Cogratulations, Sasha!

From the Dobyns-Bennett Lady Indians basketball team, Sasha Morrisette has signed a national letter of intent with Tusculum College of Greeneville, TN.

As a junior Morrisette averaged 18.8 points a game, and she has scored more than 15-hundred points in her career, along with 499 rebounds and 330 steals.

Congratulations to Sasha and her family on a job well done, with more basketball wizardry to come!

Spreading Holiday Cheer, Just Before Santa Spreads Even More!

It's the season of giving back, and for the New Vision Youth, it's yet another chance to give back to the community.

Just before the Santa Claus parade, the kids joined other youth groups from around the city, to get the the gifts that they would hand out to other kids in the crowd along the downtown parade route.

"Today is our annual help for the city of Kingsport, giving treats and things to the crowd at the Santa Claus parade," says New Vision Youth director Johnnie Mae Swagerty.  "We do this every year, working with the the Chamber of Commerce and Keep Kingsport Beautiful.. they ask us every year, along with other kids' organizations.  It's always a big project for us, and we do it with love and joy and thanks giving."

It's the 4th year the New Vision Youth kids have taken part in the gift bag giveaway.

"The kids will get about 4 or 5 backpacks and they'll go through the crowd with bags of fruit, giving them out to kids, ages 3 to 14 years old," says Swagerty.   "The backpacks are different colors for different age groups, and the other kids are glad to get them."

Swagerty says, the gift bag giveaway is in conjunction with the parade, but is part of a bigger program happening just before the parade.

"The Santa Claus Train goes through the coalfields giving out toys and gifts to the needy," she says.   "Just like many of the kids along the train route, some of the kids that come to the parade, may not hardly anything for Christmas, and they may not know that somebody is thinking about them.  We are, and that's why we volunteer to do this every year, after the train trip and during the parade.  We don't miss anybody.. we even go over to the area where the challenged kids are, that may be unable to catch any of the candy or gifts that are tossed out into the crowd."

Once the kids are done spreading holiday cheer, it's on to enjoying the parade themselves!

Kingsport Loves a Parade!

On the wonderful Santa Claus Train, Jolly Ole St. Nick has arrived in Kingsport!

Santa Claus made his annual trek through the streets of downtown Kingsport on Saturday, November 22.

Thousands of people lined the streets to greet Jolly Ole St. Nick, who had just gotten off the Santa Claus Train, another annual trek through Southwest Virginia. He delivered toys and goodies during the trip, and his elves (members of some of Kingsport's non-profit agencies), helped hand out the goodies along the downtown parade route.

Kingsport's Santa Claus parade is like its 4th of July parade. Long. It seems that nobody can get enough of it.

Folks 'oo'ed' and 'ah'ed at every passing car or float, as you would expect them to. Dozens of floats came down Main Street where the parade traditionally begins, after Santa and his train guest warm up the crowd. There was plenty to see and hear, as float after float came by. There were cars with dignitaries in them, to genuine floats sponsored by local businesses with people on them. There were military vehicles and veterans, but the high school ROTC marchers in formation, seemed to get the most applause.

There may have been just as many kids as adults along the route, eager to see the next big thing coming down the street. They were not disappointed. Cartoon characters, TV personalities, pretty ladies, and guys giving away handouts for pizza and local theaters. Make no mistake about it, though... it was the free candy the kids were after. Halloween can't hold a candle to the treats that a kid can get, as floats, exhibits and parade cars go by.




Minor mishaps do happen in any parade, and any time something other than candy was given out, it caused a small panic. Kids, with their parents on the fly, simply ran out into the street and up to the parade participant, eager to get the stuffed animal, or the candy doll, or the bright toy being given out. Despite the admonishment of the participant to 'don't run into the street, take your time, don't push, be careful.... not a single kid was wanting to hear that. All they could think about was the prize that awaited them. They were not disappointed!

Probably the best acknowledgement of the Kingsport Santa Parade was the realization that parades are indeed, all about children. Whether in New York City or Kingsport, Tennessee, the children are the most important recipient of the day's efforts. The most prime example of that, was when the bag containing one small child's candy, accidently burst, spilling candy, chocolates, toys and goodies onto the street, right in the middle of the parade route. This long parade came to an immediate halt, while grownups gathered and scooped up all the goodies into a new bag. The end of the parade got ahead, but not one event vehicle moved, until all of the items were put back into the bag for the child, who was glad to get everything back.

