It startled me a little when veteran auctioneer Bear Stephenson jumped up on a dining room chair in the middle of selling something! But that’s how Bear is — he does what he has to to get the sale!
I continue to think that Volunteer Ministry Center has one of the most unusual fundraisers every year. It’s called “Wine & Shine.” Maybe the wine tasting part of it is not so unique. But the moonshine tasting definitely is!
Don’t get me wrong. You aren’t going to get very high on the moonshine! It literally is served in thimbles! I loved it, though, because I don’t often have the opportunity to taste moonshine — I mostly just hear about it in country songs on the radio! And what a variety we had at this event for a most worthy organization. Thanks to Sugarlands Distilling Co. for providing the goods.
Volunteer Ministry Center serves the more than 9,000 people in Knoxville who access homeless services every year. VMC’s programs support its two-fold mission of facilitating permanent supportive housing for those who are homeless and providing services to prevent homelessness. It operates under the “housing first” approach — which maintains that people need a place to live before they can address other serious issues like substance misuse and mental illness. And, at VMC, unlike at some other shelters, participants don’t have to “pray to stay” — they are welcomed without the necessity of participating in religious services.
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