News
John LaMacchia Races for the Homeless
Posted on May 22, 2013
Hope for our Homeless
Our very good friend John LaMacchia ia competing in the Tennessee Senior Olympic Championship 5K Time Trial to raise awareness and funds for Redeeming Hope! The event is called Hope for our Homeless. Read the article from the Amplifier below to learn more about John. Watch for more updates soon, but until then you can give support by going to our giving page and and typing in the words, "Cheer Donation" as we cheer John on!
About John LaMacchia
John is 55 years old, and lives in Knoxville, Tennessee with his wife Ann. They have been married for 31 years, having met at The Ohio State University in 1977. They have three sons, all three of whom are college graduates. Being an avid cyclist for 41 years, John continues an active cycling lifestyle that includes Greenway riding with his wife, rides with friends, and some road racing.
John's Article in the Amplifier
“I’ve always loved to ride my bicycle. Growing up in Northern Ohio, the roads were flat at 90 degree angles. I can’t remember one time I got lost riding my 3-speed Schwinn around my hometown on those hot, humid summer days. I think I was around 14 years old when my parents gave me a choice. ‘You can keep your horse or we can buy you a new bicycle.’ Hmmm. Now I loved my horse, “Sonny”. But, having a new found freedom on a bicycle, I opted for the later. Christmas day, that year, my father carried into the house a brand new bicycle. I was elated and inspired.
Over the past 41 years, I’ve ridden thousands of miles, with my wife, pulling my young sons in a pull-behind bike trailer, riding across the United States (3400 miles), and passing my love of cycling on to my youngest son Michael. My bicycle has added many gifts and blessings to my life.
Most recently, I’ve discovered the Senior Olympics. “Senior Olympics”, I thought... isn’t that for real old people who can barely move and earn, at best, snickers at their pathetic attempts to look athletic? In my pride, I thought so, until I began to investigate.
The Tennessee State Championship 5K Cycling Time Trial is being held on June 22 of this year. There will be three age categories. In 2012, the winning time in my age group was 7:45. Of all three categories, the fastest time was 6:53; an average speed of 27 mph! In comparison, a professional bicycle racer averages 31 mph! Slow seniors? Hardly.
I’ve signed up for this event. Why? At 55 years old, I could crash and be injured. I could have a heart attack. I can listen to the skeptics say, ‘You’re too old. Shouldn’t you just attempt more passive activities?’ or ‘Aren’t you just experiencing a mid-life crisis?’
Well, maybe to all. Yet...
I ride because I can. I ride thinking of all those who can’t, so I ride for them. I ride for my mother who passed away at age 52 from a heart attack. I ride for my brother Chris, who’s body was devastated by spinal meningitis, passed away at age 16 and who never rode a bike once. I ride for my future grandchildren as an example to them and to pull them in the same bike trailer, falling asleep with the wind in their faces!
I also ride to inspire you to get out there and swim, cycle, run, or move any way you can...for a brighter future, better health, and more joy-filled days.
With the help of several sponsors including Bearden Bike and Trail, I’m going to Franklin, TN on June 22nd to win a gold medal. Not silver or bronze. Why bother for anything less? Gold is gold. If I medal on that day, I will qualify to go to the Senior Olympic National Championships in the summer of 2014. Why? Because I can, it’s fun, and the challenge is there before me.
Pick your challenge, and meet it with courage. Meet it with strength. It’s better to look back on life when you are 100 years old and say: “I can’t believe I did that.” Instead of saying “I wish I did that.”
You can do it, so start today!
Eddie Young in Metro Pulse
Posted on Dec 31, 2011
Read the Story!
Our very own Eddie Young was named one of the 10 most fascinating Knoxvillians featured this past year in the Metro Pulse. Check out the story online with the following link:
10 Fascinating Knoxvillians of 2011
And this is the link to the original story published in October:
Running with Hope Results
Posted on Nov 16, 2011
Thanks for coming out and supporting RHM!