You won't find the big-city parades willing to hold up an entire procession, for the sake of one child and his candy!

It's a safe bet that just about everybody in Kingsport was on hand for the Santa Claus parade. For the ones who could not attend, enjoy these pictures, plus videos of the Sullivan South, Sullivan North and the Dobyns-Bennett High School bands!

SEE THE SLIDE SHOW OF THE 2014 KINGSPORT SANTA CLAUS PARADE BELOW

Great Commission Church's Pastor Anniversary

Members of the Great Commission Church in Kingsport gathered on Saturday night, November 22, 2014, to commemorate the 12th anniversary of Pastor Matthew Thomas and First Lady Pamela Thomas.

The celebration was held in the Douglass Community Room at the V.O. Dobbins Sr. Complex.

The church, located at 1249 Chestnut Street in Kingsport, has more than 70 faithful members.. its motto is: "Where Everybody is Somebody, and Jesus is Lord!"

At the get-together, church members and friends were treated to music, and a scrumptious meal that included wings, both hot and mild, glazed meatballs and sandwich meat combinations.

A good time was had by all!







Click on the link below to see a slide show of:

Created with flickr slideshow.

Former East Tennessee Resident Dr. Rosemary Gray to Retire from West Texas A & M

Dr. Rosemary Gray is a graduate of Douglass High School, Kingsport


Former longtime Johnson City resident Dr. Rosemary Gray, chief diversity and inclusion officer at West Texas A&M University in Canyon, Texas, has announced her retirement from a long and successful career of more than 30 years in higher education as an administrator, educator and community leader. Her retirement will begin after the first of the year.

Dr. Rosemary Gray was appointed August 1, 2013. Prior to this appointment, she served in a variety of capacities at many universities and campuses across the country.

In addition to her current and previous administrative positions, she has served as a public school teacher of English and department chair, adjunct faculty, and instructor at various public schools, community colleges, and universities in the District of Columbia, Tennessee, and Virginia. She has also served as a diversity consultant to public schools, city governments, a state task force on African American males, and has chaired university diversity task forces, advisory groups, and a committee on Black graduation rates for Black student-athletes. Dr. Gray has presented at the National Association for Multicultural Education (NAME), and other national, regional and local diversity conferences. Dr. Gray also received a 2010 Louisiana Most Powerful Woman Award from the National Council on Diversity.

Dr. Gray has worked at WT to promote and increase diversity and inclusion through campus collaborations to support recruitment and retention of under-served and underrepresented students as well as helping with efforts to build a diverse faculty and staff.

She is a native of Southwest Virginia and Northeast Tennessee and holds an A.A. Degree in Liberal Arts from Morristown College, a B.A. Degree in English from Emory & Henry College, a M.A. Degree in Education from Catholic University, and an Ed.D. Degree in Educational Leadership and Policy Analysis from East Tennessee State University.

“I have had a wonderful experience at WT,” Gray said. “Dr. O’Brien and his wife Karen are the best that I have seen when it comes to building community on a University campus.”

Her community interests are health education and revitalization of minority communities economically and educationally along with multicultural awareness training and skill-based diversity training for increased understanding of the benefits of workforce diversity.

“My future plans are to enjoy my family. I have an adult son, and I am the Glam Mom of one very special Chihuahua, Savannah Rose. Eventually, I will do some writing about my career in secondary and postsecondary education, women, and diversity.” Gray said. “West Texas A&M University has been a wonderful experience for me as it gave me an opportunity to assist students, faculty, staff, and the community with diversity and inclusion.”

“Dr. Rosemary Gray has done an excellent job during her time at WTAMU establishing and developing a foundation for us to fulfill better our mission of being a diverse and inclusive student-centered community of learners. She will be missed.” J. Patrick O’Brien, University president, said.

An interim will fill the position while a national search is conducted to fill the role of Chief Diversity and Inclusion Officer.

Marching in an "Oasis" of Change: Empowering Women with One Woman's Story

Marching for a wonderful cause, brought together civic leaders and local Kingsport residents on Saturday, November 15th..

