May 5, 2015
May 5, 2015
For more information:
Scott Bird
Moxley Carmichael
865-544-0088
[email protected]
Bank donates $2,500 to Knoxville Internationals Network in Wyatt’s name
Home Federal Bank Executive Vice President Debra Smith (left) and President and CEO Dale Keasling name Joyce Cope Wyatt (center) a 2015 Hometown Hero at a ceremony at the bank’s Karns office May 5, 2015. Wyatt designated a $2,500 donation in her name to Knoxville Internationals Network, and Executive Director Carol Waldo accepted the funds on behalf of the organization.
Home Federal Bank named Joyce Cope Wyatt a 2015 Hometown Hero and presented a $2,500 donation in her honor to Knoxville Internationals Network at a ceremony at the bank’s Karns office, 7204 Oak Ridge Highway, on Tuesday, May 5.
Home Federal Bank’s Hometown Heroes community service awards program spotlights community volunteers who make East Tennessee a more comfortable place for all of us. They mentor our kids; support our seniors; advocate for our most vulnerable; care for our animals; expand our region’s cultural opportunities; and serve in other ways. Eight 2015 honorees were selected for their extraordinary volunteer efforts based on nominations from area nonprofits and the general public.
The honorees, chosen based on their volunteer work in our community, selected a local nonprofit for a $2,500 donation in their names. From these finalists, an overall honoree will have an additional $2,500 donation to his or her chosen nonprofit.
“This is the fifth year of the Hometown Heroes program, and each year I gain a renewed appreciation for our community’s volunteers,” Home Federal Bank President and CEO Dale Keasling said. “People like Joyce Cope, a lady with a heart for serving others, who gives God the credit for her long life of service and endless supply of energy, exemplify what it means to be a Hometown Hero.”
Wyatt is an 88-year-old bundle of energy who gives God the credit for her long life of service and continues to volunteer daily. Her 40-year career as a missionary professor took her to many Spanish-speaking countries, and today she volunteers throughout Knoxville in multiple capacities advocating for and addressing the needs of the growing Hispanic population. She helped organize “TU DIA” (Your Day), a day of learning and companionship for Hispanic/Latina women in Knoxville. She also volunteers with the leadership team of Knoxville Internationals Network with an emphasis on welcoming and facilitating the assimilation of internationals coming to Knoxville. She is very active in her church, Central Baptist Bearden, where she teaches Sunday school, adult Bible school and weekly Bible study; serves on the Missions Committee; and recently organized English classes for immigrants and refugees. She is busy starting a citizenship class there also.
“Hometown Heroes affords us the opportunity to recognize some commendable individuals,” Keasling said. “At the same time, the program also allows us to financially support many area nonprofits that do a lot of important work in our community.”
Knoxville Internationals Network Executive Director Carol Waldo accepted the donation. The faith-based organization helps internationals integrate with our community and lead lives of dignity, purpose and hope.
About Home Federal Bank of Tennessee
Home Federal Bank of Tennessee is a locally owned, full-service bank serving East Tennesseans through 23 offices in Knox, Anderson, Blount and Sevier counties. Every quarter since 1991, the bank has earned a 5-Star Superior rating – the highest possible – by independent authority BauerFinancial. For more information, visit http://www.homefederalbanktn.com.