It was a beautifully chilly Saturday morning, and hundred of people gathered in Circle Park on UT's campus to stretch their legs and promote Redeeming Hope Ministries. We thank you all for your support! The results, provided by the Knoxville Track Club, are below. Find out how speedy you were!
Redeeming Hope Ministries presents the Running for Hope 5k
The University of Tennessee November 12, 2011 9:00 A.M.
Weather: Sunny & 40 degrees
NUMBER REGISTERED: 255 NUMBER OF FINISHERS: 169
Sponsors: Haslam Scholars Program @ UTK, URHC, RoadID, Fleet Feet Sports,
UT Bookstore, Knoxville Track Club, borderland tees
MALE OPEN OVERALL
1 1 16:44 Aaron Johnson 20 Knoxville TN
2 2 16:53 Ed Wright 39 Oak Ridge TN
3 3 17:07 Geoffrey Martin 28
FEMALE OPEN OVERALL
1 9 20:22 Elizabeth Tiller 21
2 10 20:55 Phoebe Fogelman 17
3 14 21:40 Nicole Rammer 20
MALE AGE GROUP: 1 - 10
MALE AGE GROUP: 11 - 15
1 12 21:03 Austin Hoag 13
2 77 28:41 Ajay Smith 11 Morristown TN
MALE AGE GROUP: 16 - 20
1 4 17:55 David Proffitt 18
2 5 18:36 Desta Bume 19
3 6 19:50 Chris Ludtka 18
4 7 19:52 Patrick Wells 20
5 17 21:55 Robert Patton 20 Knoxville TN
6 19 22:12 Hunter Klein 19
7 23 23:10 Matthew Waldrep 18
8 25 23:31 Kevin Gayler 20
9 26 23:31 Austin Martin 18
10 27 23:37 Austin Love 18
11 29 23:46 Alex Oakley 19
12 32 24:06 Conor O'Dell 18 Collierville TN
13 34 24:17 Marcus Allen 18
14 39 25:14 Niaz Uddin 18
15 43 25:40 Cayce Davis 19
16 44 25:43 Greyson Dickey 20 Knoxville TN
17 51 26:09 James Canestrari 19
18 52 26:16 Ryan O'Neal 18 Cotontown TN
19 58 26:48 Marshall Newman 19 McKenzie TN
20 59 26:49 Alex Perhac 20
21 62 27:14 David Pollo 20 Knoxville TN
22 64 27:19 Benjamin Hamilton 19
23 66 27:26 Hunter Herrin 20 McKenzie TN
24 70 27:50 Mark Remec 19
25 75 28:21 Jeremy Wooten 19
26 92 30:16 Sam Crenshaw 20
27 98 30:46 Tyler McBride 19
28 105 31:10 Noah Linwood 20 Knoxville TN
29 108 31:22 Lewis Williams 20
30 115 32:31 Sam Jackson 19
31 131 33:35 Grayson Hunley 18
32 158 42:12 Samuel Goddard 20 Knoxville TN
MALE AGE GROUP: 21 - 25
1 8 20:13 Aaron Stout 23
2 20 22:42 Seth Campbell 22 Knoxville TN
3 21 23:05 Robert Wise 23
4 22 23:05 Weston Duke 21
5 24 23:11 Anthony Batts 21
6 36 24:48 Kevin Maxwell 23
7 45 25:44 Kaliv Parker 21 Knoxville TN
8 49 26:03 Robert Ballow 24
9 103 30:51 Richard Gibson 21
MALE AGE GROUP: 26 - 30
1 41 25:27 Blake Etheridge 29
2 63 27:15 William Rohr 28
3 72 28:03 Zhenke -Kevin- Teng 30 Knoxville TN
4 100 30:49 Andrew Wefdman 29 Knoxville TN
5 162 43:10 Rajesh Jena 26
MALE AGE GROUP: 31 - 35
1 11 20:55 Mark Vanderlip 35 Maryville TN
2 13 21:24 Frank Hilker 35