The subject of the march is an "oasis" of hope for women through love, laughter... and laundry.

"We're marching to support 'The Oasis of Kingsport,' says former Kingsport Mayor Jeanette Blazier, who walked alongside new Sullivan County mayor Richard Venable.  "This walk is helping to spread the word to women in the Kingsport community that they have a place to get direction they might need in their lives."

"The beauty of that is.. they can get that direction, while their laundry is being done."

"We're always looking for people who themselves are looking for something more than what they have," says Oasis of Kingsport director Kermit Addington.  "We're trying to show them that it is possible to find it.. that it is not a lost cause.  We invite anyone who can benefit from the outreach to come in."

The march began at the corner of East Center Street and Dale Street and, with a police escort, ended at the Oasis building on East Sullivan Street, near the intersection with Main Street.

"It is wonderful to see the folks waving as we walk along," says Mayor Blazier during the march.  "Their interest is being stirred up, and hopefully word of mouth will spread about the center.  It's amazing to me that it's been here for such a short time and it's already known."

The Oasis' journey to Kingsport has been a fortunate one.  Patterned after a similar program called "The River" in Johnson City, in its short existence in the Model City, more than 170 women have come through the doors.  They come from all walks of life.. White, Black, Latino, Asian-American.. with children, without them..

All of them with something missing in their lives.  Searching.  Hearing the word "no" a lot.  Not knowing where to turn.

One person who has been in that situation, stopped by the open house at the Oasis at the end of the march. Lia Brown met and greeted marchers and center supporters with one of her sons, a 7-year old.  The transplant from Boston, Mass and single mom says, the Oasis is helping turn her life around.

"I had seen a flyer about it at the WIC office," she says.  "I didn't think too much about it, until I told my mom 'I need some money for laundry.'  I didn't know it, but Johnnie Mae (Swagerty) had told my mom about it, and my mom says you can go wash clothes at the Oasis cheaper than a laundromat.  I was like 'OK, cool."

Brown is raising twin, 14-year old boys, and the 7-year old by herself.  Both 14-year olds play football.  The 7-year old wants to.

"I have three boys," she says.  "We have lots of laundry."

"We always have laundry."

It only took her a few trips to the Oasis to find out what she liked about it.. and it was something more than just an inexpensive 50-cents washing and drying a ton of clothes.

"It's the fellowship," she says.  "Other women like me are doing laundry here and we talk about each other's situations.  We advise each other, support each other, and gain an empathy for each other's problems.  We rejoice in the ups, and console each other in the downs.  If you need a prayer request, you'll find lots of support..we all prayed together just the other day, and it was so uplifting.  When the kids are in school, it's so good to come down here in the morning, get the laundry done, take part in the ministry and the fellowship, and get caught up on the lives of the other women I have met."

"It's important to have someone to talk to sometimes," Brown says.

Brown says, she was impressed by the way the Oasis staff cares for the women here.  No men are allowed inside during business hours.  The front door is also locked during that time.

"Everybody is safe in here," she says.  "A lot of women don't like going to the laundromats because they are not always safe.  I can't do laundry at night because I am there for my kids when they come home from school, so the daytime is the only time I get to do it.  I don't dare go to the laundromats.  Lots of times, if it's raining or cold outside, people would come in that were homeless, or for some other reason.  I don't know if it's a pickup thing, but total strangers that aren't washing clothes want to talk to you.  Sometimes, you get uncomfortable with people you've never met before, trying to talk to you.  I just don't feel safe there."

And then, there's the price of doing laundry at the Oasis of Kingsport.  25 cents per load.  It may be the best laundry bargain in town.

"For about 50 cents, you get the washing powders, the bleach, the dryer sheets, and sometimes, the staff will even help you fold the clothes," Brown says.  "If you have to use the washers and dryers at some of the laundromats and the apartment complex, it's more than triple that cost.  If you're on a budget, there's no wiggle room.  A lady told me last week that the money she saves on laundry here, she was able to save enough money to buy her kid some shoes.  That's just awesome.  Here, you get the laundry done and the ministry as well, and some of us need that.  You gotta have that.. sometimes, you just need the encouragement."

