Hope Youth and more.

Bojangle's Chicken in Powell was our chicken sponsor. We had a great DJ and lots of fun!

Next year the party happens on Feb. 5, 2010. Mark your calendars now. A party this good is way too much fun to miss!

Strawberry Plains Mardi Gras - Thank you!

Strawberry Plains again had a Mardi Gras. Many thanks to all of the volunteers who worked so hard to make this happen. We could not have done it without you! Pictures will be posted soon.

Volunteers cooked food, served food, decorated, helped with the silent auction and did everything to make this Mardi Gras the best ever. We appreciate all of your efforts.

Many thanks go to the terrific DJ who kept us entertained and to the sorority of Gamma Sigma Sigma. You all did an outstanding job and are a credit to Carson-Newman College.

If you miss Mardi Gras this year don't despair. Mark your calendars now to attend next year's Mardi Gras on February 5, 2010. It'll be our sixth straight year! See you there!

Strawberry Plains Amazing Pumpkin Patch is Coming

Strawberry Plains Amazing Pumpkin Patch is coming in October. We have just gotten word that about 1,000 pumpkins are going to be arriving.

The patch will be open beginning October 10 from 11:00 am - 8:00 pm. School groups are welcome to come earlier. Youth groups can come later. For the older kids we'll be offering a marshmallow roast two nights a week. This can be booked for groups only and makes a great outing.

We'll have craft booths, pumpkin booths, storytelling, music and food. Hopefully, we'll be able to offer hayrides and lots more. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first time Strawberry Plains has had a pumpkin patch. All proceeds benefit the ministries of Hope for Healing.Org. Volunteers are welcome. To join in the fun call us at 933.8769.

See you in October at the Strawberry Plains Pumpkin Patch. The fun happens at 3126 W. Old Andrew Johnson Hwy., Strawberry Plains, TN 37871.

Strawberry Plains Mardi Gras Tonight 7:00 pm.

Strawberry Plains Mardi Gras happens again tonight. It's the 5th straight year! Tickets are still available at the door. They are only $10 each.

We'll see you at the Strawberry Plains Presbyterian Church at 3128 W. Old Andrew JOhnson Hwy., Strawberry Plains, TN 37871. Phone 933.8769 for directions.

Activities include a chicken dinner sponsored by Bojangles Chicken plus a silent auction, music and dancing. It's always lots and lots of fun!

See you there!

Strawberry Plains Juvenile Offenders Hope for Healing.Org Radio Local Services

Strawberry Plains, TN is home to Hope for Healing.Org. From our home in the downtown Strawberry Plains area people are fed, clothing distributed and lives are changed.

Hope for Healing.Org is best known locally for their work with juvenile offenders. These are kids who are court ordered to give a set number of community service hours. Many of them seem to come from homes where domestic violence is prevalent.

During this segment of our Blog Talk Radio broadcast we speak with Allie. She is the summer youth coordinator and spends a lot of time nurturing juvenile offenders. Also, Allie is responsible for record keeping and task managment.

In "Local Services" she talks about what she likes best about working with juvenile offenders in Strawberry Plains, Tennessee.

http://www.blogtalkradio.com/hopeforhealingorg

Mardi Gras Strawberry Plains 2009

We are getting ready for Mardi Gras in Strawberry Plains. The 2009 event marks our fifth straight year. The problems with the buildings aren't going to stop us from having a great time and raising some money again this year.

It all happens on Feb. 6. at 7:00 pm. Tickets are still available. Call us for more information at 964.6673.

What's Ash Wednesday?

Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Christian season of Lent. An Ash Wednesday service includes having a pastor put ashes on your forehead. This is a reminder of the sacrifice that Jesus made for all sins.

Not every denomination will celebrate Ash Wednesday. It is more common among the denominations Roman Catholic, Lutheran, Presbyterian, United Methodist, Episcopal and Eastern Orthodox.

The ashes are typically made from the dried palm leaves that are collected from the previous year's Palm Sunday service. These are burned during the service by the pastor. The ash is then placed on the head of the participant.