3 15 21:43 Eric Martin 33
4 42 25:35 Luis Caicedo 34
5 149 37:01 Ray Trejo 35
MALE AGE GROUP: 36 - 40
MALE AGE GROUP: 41 - 45
1 30 23:58 Jeffrey Long 45 Knoxville TN
2 143 35:08 Brian Shupe 42
3 145 35:43 Randy Small 44 Alcoa TN
4 163 43:23 John Lowery 42
5 164 43:23 Joel Reed 43
MALE AGE GROUP: 46 - 50
1 81 29:20 Paul Hahn 49 Knoxville TN
2 87 29:55 Cliff Lawson 46 Harrodsburg KY
3 119 32:44 Steven Dandaneau 47
MALE AGE GROUP: 51 - 55
1 16 21:49 Steven Prince 54 Knoxville TN
2 57 26:39 Sam Giles 54 Knoxville
3 84 29:41 Kenneth Moore 51 Knoxville TN
4 88 29:56 Darrell Oakley 51
MALE AGE GROUP: 56 - 60
MALE AGE GROUP: 61 - 99
1 50 26:07 Joe Cordero 73 Morristown TN
2 142 34:57 Rog Hollingsworth 77
3 157 42:12 Jim Goddard 62 Straw Plains TN
FEMALE AGE GROUP: 1 - 10
1 89 29:58 Marley Cate Harriman 10 Knoxville TN
FEMALE AGE GROUP: 11 - 15
1 46 25:51 Sara Woods 13 Knoxville TN
2 47 25:52 Monet Harriman 11 Knoxville TN
3 102 30:51 Brooke Lawson 15 Harrodsburg KY
4 167 47:41 Caroline Conley 15
FEMALE AGE GROUP: 16 - 20
1 28 23:37 Allison Ruff 20
2 35 24:26 Diane Ruff 18
3 38 25:03 Anna Eldreth 19
4 40 25:16 Jocelyn Hofstra 18
5 48 26:02 Tammara Garrett 19
6 53 26:16 Alexis Adams 20 Sevierville TN
7 55 26:35 Suzanne Lamb 19
8 56 26:36 Leah Giles 20 Knoxville
9 60 26:50 Sarah Witherspoon 19
10 73 28:05 Kelsey Aquadro 20
11 79 29:04 Mathison Williams 20
12 82 29:21 Victoria Anderson 19
13 93 30:17 Allison Grant 19
14 97 30:46 Rachel Apelt 19
15 104 30:52 Victoria Knight 19 Knoxville TN
16 106 31:16 Mary Carnes 20
17 109 31:25 Chloe Lovelace 18
18 110 31:25 Nicky Hackenbrack 18
19 112 31:56 Haley Richmond 19
20 116 32:32 Morgan Meadows 18
21 120 32:46 Georganna Greene 18
22 122 32:48 Madison White 20 TN
23 123 32:52 Devin Bledsoe 20
24 125 32:57 Mattie Goostree 19 Nolensville TN
25 126 33:02 Allison Vargo 18
26 128 33:24 Stephanie Hoke 18
27 130 33:33 Loren Lee 17
28 133 33:36 Katy Robinson 17 Knoxville TN
29 136 34:13 Emily Threadgill 19
30 137 34:15 Coleen O'Leary 18
31 138 34:15 Abigail Wood 18
32 147 36:39 Lydia Midgley 18
33 148 36:40 Jordan Bennett 18
34 153 40:34 Jessica Welch 20
35 154 40:44 Elise Placher 18
36 155 40:44 Rebecca Rayder 18
37 166 47:41 Erin Conley 18
FEMALE AGE GROUP: 21 - 25
1 33 24:15 Buki Baruwa 24
2 37 24:50 Jena' Murphy 23
3 67 27:27 Allix Bullock 21
4 68 27:29 Bethany Bennett 21
5 69 27:48 Katie Downey 23
6 71 27:57 Samantha Henley 21
7 74 28:07 Megan Klipfel 24
8 76 28:34 Hanna Reeves 23
9 78 29:02 Marissa Landis 21 Knoxville TN
10 86 29:49 Mary Beth Smith 22 Knoxville TN
11 91 30:11 Ande Kloss 22
12 94 30:20 Brianne Gibson 23