Center Director Kermit Addington says the center has served about 175 women so far, and he says, thankfully, that number is growing.  The center volunteers have outfitted the Oasis of Kingsport with many amenities, including a kitchen area, a standup shower, a hair shampoo area, a lounge and a prayer area.  There's even a play area for the pre-school kids.  Washers, dryers and other appliances have either been donated, or repaired slightly used.  Food, washing materials are all donated, too.  "We want the women to not have any pressure on themselves at all," he says.  "This place has the comforts of a home away from home, because only in a comfortable atmosphere, can women in need be empowered to help themselves."

Brown herself has used the center's computer, provided free of charge.

"I had to get on the computer here to do a survey that was needed for my youngest son," she remembers.  "It was important to be able to provide that feedback to the school.  If you don't take the surveys, you don't have a voice in your child's education.. you end up taking whatever decision the school makes for the child."

"They won't let you take a survey in person because they want a record of it," she says.  "Through the computer here, I was able to be that voice for my son."

Reality is difficult in a changing world.  Brown says, the Oasis of Kingsport helps her face that reality often.

"Reality is a mess," she says.  "You're like, 'I gotta get these bills paid, I gotta get these kids to school, I gotta get this laundry done.'  As a single parent, you try not to stress out in front of the kids.. the mornings are hard.  Once they get off to school, the reality sets in...OK, what do I need to do?  The Oasis makes that reality a lot better to deal with.  If you don't have wash to do, you can come in and just get recharged, re-energized."

Despite the crowd at the Open House, the bulletin board at the Oasis is always busy.

"Not everybody gets the newspaper to see what's going on," Brown says.  "On the bulletin board, folks put up different flyers and business cards about programs and services in the area to help them out, different church events and prayer ministries.  There's a special heating program, an energy-assistance program for the winter at V.O. Dobbins that I learned about from the bulletin board.  I'm going over to get an application."

"There's always somebody looking at the bulletin board to see what's new."

Temperatures in the 30's probably kept many people from taking part in the march for the Oasis on this day, Saturday in the middle of November.  Bright sunshine and an eagerness to spread the word about the center, definitely brought out the faithful.

"It truly is an oasis for many of the women in our community who don't have places to wash their clothes, can bring their children and be at a place to find inspiration, study, lessons about nutrition, sewing, life skills, you name it," says former Mayor Jeanette Blazier.

It's no secret the Oasis of Kingsport is making a difference in the lives of women in need.  Lia Brown says, she's among the living testimonies of women, whose lives have been changed for the better.

"Come find us at the Oasis," she beckons to other women lost in the throes of reality.  "We've been where you are... and we are right where you need to be."

Notice of Alumni Board Meeting

Ths Sons and Daughters of Douglass Alumni Board will meet on Saturday, Dec. 6.2014. in the Eastman Board Room at 1:00 P.M., at the V. O. Dobbins, Sr. Complex. 

The meeting is very important.  Please bring someone with you.


Doug Releford
Alumni Board President

2014 Thanks for Giving: An Early Countdown to Christmas for Many Kingsport Families

Kingsport's Christmas cheer just got kickstarted with the annual Thanks for Giving event.

Saturday, November 15th, was the one day when love and compassion take action for area families.  Born from the Kingsport Junior League's former 'Bargain Bonanza, the Thanks for Giving event has a wonderful holiday twist.

Every item is free of charge.

"I just got the idea one day ''why don't we just do something different and give the items away?'" says director Tammy Street.  "I had done many volunteer hours with the 'Bargain Bonanza' and it bothered me that there was still a need in the community for families who may be struggling to provide Christmas gifts for their families.  With help and encouragement from friends, we put the first one together 9 years ago, and we had more than 300 people stop by."

"Every year, it just grows and grows."

Although the event is held once a year and the doors open at 8 AM, visitors were lined up at the Kingsport Civic Auditorium at 5:30 before sunrise.  A wonderful selection of gift items and ideas awaited them.

