Grateful Hearts

Mary Flipse, Scott Bolenbaugh, Jayne Harley

Marcie Smeck, Gayle Goodall, Anne Lewis Caina Lynch, Jenny Matthews Harry Allen, Pamela Sessions, Becca Fuqua

A welcoming day at the Renewal House Thanksgiving

For the first time in three years, friends and supporters of Renewal House filled the Omni Hotel for the return of the nonprofit’s signature Thanksgiving luncheon. Original board members were there and thrilled with the turnout and continuing success of the event that has drawn a notable crowd from nearly every sector of the city — healthcare, banking, volunteer and more — for 23 years.

Everyone quickly took their seats for the program emceed by WSMV4 news anchor Tracy Kornet and a thoughtful introduction from Board Chair Linda Marzialo. Just as a traditional holiday meal of turkey, dressing and sweet potatoes was served, there was a sweet performance by the Friends of Renewal House. The pint-sized trio took the stage and sang the traditional children’s gospel song “This Little Light of Mine” to a spellbound audience. Their performance was the first of several moving moments that afternoon.

Renewal House CEO Pamela Sessions spoke, and her leadership during the past six years has resulted in remarkable growth. Assets have grown from $4 million to $14 million; a new facility opened debt-free; and the former site is being rehabbed to provide affordable housing for program graduates. For her next project, Pamela announced that $1.5 million of the $2.5 million dollars needed to build an affordable child care facility on the property has been raised. Moving videos and testimonies from Renewal House clients gave a personal look at the life-changing work of the organization.

As the first, and still only, long-term provider of addiction treatment in Middle Tennessee where women and children could stay together and be cared for simultaneously, Renewal House has always been a unique and necessary program for those in need. The Thanksgiving luncheon is extraordinary in that it does not sell tickets to attend, but rather relies on the generosity of those in attendance. This year’s luncheon raised more than $250,000, breaking all previous records. That’s something to be grateful about!

BY HOLLY HOFFMAN PHOTOGRAPHS BY ERIC ENGLAND

Sean Baker, Luke Orren

Yolonda Brooks Robinson, LaShai Watson