13 96 30:38 Caity Stout 21
14 99 30:49 Meagan Dennison 24
15 101 30:50 Sarah Maxwell 21
16 107 31:21 Jordan Burner 21
17 111 31:33 Ashleigh Disler 21
18 113 32:03 Carly Perry 21
19 114 32:31 Rebecca Messer 23
20 117 32:37 Lauren Stephens 21
21 118 32:38 Melanie Peggs 24
22 121 32:47 Kristin Turmel 21 Knoxville TN
23 124 32:56 Leslie Reynolds 21 High Point NC
24 127 33:21 Allison Calfee 21 Knoxville TN
25 129 33:30 Patricia Dimatteo 21
26 132 33:36 Wei Chen 24
27 141 34:39 Kati Zook 21
28 150 37:19 Ashley Jordan 23 Knoxville TN
29 151 37:19 Cheyenne Summers 21 Knoxville TN
30 159 43:01 Rebekah Freed 21
31 160 43:02 Amanda McIntyre 21
32 161 43:09 Lindsey Barnard 21 Knoxville TN
FEMALE AGE GROUP: 26 - 30
1 31 24:04 Julie Tyler 30
2 65 27:24 Grazia Todeschini 30
3 90 30:03 Ashley Golden 26
4 135 34:04 Jessica Shafer 28 Knoxville TN
5 140 34:24 Maneesha Mohan 26
6 168 48:01 Lisa Trent 30 Morristown TN
FEMALE AGE GROUP: 31 - 35
1 85 29:41 Beth Floyd 33 Knoxville TN
2 139 34:21 Sara Dunkel 31 Andersonville TN
FEMALE AGE GROUP: 36 - 40
1 54 26:20 Kelly Mann 36 Knoxville TN
2 61 27:11 Kim Spangler 40
3 95 30:22 Jennifer Ownby 36
FEMALE AGE GROUP: 41 - 45
1 18 22:11 Marsha Morton 45 Lafollette TN
2 146 35:54 Sarah Small 45 Alcoa TN
FEMALE AGE GROUP: 46 - 50
1 80 29:18 Fran Hahn 49 Knoxville TN
2 134 33:48 Lisa Oakley 48
FEMALE AGE GROUP: 51 - 55
1 144 35:25 Linda Conley 51
2 165 44:24 Cindy Krebs 53 Bean Station TN
3 169 48:20 Lori Young 52
FEMALE AGE GROUP: 56 - 60
1 152 37:23 Mary Leituaker 57 Knoxville TN
2 156 41:24 Nancy Williams 56 Johnson City TN
FEMALE AGE GROUP: 61 - 99
1 83 29:33 Jo Lay 73
Welcome Casey Littell
Posted on Oct 22, 2011
Food in The Fort welcomes our newest addition...
Casey Littell introduces "Dish on a Dime"
Casey Littell moved to Knoxville, TN in 1997 to attend the University of Tennessee and liked it so much that she just stuck around. She has worked in many diverse industries, but always comes back to cooking. It's what she does best! Casey is the owner of Hot Mama Soup, a gourmet soup delivery service here in Knoxville, and is active with Slow Food Knoxville.
Dish on a Dime is intended to help you make a delicious, healthy meal without a lot of time, money or fancy equipment involved. In each issue you will find a new recipe, complete with cost per item and cost per serving, that includes lots of wholesome ingredients that you can make with basic kitchen tools.
You can watch Casey's demonstrations each 1st and 3rd Wednesdays, 9.30 a.m. at Food in The Fort
Also, look for Casey's recipes to appear monthly in The Amplifier!