"There's kids clothing, adult clothing, books, music, furniture, even household items," Street says.  "All of our items are donated, either new or gently used.  We go through everything, and it's all put to good use.  A lot of people just need a pair of shoes, but they can't afford them.  Their kids need a nice, warm coat, but they can't afford them.  Mama or Daddy needs a warm, comfortable sweater or a pair of slacks, but the store prices keep them from being able to get them.  We don't forget shoes.. some folks just can't afford new shoes right now, because they're trying to budget around buying other gifts.  We try to help them, because what they don't have to buy here, they can maybe purchase something for somebody else, closer to Christmas."

"They are why we're here," she says.  "They are why we do this."

Visitors are not limited.  Street says, any person in the area who has a need, comes by and the group does whatever it can to meet that need.  "It could be parents, single parents, or grandparents raising their grand-kids on a fixed income.  The need is there.  They can't afford to buy extra coats or extra shoes or themselves, or even toys for the kids for Christmas."

"That's where we try to help."

The Thanks for Giving event could not be accomplished without the help of a dedicated set of volunteers.

"We put the entire program together in the week before the big day," she says, "and I'd dare say we spend about 2,000 volunteer hours gathering items, sorting them, organizing, and also lining the clothing into sizes.
An example of the volunteer giving spirit, happened the day before the event this year.  Some of our volunteers helping us organize, noticed that we were low on kids' winter coats.  They went away and came back with a van-load of brand new coats that they purchased for us to give away.  That says a lot about the love that our volunteers have for the people of the community."

The volunteer list gets bigger every year, too.

"Folks will hear about 'Thanks for Giving' and once they volunteer, many people come back year after year," Street says.  "They tell us that this event is their Christmas.  This is their way of giving back to the community.  It feels good knowing that you can do that, to help a family enjoy a nice holiday season, just makes it worth it.  I can't say enough about how great our volunteers are."

"We just couldn't do it without them."

A stroll through the Thanks for Giving aisles is like department store shopping.. except for one thing.

There's no checkout line.

"We have volunteers that we call 'runners' who will escort each family into the shopping areas," says Street. "They talk to them, find out their needs, their sizes, and what they're looking for.  The runners get to know the families, and that helps match up the right items to the right person.  If they're not sure, the runners offer suggestions that the families appreciate.  Everybody just takes their time, and it becomes a memorable moment at a wonderful time of the year."

The kids are not left out of the festivities.  That's where Jolly Ole St. Nick comes in.

"The kids get to tell Santa how good they've been this year," Street says.  "None of Santa's kids have been naughty, so everybody gets a nice toy.  We've got a big selection, and nobody is disappointed.  To see the joy on the children's faces with a new toy or a new book, sitting on Santa's lap.. it means a lot.  Some of the kids will tell us 'we've never had a Christmas tree' and they 're jumping up and down seeing the ones here.  Some parents tell us trees are a luxury that sometimes they can't afford, but the kids get to experience it here, and that's important."

"We also have a gift shop that only the kids can go into.. no parents allowed," says Street.  "Inside, the kids can shop for their parents, grandparents, brothers, sisters, aunts, uncles, or other relatives.  We gift-wrap the items and everything's ready to go.  The children come out amazed and their faces are just lit up."

Those happy faces extended to their parents, too.

None of the items are wasted.  "We donate to several organizations around the area," says Street. "Everything is put to good use."

And as the doors close, efforts begin for next year's event.  "We start collecting items for next year almost immediately," she says. "One of our volunteers has a storage building, and he graciously lets us keep things there for the next year.  It's a lot of work, but just knowing that people look forward to it, that this one event might make Christmas a little easier, makes it all worth it."

Street says, it's a blessing to be able to bring Christmas to families that need a little cheer.  Being able to share their own blessings, keeps volunteers coming back, year after year.

And judging from the smiles from the parents and the happy faces on the children, the Christmas giving spirit has arrived in Kingsport.

Last stop.... Christmas Day.

"I can't explain it.. it's the best feeling in the world," says Street.  "Nobody ever wants to miss it."

Water project will close Dunbar Street through Friday

• KINGSPORT — Dunbar Street will be closed from Douglass Street to Carver Street today through Friday for the installation of a water line.

The nature of the work will require a complete road closure throughout the project.

Work will take place from 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. each day, with Dunbar completely closed between 317 and 327 Dunbar.

Residents will be required to enter from either end of the closure for the duration of the project.

