Akima Members in Action…
Sertoma Friendship Dinner at World’s Fair amphitheater Tuesday in May, 2021. Among many Akima members serving were Tamera McDowell, Joy McCabe, Angie Arnett, Kay Nowinski, Sally Pardue and Karen Looney.
“Akima has been a supporter since the 1970’s and is our longest running community partner. The highlight of our client’s year is the Annual Christmas party and Akima has been helping for over forty years.” Steve Causey – Leisure Services Director for ARC – Sunshine Industries
“An Akima grant most recently provided funding for a Safe Refuge Room to give protection to clients in the event of a fire for sixty minutes or until a fireman can get them to safety. Akima Club has been a good friend to Sertoma and grants have provided many things that could not have been afforded.” Joan O’Kane – Director of Development, Sertoma Center
“Akima Club is an essential part of our volunteer body. We can’t do without them!” Linda Evans – Random Acts of Flowers
Akima has supported Ronald McDonald House since the doors opened. Stellar volunteers…Loving Support…We love you, Akima!” Sue Beverly – Executive Director, Ronald McDonald House Knoxville
“For several nights in October, Akima members hand out candy and treats to evening zoo visitors.” Boo at the Zoo
“Akima volunteers spend several days a week arranging and delivery flowers to assisted living facilities and nursing homes. We also have a yearly vase collection drive to supplement the inventory at RAF.” Random Acts of Flowers
“Homemade dishes for holiday meals are provided by Akima members for those families unable to be at home. You will also find us decorating the House every Christmas. In February, members donate the food and staff their Beat the Winter Blues fundraiser.” Ronald McDonald House
“Every October, our members facilitiate registration at West Town Mall for the Knoxville Race for the Cure.” Race for the Cure
“Volunteers help year-round at Helen Ross McNabb Center in the Therapeutic Pre School, Healthy Families Workshops and by volunteering at Cupcakes in the Park and Clayfest Fundraisers.” Helen Ross McNabb
“Akima volunteers give many hours helping out the nationally recognized Challenger Tennis Event that benefits the Helen Ross McNabb Center.” Challenger Tennis
“Akima give of themselves by sharing the warmth in our annual Coats for the Cold clothing drive. We donate used coats and warm outerwear in October for free distribution by Knox Area Rescue Ministries (KARM).” Coats for the Cold
“For many years, Akima women have volunteered their time at the Evergreen Ball that benefits Friends of the Smokies.” Friends of the Smokies
What People Are Saying
“Akima has been invaluable. I just can’t put it into words. Thanks for giving back to the community.”
— Allison Taylor – Manager, Senior Nutrition, Knox County Mobile Meals
“Akima helps with family events and special treats. We appreciate their tender loving care.”
— Kristen Bradley – Services Coordinator, Helen Ross McNabb Center
“Akima Grants help provide nutritious food bags for children. Their kind donations of mittens, gloves and hats for kids, as well as their time volunteering at the pantry shows that Akima women are making an important difference in the lives of thousands in the community!”
— Jim Wright – FISH Hospitality Food Pantry and Community Chest Thrift Store
“In all honesty, they were quite simply the best company…and were so very willing to do whatever was asked. The artists and the AOL Committee were very complimentary of their efforts! If I had addresses I would send them each an individual note to let them know how much I appreciate them. Instead, I’ll send this to all of you at once to let you know I think Akima is THE BEST.”
— Helen Hewitt, Volunteer Coordinator for “Artists on Location” event for KMA
“Akima volunteers help at this event At the Tennessee Theater that benefits local teachers.”
— Reach to Teach
“From all of us at InterFaith, please accept this sincere thanks for making our 30th Anniversary “Doctors’ Letters” appeal possible last week. As these letters reach into all corners of our medical community, we hope they will bring forth a windfall of support for the uninsured working patients of our Clinic—many of whom may receive their COVID vaccinations as a result.
I can only guess how many times a month something great happens for a nonprofit group that is the direct result of an Akima effort. I bet that if a little bell rang each time, like in Peter Pan, this city would sound like Christmas all year round..”
— Elaine Evans, Development Assistant for InterFaith Health Clinic
“Akima volunteers are visible at all of the Sertoma Center fundraisers. We also coordinate client Christmas gifts in December. The Sertoma Center serves individuals with developmental disabilities.”
— Sertoma Center
“Our members deliver meals to those unable to cook for themselves. We have two routes per week.”
— Mobile Meals
“During the much-loved Knoxville Nativity Pageant, you will see Akima women acting as ushers before and during this reenactment of the Christmas Story at the Civic Coliseum.
— The Knoxville Nativity Pageant
“Our members are great animal advocates and volunteer as pet escorts at Black Tie and Tails, help at the K9 Cancer Walk , Boo at the Barn for Horse Haven, Dancing for the Horses, Salamander Ball and Zoofari.”
— Animal Advocates
“Akima club members help the Farragut Book Fest For Children in the concession area, crafts and the Akima Singers perform.”
— Farragut Book Fest for Children
“Club actives assist with several Symphony League fundraisers, including staffing the ticket sales table at the annual Symphony Showhouse.”
— Knoxville Symphony League
“Each month Akima members donate cupcakes for the monthly client birthday party and host the ever-popular Sunshine Christmas Party complete with lunch, dancing and Santa!”
— Sunshine Industries
“We volunteer at the HearthScares Walking Tours as well as the HearthScares Ball in October, and at Cherokee Heritage Days in June.”
— James White Fort
“Akima volunteers greet attendees and distribute shopping bags at this two-day event in October.”
— Food City Food Show
“Akima members are the main servers at the Restoration House for Women’s annual ‘thanks for volunteers’ luncheon.”
— Restoration House
“Our club members play an integral part in the volunteer efforts at the annual Foothills Craft Guild Show.”
— Foothills Craft Guild
“Active members of Akima connect with Akima Sustainers (members active 10 years or more) by planning and hosting several social gatherings during the year.”
— Sustainer Connection
I love Akima Because
“The Akima Club of Knoxville has provided valuable support for the smallest and sickest newborns at the University of Tennessee Medical Center over the past several years. There have been thousands of critically ill babies…”
— “Kim Massey – Neonatal Intensive Care Unit
“My name is Amanda Rader and I have been an extension member of Akima for several years now due to the time constraints of homeschooling my children. However, I was an active member of Akima for several years…”
— Amanda Rader
“The Restoration House has always had a focus on education with the single mothers who come into the program. It’s a focus because we know that for a single mother to provide for her children it takes…”
— Daniel Watson -CoFounder, The Restoration House of East TN