Those who observe the tradition find it to be a moving service.

Strawberry Plains Ash Wednesday Services No Word Yet

We've gotten no word yet on Ash Wednesday Services in Strawberry Plains. Please check with the individual churches. If you hear anything please let us know. We'll be glad to let everyone know here.

Water Damages Local Charity Hope for Healing.Org

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I guess it was inevitable that water would damage our office. First, the electricity went due to a problem. Then, temperatures plummeted. We got a surprise when things warmed back up.

Please forgive us if we are delayed in getting back to you. All of our staff is hard at work trying to cope with these difficult circumstances.

The electricity has been restored. The landlord is working on the water situation. Soon the clean up can begin.

Electricity Problem Continues to Plague Strawberry Plains Charity

We are still battling the electricity problem at our Strawberry Plains charity. Hope for Healing.Org has not had electricity since the line went down on Jan. 4. In an email dated Jan. 14 the landlord reported that he was "trying hard" to get us back in business. He said that the building had been inspected and had passed. According to the landlord everything is now in the hands of KUB.

At Hope for Healing.Org we appreciate your patience. This has been a difficult time for us as we struggle with how to work and where to work from. Staying on top of the very many things we do while battling a building that has no electricity has been a major hurdle.

As soon as we have electricity we will post here to let everyone know. You may actually hear us jumping for joy and shouting excitedly when this happens. If so, please head on over. We'll be back in "business", able to work on the website regularly again and be able to distribute clothing and food to those who need it.

Here here a couple of pictures that were taken yesterday evening. This shows part of the work the landlord has done. According to him KUB should be out soon to hook up the electricity.

Hopefully, the electricity problems that keep us from operating effectively in Strawberry Plains will soon be history!

Charity Hosts Service Event for National Day of Service Dr. Martin Luther King Holiday

The Strawberry Plains charity Hope for Healing.Org, will host a service event on January 19 at our office on 3130 W. Old Andrew Johnson Hwy., Strawberry Plains, TN 37871.

At the time of this writing, this service event is the only Presidential Inaugural Committee approved event within the state of Tennessee (although it is expected that more organizations will be participating.)

The website of the Presidential Inaugural Committee reads:

In 1994, to further commemorate a man who lived his life in service to others, Congress transformed the Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday into a national day of community service. To honor Dr. King’s legacy, the President-elect and Vice President-elect and their families, joined by Americans in communities all across the country, will participate in activities dedicated to serving others...

Part of that commitment includes organizing a National Day of Service to honor the legacy of Dr. Martin Luther King., Jr. on January 19, 2009. Volunteers are invited to help the less fortunate in Strawberry Plains by working in the organizations clothing closet. Clothes will be sorted, folded and organized in preparation for the summer season.

To sign up for the event please visit the website of the Presidential Inaugural Committee here: http://www.pic2009.org/page/event/detail/dayofservicejanuary19/jrr

For more information about Hope for Healing.Org please contact us at 964.6673 or email gayle@hopeforhealing.org

Strawberry Plains Charity Readies for 5th Annual Mardi Gras 2009 on Feb. 6

Mark your calendars now. Mardi Gras Night Strawberry Plains is set for Feb. 6, 2009 at 7:00 pm. It will be held at the Strawberry Plains Presbyterian Church - the only place in Strawberry Plains big enough for this party!

Activities include:
Silent Auction
Live Auction
Dinner
DJ
Dancing
Cookies
King Cake
Fake Champagne
Strawberries
Crowning of the King and Queen of the Mardi Gras Party
Door Prizes
Raflle Prizes and More!

It's a fun evening that you won't forget. Adult tickets are $10 in advance or $16 at the door. Volunteers donating 2 or more hours of time that night get in for free.

Proceeds benefit Hope for Healing.Org - the only social service agency serving all of Strawberry Plains. The counties included are Jefferson, Knox and Sevier. For more informaiton please email gayle@hopeforhealing.org or call 964.6673.

Merry Christmas

From downtown Strawberry Plains, may you have a Merry Christmas and a very happy New Year!