Homeless Running Club
Posted on May 23, 2011
Starting in June, Chelsea Knotts will be leading a running group including many homeless friends. The purpose of this group is to reach out to those in need by contributing to their overall welfare and by creating a body of people of which they feel they can be a part. Chelsea also has a goal for the people with which she'll be running: to train them for an upcoming 5K run during homecoming in the fall.
The funds raised from this race will go to benefit Redeeming Hope Ministries. Chelsea feels that this goal is worthwhile because it encourages those in the running group to race for their own cause. After the race, the hope is that more goals will be established in running and in other areas of life.
Interested in donating time, resources or running? Want to know more?
contact Chelsea Young at
Homeless Voter Registration Drive - Join Us!
Posted on May 05, 2011
YOU DON'T NEED A HOME TO VOTE
Redeeming Hope is initiating a Voter Registration Drive among our Homeless community
We belive that this year's Knoxville mayoral election is crucial in regards to Knoxville and
Knox county's commitment to developing a plan to end homelessness that has at it's core
the best interest of the homeless community at heart.
Our intent is to educate the homeless community on where the mayoral candidates stand
on issues that will directly effect them. For example: which candidates believe that your
having a home is an inalienable human right? Or which candidates will continue to push
for permanent supportive housing as a key component of the plan.
Want to volunteer? Want to know more?
contact Eddie Young at
.(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address)
Help support us… you can purchase an Amplifier T Shirt
Posted on May 05, 2011
Purchase an Amplifier T Shirt and show your support!
$10.00
Made of 100% pre-shrunk cotton.
Availabe sizes: S, M, L, XL, XXL
Yes!
The very same T Shirt that you'll see our vendors wearing can be yours...
To Order:
Simply proceed to "Make A Donation Now"
enter your size and mailing address in the "special instructions for seller" box
Don't do PayPal?
Just send you check or money order to:
Redeeming Hope Ministries
1642 Highland Ave
Knoxville, TN 37916
Please allow us 5 business days for delivery.
and remember, your purchase is tax-deductible.
Pics from our FIF/Beardsley Planting Party
Posted on Mar 14, 2011
February 19th
The first Food in The Fort seeds are planted!
We LOVE Beardsley Farms!
We had such a great turn out from the community.
Into the green house for some planting.
Beardlsey is greening up - you can feel Spring is almost here.
Receiving our instructions from Rachel.
Party Hats for our new FIF Interns, Caitlin, Shannon and Lauren.
Help with Food in The Fort Lunches
Posted on Jan 10, 2011
My name is Jess Wilkins. I'm the new girl at Food in the Fort and will be assisting Eddie Young in coordinating our gardens and leading the Food in the Fort lunches. Every second and fourth Wednesday of the month Food in the Fort hosts a lunch for our homeless and low-income families in the community. This year, however, we are trying to doing a bit more than just feed our friends.
Our goal is to try and make Wednesday lunches a time to look forward to by treating it not only as a lunch, but a special experience, much like when you go out to a restaurant. To turn Wednesdays into such a thing, we have decided to expand our menu and our dining experience. We will be serving meals such as paella, chicken artichoke pasta with rosemary, and fish tacos just to name a few. We will also set our tables with a vase of flowers or set of candles for a little ambiance. We will be ridding ourselves of paper plates/cup and plastic cutlery, not only because these things add to landfills but because real dishes and glasses and silverware just feel nicer, better, more dignified.
And the point is....(drum roll please)....Food in the Fort is looking for donations. We need used or new table clothes (to fit a large rectangular table), dishes, bowls, serving wear, silverware, glasses, vases and a CD Player. If you do not have any of these things but would like to make a donation you can do so via PayPal on this websit, or by designating your check to
Redeeming Hope Ministries, 1642 Highland Ave Knoxville, TN 37916
If you do have things you would like to donate please bring them by Redeemer and we will be happy to accept them. Our next lunch is this Wednesday, January 12th. This is not a deadline; we will happily accept all donations after this date, but are hoping to acquire most donations as soon as possible. To help you know how to contribute, we normally plan on anywhere from 30-50 guests.
