May 16, 2014
May 16, 2014
For more information:
Scott Bird
Moxley Carmichael
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Bank donates $2,500 to Light Mission Pentecostal Church in Ellis’ name
Home Federal Bank Executive Vice President Debra Smith (left) and President Dale Keasling name Robert Ellis (center) a 2014 Hometown Hero at a ceremony at the bank’s downtown Knoxville headquarters Friday, May 16. Robert Ellis designated his $2,500 award to Light Mission Pentecostal Church, and Sandra Fugate and Pastor Magwe Arthemon accepted the funds on behalf of the church.
Home Federal Bank named Robert Ellis a 2014 Hometown Hero and presented a check for $2,500 in his name to Light Mission Pentecostal Church at a ceremony at the Home Federal Bank downtown Knoxville headquarters on Friday, May 16.
In its fourth year, the Hometown Heroes program spotlights ordinary people who do extraordinary things for others and their community. Eight winners were selected for their extraordinary volunteer work based on nominations from area nonprofits and the general public.
A $2,500 donation is made in each honoree’s name to the nonprofit of his or her choice, and an overall winner of the eight finalists will have an additional $2,500 donation made in his or her name.
“This is the fourth year of the Hometown Heroes community service awards program, and I continue to be amazed at the tremendous work being done by dedicated volunteers who quietly serve in so many ways,” said Home Federal Bank President Dale Keasling. “People like Rob, whose volunteer efforts help make life better for immigrants and refugees who now call our community home, exemplify what it means to be a Hometown Hero.”
Ellis, a man with a heart for serving inner-city children, immigrants and refugees, leads the way in providing weekly Sunday school instruction to Burundi refugee children at the Light Mission Pentecostal Church in Lonsdale. Additionally, Ellis and his wife, Chris, work alongside the Knoxville Internationals Network and Cedar Springs Presbyterian Church in serving refugees through activities such as English as a Second Language (ESL) instruction, delivering baby furniture, providing transportation to appointments and mentoring. Ellis, head of Children’s Ministry Outreach, an organization that serves inner-city children, recently took his wife and six children to Orlando and the Dominican Republic for training in outreach ministry to inner city children, immigrants and refugees.
“Hometown Heroes affords us the opportunity to recognize some commendable individuals,” said Keasling. “Additionally, the program allows us to support many area nonprofits that do a lot of important work in our community.”
Pastor Magwe Arthemon and Ecumenical Task Force member Sandra Fugate accepted the donation on behalf of the church.
About Home Federal Bank of Tennessee
Founded in 1924, Home Federal Bank of Tennessee is a locally owned, full-service bank serving East Tennesseans through branches 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.