Please take every possible precaution when driving near the work zone.

D-B Playoff Tickets Are On Sale

 • KINGSPORT — Dobyns-Bennett football playoff tickets are now on sale today in the DB Athletic Office.

They will be sold from 8 a.m. to 3 p.m. through Thursday and from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m. on Friday.

Reserved season ticket holders may purchase their seats today and Tuesday, and on Wednesday, all tickets are open to the general public.

Walk for the Oasis

PLEASE COME OUT AND SUPPORT THIS WORTHWHILE AGENCY IN OUR NEIGHBORHOOD!

Gents to Gentlemen Pageant Moved

The annual Gents to Gentlemen Pageant, sponsored by the New Vision Youth and Kingsport Parks and Recreation, has been moved to May of 2015.

Please watch for further information.

Douglass Alumni Fundraiser: "Winging" It with Something Deliciously "Fishy!"

Friends, neighbors and Douglass alumni, all of them hungry, stopped by the Douglass ballfield on Saturday, October 19,2014, to fill their tummies and help a good cause at the same time.

It was a late summer fundraiser for the Sons and Daughters of Douglass Alumni Association.

Folks feasted on delicious whiting fish, fried to a gentle, tender, delicate condition by master chef Andrew Watterson, and served either as a sandwhich, or with baked beans, potato salad and cole slaw as a dinner.

So many people asked for chicken wings at the last fundraiser, that fresh wings were also fried up and served as either a sandwich or dinner.

Soft drinks and cool water were also offered on the side, along with cupcakes baked by alumnus Judy Blye.

The kick of a breezy wind did not cool down spirits of folks, who just put on something extra to block out any chill, but everybody left happy....

And FULL.

We had previously warned folks to come early and come often, and as predicted, the food ran out about 4 PM (after an 11 AM start).  As things were being packed up, folks were still walking up, needing those fish and chicken wings.

A big, hearty THANKS to everybody who stopped by.  The fellowship was wonderful!

Proceeds from the fundraiser go to further programs, scholarships and day-to-day activities of the Sons and Daughters of Douglass Alumni Association of Kingsport, a non-profit charitable corporation chartered by the Tennessee Secretary of State's office and designated a 501 (c) 3 charity by the Internal Revenue Service.

MORE PICTURES FROM THE FUNDRAISER BELOW!

Alumni 2014 Fall Fish-Wings Fundraiser - Video Maker

Community Cleanup in South Central

• KINGSPORT — South Central Kingsport Community Development Inc. will host a neighborhood cleanup Saturday beginning at 9 a.m.

The cleanup area includes Riverview, Oak/Myrtle streets, Sullivan Street, Dale/Maple streets, East Sevier Avenue, and the Borden Park and Cloud Apartments areas. 

Volunteers should meet at the Splash Pad on Martin Luther King Drive at 9 a.m. 

This volunteer project can provide students with the community service volunteer hours they need for graduation. 

Residents of the area should have all the items they want to discard on the curb by 9 a.m. Do not put out garbage cans. 

For more information, contact Johnnie Mae Swagerty at (423) 429-7553.  

Tennessee's Least Racial Diverse Cities

Among almost 100 Tennessee cities, those with the biggest share of white residents and the least racial diversity are:

• 1. Mount Carmel, in upper east Tennessee, 97.8 percent white

• 2. Signal Mountain, a suburb of Chattanooga, 97.5 percent white

• 3. Lafollette, in upper east Tennessee, 97 percent white

• 4. Church Hill, in upper east Tennessee, 96.6 percent white

• 5. Greenbrier, a Nashville suburb, 96 percent white


Source: U.S. Bureau of the Census, 2010 census and American Community Survey

The Oasis of Kingsport: An Island in the Sea of Confusion for Women

Many women face difficult times in our economic society.

Problems with money.. problems with raising kids.. problems with men.

Being single, trying to get back (and stay on) their feet is even more difficult.

That's where the Oasis of Kingsport comes in.

"We provide items that women can use, both physically, mentally and spiritually, that can help women to become self-sufficient," says Oasis director Kermit Addington. "Empowering women through love, laughter and laundry.. that's how we do it."

That's the motto of the Oasis of Kingsport, and it comes with a very good role model.

