At N Her Footsteps, we are driven by our mission to support and empower our community, especially the students and educators of Jefferson County. Our impact over the past months reflects our commitment to making a meaningful difference, one step at a time. From our launch in July to our community-focused initiatives in August, we've been able to create positive change thanks to the unwavering support of our donors, volunteers, and partners. Here's a look at how we've impacted lives so far.
October
October was a busy and impactful month for N Her Footsteps! We hosted our first volunteer event, the EmpowerHer Kits Assembly, where 11 volunteers helped assemble 276 kits—just shy of our goal of 300! Along with the kits, we collected 5 packs of panties, 8 pairs of leggings, and provided lice kits at the request of the Jefferson County Nursing Supervisor. These items were distributed to Jefferson Elementary, Jefferson Middle, Jefferson County High School, and the Patriot Academy. We also launched registration for our first annual Bundle Up and Pack Up event in partnership with Martha Davis Baptist Church, where we’ll provide warm clothing and school supplies. We're now seeking volunteers, donations, and sponsors to make this event a success for our community.
November
In November, N Her Footsteps continued building community together by participating in JT's Christmas, where we provided holiday gifts for a teenage student in Jefferson County. We were honored to receive a grant from the Jefferson Health Care Foundation, a fund of the East Tennessee Foundation, to support our upcoming Bundle Up and Pack Up event. Our partners, Martha Davis Baptist Church, generously contributed a monetary donation, along with support from sponsors including Knoxville TVA Employee Credit Union and Steven Hull Insurance Agency. Additionally, we received a generous in-kind donation from Bush Brothers of 950 lbs of beans, valued at over $1,100, and 10 $25 gift cards from Publix. These contributions bring us closer to meeting the needs of our community this winter.
December
In December, we closed registration for the Bundle Up and Pack Up event on December 9th, exceeding our original goal of serving 150 students. Due to overwhelming demand, we stretched our capacity to serve 195 students and 88 families. On December 14th, we hosted an organizing day to prepare snack packs, school supplies, and beanie/glove sets for the January 4th event. This effort was supported by Martha Davis Baptist Church, our board members, and family, demonstrating our commitment to meeting community needs.
January
January marked the culmination of months of planning and preparation as we hosted our first annual Bundle Up and Pack Up event! With the incredible support of our partners, Martha Davis Baptist Church, and a dedicated team of over 30 volunteers, we served 45 families and 103 children with warm clothing, school supplies, and nutritious food boxes. Despite the chilly weather and seasonal illnesses impacting attendance, those who came were met with smiles, support, and an outpouring of community love. Special thanks to all the generous sponsors and volunteers who made this event possible. The success of this event demonstrated the strength and compassion of our community and set a powerful precedent for future initiatives.