News Release: 2/28/2018

On Wednesday, April 11, 2018, Kathy Izard, Author of The Hundred Story Home, will share her inspirational story
of hope and healing among those who were experiencing homelessness. The event will begin with a Mission Fair at 10:00 am. Agencies which serve the homeless, along with VMC, will present booths and interact with visitors who are looking for volunteer opportunities. The Carry the Torch luncheon will begin promptly at 11:45 in the Ballroom of the Knoxville Convention Center. Ginny Weatherstone, who previously served as Chief Executive Officer of VMC for eighteen years, will serve as Honorary Chair.

Kathy Izard was a graphic designer, wife, mother of four daughters, and volunteer at Charlotte's Urban Ministry Center when an unlikely meeting with formerly homeless author Denver Moore (Same Kind of Different As Me) changed the course of her life. Inspired by Denver's challenge to do more than serve in the soup kitchen, Kathy quit her job to take on what seemed like an unimaginable task in her second half of life- to build housing for Charlotte's homeless. Denver Moore and Ron Hall were the featured speakers for VMC's first annual Carry The Torch event in 2009.

The Volunteer Ministry Center is the Host Agency for this annual event. Carry the Torch aspires to not only raise funds but also raise awareness of the myriad factors surrounding the issue of homelessness. There will be opportunities for the public to become involved in the solution to ending homelessness. Sponsorships are available and Sponsorship Forms are available. This form clearly details the benefits of sponsorship. Once a sponsorship form is received at VMC, the sponsor will be provided with information about hosting guests at
their table.

For additional information regarding sponsorships and/or sponsored tables, please contact Mary Beth Ramey at (865) 524-3926 x229 or visit carrythetorchknoxville.com.