"Our services are patterned after the ones offered by 'The River' in Johnson City," Addington says. "They are an outreach of the First Presbyterian Church there. They've been in operation for 10 years, and I called the lady over there up and said 'I'd like to come over and see what you all are doing..we'd like to start something like that up here in Kingsport. She said 'well you can come over, but you can't come in. Men are not allowed in during regular organization hours.' She did let me come by later though, and I liked what I saw.  The women can't stay overnight, but the ministry is there for most of the day."

 "At the time, Kingsport didn't have anything like it."

It took three years to get the idea off the ground in the Model City.

"Because of timing, I wasn't able to start the concept here in 2011," Addington remembers, "so in the meantime, I started the "Friends and Neighbors" program, the transitional housing problem. That kept me busy non-stop, but I always had a soft spot for the Oasis idea, and kept it in the back of my head. My daughter passed away a year ago, and I needed time to grieve. Right around the first of the year, I reminded myself that 'I'm getting old and I've still got one more thing to do."

"First one donation, then another," he added. "All of a sudden, we're off and running and moving along. On the first of April, we got the first stick of furniture, and on June 16th, we opened the doors. We quickly found out that this was the right time to start this ministry. Three years ago, it just wasn't a good time."

"We're not asking the women for anything," says Addington. "For a load of clothes to be washed at a very reasonable price, we can help them make the decision to help themselves. We only charge a quarter for everything. Think about it.. on the open market, a load of clothes will wash and dry for about five dollars. By the time you add detergent and the fabric softener, you're looking at at least 10 dollars or more. Here, it's 25 cents for everything, and while it's happening, you get the chance to better yourself from whatever condition your life is in.

"For what we offer," Addington says, "we could be the best deal in town."

The building on E. Sullivan Street housing "The Oasis of Kingsport" was nothing but bare walls, when Addington first found it back in the late spring-early summer of 2014.

"There's an interesting story to this building," he says. "I'd looked all over downtown for a building, because this is a downtown ministry, I thought," he says. "Anything you could find was about 900 dollars a month and I didn't have much money. I happened to drive by here and saw the "for lease" sign, and thought 'well, I'll drop in.' The owner showed me around, and it was just bare walls. The more I looked around, the more I liked it, and I told him what I wanted to put in the building, the ministry and the mission work, and I asked him what the rent would be.. I'm thinking it's probably 900 dollars just like everywhere else. He says, 'well, let me think about it and call me in the morning."

"The next morning, I called and he says, 'well what do you think?,' recalls Addington. "I said 'I'd really like to have it.. what rent did you come up with?' I was still thinking it was going to be way out of any price range I had. He says, 'how about if you have it for free until the first of the year?' I said, 'oh my, thank you very much, that would be great!"

"Come to find out later in talking with his wife, they had been praying for 3 months what they could do to serve God better," Addington says. "They'd had some rough times in life and he accepted Christ and it turned his life around. He told me what a good feeling it is, to see the women in need of Christ, coming in and knowing that they're leaving with the Spirit of God in them, 'empowering' them to do better with their lives. That's a powerful message. "He's part of that, in a way that he could never have imagined."

"That's how we got the building. God sent us this building."

TAKE A TOUR OF THE OASIS OF KINGSPORT BY CLICKING THE PLAY BUTTON BELOW:

Days at the Oasis of Kingsport are full of inspiration, joy, laughter, and of course.. lots of laundry.

"This is a place to come and experience Christian fellowship," says Addington. "It's a positive atmosphere. We'll sit down and we'll listen and we'll counsel you, and we will not judge you. You can help us by just following the rules and making a positive attempt to better yourself. That's our goal and our mission. We want you to become somebody."

So far in the short life of the Oasis, 75 women have come through the doors to experience the fellowship while the wash gets done.

"Out of that 75, we have a 90 per cent retention rate," Addington says proudly. "They have come back at least once, and then maybe a couple of times since their first time, and each time they're more positive about their outlook."

Success stories? The Oasis of Kingsport has plenty of those, too.