Thank you for all your continued support and prayers.
--
Best,
Jess Wilkins ( .(JavaScript must be enabled to view this email address))
Redeeming Hope Ministries
Food in the Fort Gardens Coordinator
Christmastime Food in the Fort
Posted on Dec 23, 2010
Christmas cheer was spread on this freezing winter morning when over 100 people came to the Christmas Food in the Fort, of which about 35 were homeless. We were able to serve turkey, fresh venison, and holiday sides. Warm winter clothing was also given out along with toys for all the kids. Smiles were spread and spirits were raised through this simple time of fellowship and food.
Housewarming for Greg and Renarda
Posted on Nov 28, 2010
It's so nice to see a wonderful couple like this finally enjoy the comfort and security of their own place! Greg and Renarda welcomed a few friends over on Sunday to share their new home.
Gifts for the kitchen, bathroom and livingroom...
A little refreshment for a couple of partners in crime, lol!
Greg's excited about the oven! He says he does most of the cooking, we'll see.
Never trust a guy to pull off a housewarming... a few of the women who made it all happen...
Soon the Whitfield's will celebrate thier first Christmas in thier own home, and we hope and pray that it will be the first of many more to follow.
The Amplifier Launches
Posted on Nov 19, 2010
David Blankenbeckler's photo from the Metro Pulse
http://www.metropulse.com/news/2010/nov/17/amplifier-hits-knoxvilles-streets
Hours and hours of hard work by a very dedicated volunteer staff, culminated Friday evening as...
...Amplifier vendors hit the streets of downtown Knoxville determined to launch the paper that will tell their stories.
Thanks for ‘Raising Your Glass’ with us!
Posted on Sep 23, 2010
We hope that those of you who were able to attend our Wine Tasting had as much fun as we had putting it on!
We're already looking forward to next year's.
The S&W Grand was amazing! Beautiful space, delicious foods and first class service.
The Robyn James Trio! Fabulous music to drink wine to...
Thanks to our servers... you made our evening so enjoyable.
Our local artist donations were fabulous.
Hope to see you next year!
Greg and Renarda are getting into housing!
Posted on Sep 20, 2010
This Wednesday, Greg and Renarda sign the lease on their new apartment!
Greg and Renara are some of our most faithful volunteers - Greg is known for his turnip greens, not his athleticism 
they will no longer be numbered among Knoxville's homeless.
Only weeks away… The Amp!
Posted on Aug 21, 2010
Ever know what it's like to listen to a converstation about you, while you're in the room, and as if your weren't there? Well, our homeless friends and neighbors are finally getting the opportunity to contribute to the conversations regarding their plight.
Prepare to hear their voices and the voices of those who support and advocate for them on a local, national and global scale. Hear their stories, meet the person behind the face. Watch for Knoxville’s street paper – The Amplifier, to come out soon! When you support our vendors, you support their voice and provide them with a dignified way to earn an income.
Welcome to Redeeming Hope Ministry’s New Website!
Posted on Aug 21, 2010
Welcome… a place to learn and get involved.
The culmination of months of work, we are happy to present the new online home of Redeeming Hope Ministires. Our hope is that this site will facilitate a better understanding of the work of Redeeming Hope, as we strive to fulfill our mission of holistic transformation for the underprivileged adnd homeless of urban Knoxville.
We invite you to take a look and around and check back often, as we will continually update the site with upcoming news and events. We'll also keep you up to date with current ministry needs and opportunities to get involved. Be sure to also check out our blog for a closer look at the ins and outs of Redeeming Hope.
Lastly, feel free to contact us with any questions, comments or suggestions you might have as you get acquainted with the site.
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