"So far, three women have been able to get jobs by working on the computer while doing laundry and hearing the ministry, which keeps their spirits and their confidence up," he says. "We've also had women coming in who live in cars because they could not afford housing when they first came to us. They were able to get more secure housing once they came in and became more stable. In terms of health care, we're partnering with the Providence Clinic at the First Baptist Church here in Kingsport, and we steer our ladies down there if they have a medical need. They can also take the Crossroads bus once a month to First Broad Street (United Methodist Church). Although we don't know of any abusive situation among our visitors, we do have women who have been in jail, and some with addiction problems. We do not drug screen, because again, we do not judge people."

Addington says the Oasis rules are not unreasonable.

"Rule number one.. respect your fellow person that's here.. do not take advantage of them. Number two, participate. Don't just wash your clothes and sit there. Of course, we don't allow alcohol or drugs or anything like that, and we don't have overnight facilities.. Also, no men are allowed inside during the hours of operation. When you come through the door and you agree to the rules, you can stay."

Not all the women coming through the door are in need of the spiritual help and encouragement. Many women volunteer their time to see to the needs of not only the clients, but also the needs of the ministry as well.

"17 churches in the Kingsport area are represented among our volunteers," Addington says. "The opportunity is there for anybody from any church to be here, if they'll just take the time to see how rewarding it is, how much the women appreciate it and what a blessing it is. Word of mouth helps us, and there is a certain degree of trust that gets built up between the clients and the volunteers. 90 per cent of the people who come through the doors for the very first time, have said 'I'd like to come back, if it's all right."

"Of course it is," Addington notes.

One area that is being targeted for the Oasis, is the very area that it is surrounded by. Many women in the Riverview community may not know the Oasis outreach ministry is right in their own backyard.

"We're not doing a very good job of letting African-American women know that we are here to help," says Addington. "We did get a visit from three women who found out about us they said while visiting the the food pantry at the First Christian Church in Colonial Heights. After they came by to visit, two of them sounded very interested in coming back. The third decided the "Oasis" wasn't for her, and that's going to be true sometimes. The program is not for everyone.. it can help you make positive choices in your life, but it doesn't force you to make those choices."

"That's why we reached out to the Douglass-Riverview neighborhood website," says Addington. "We want to let our next-door neighbors know that we are here, and that we can help. We really think that once they come in and will trust us, they'll benefit from it, and then they'll tell somebody else."

Addington says, the welcome mat is out to all women who are missing something in their lives.

"We want to help them find the confidence they need in this world. We'd love to have them 'graduate,' and then tell us 'see you around..you did a good job.'"

"That's really our goal," Addington says, "to not be here 10 years from now, and see all these empowered women with their heads held high, and self-sufficient."

"Here, you'll find love, laughter and laundry," he says. "We'll give you that and more, if you'll just trust us."

Blighted Areas of Kingsport

Will you help us clean up Kingsport?

Have you seen mattresses, old furniture or junk on the side of the road? Is there a house in your neighborhood that is deteriorating beyond normal wear and tear? Are there businesses you frequent with an over abundance of signs?

The Board of Mayor and Aldermen has asked for stepped-up code enforcement.

Are you aware of a tall grass violation?

You can (anonymously) report potential code violations 24 hours a day by calling 423-224-2633 (that's 423-224-CODE).

----Kingsport City Manager Jeff Fleming

Congratulations, New Vision Youth!

New Vision Youth with Blake Leeper at the Eastman Youth Runs.

The group received a check for having the most participants!

New Vision Youth volunteering at Susan G Komen Race on October 5, 2014

Douglass Alumni Board Meeting Saturday!

Douglass alumni.. don't forget board meeting Saturday afternoon at 1 PM, in the Eastman Board Room in the V.O. Dobbins Sr. Complex non-profit tower.

We'll discuss the upcoming reunion next, plus a special surprise at the end of the meeting!

Sons and Daughters of Douglass Board Meeting Saturday

Please don't forget the Sons and Daughters of Douglass, Inc. Board of Directors and all interested alumni will meet on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2014 at 1:00 p.m., in the Eastman Board Room on the 2nd floor of the V.O. Dobbins Sr. Complex on Louis Street in Riverview.

The meeting is very important, we will be discussing details for the up coming Reunion for 2015.

All members are needed we will need imput and ideas from every one. Please try to attend and bring someone with you.


Douglas S. Releford