MEOC Walkathon Sets Record

Community Raises over $158,000 in Community Event

The community raised a record amount of $158,610 at Mountain Empire Older Citizens’ 31^st Annual Walkathon on Sunday, May 6^th. The annual walkathon is always held the first Sunday in May. The proceeds from each walkathon benefit the Emergency Fuel Fund for the Elderly and are used to assist older people with home-heating related emergencies during the winter months.

Charles and Brenda Cave treated the walkers to some mighty fine burgers again this year. Charles and Brenda live in Mt. Carmel, Tennessee. They have volunteered their time for many years. We now claim them as our own special chefs. Thanks, Charles and Brenda for helping us again this year.

The walk began at 2 PM and culminated with a celebration picnic. The weather was perfect and the hamburgers prepared by Charles and Brenda Cave from Mount Carmel, Tennessee were the best ever.

Getting ready for the celebration picnic that follows the annual MEOC Walkathon are Scott County residents (from left) Ray Fields, Inez Fields, both of Gate City; Edith Mays of Nickelsville and Linda Gannaway, also of Gate City.

Dine Mullins of Coeburn and Jane Bailey of Nickelsville always show their support for Mountain Empire Older Citizens by participating in the annual Walkathon. They are pictured following the conclusion of the walk during the celebration picnic.

Every cent raised for the Emergency Fuel Fund for the Elderly is spent to help people 60 years of age or older with home heating needs. Payments are made directly to the heating vendor. The Emergency Fuel Fund begins operation October 1 and ends the following March 31^st.

MEOC Emergency Fuel Fund

In addition to the individual walkers who participated, eighteen community sponsors donated or raised $5,000 each for the annual walkathon. Those included AARP of Virginia, Alpha Natural Resources, Applebee’s of Norton, Friendship Ambulance, Heritage Hall of Big Stone Gap, Humphreys Enterprises, Lee Nursing and Rehabilitation Center, Lee Regional Medical Center, Mountain Empire Older Citizens, Norton City Schools, Old Dominion Power Company, Trinity Life Center Church, United Way of Wise County, Verizon, Wellmont Lonesome Pine Hospital, Wise County Board of Supervisors, Wolfe, Williams & Rutherford Law Office, and one sponsor who wishes to remain anonymous. Following the walk, United Health Care and Southwest Insurance Agency joined the team as co-sponsors of this year’s event. This brought the total to nineteen community sponsors.

Ida Bevins, the event’s oldest participant, pauses for a photo with, left to right, granddaughter Suzi Mullins of Norton and great-grandson Derek Greear, granddaughter Rhonda Greear and granddaughter Melissa Bevins, all of Coeburn. In front is great-granddaughter Serenity Mullins of Norton.

Words cannot truly express what it means to have such wonderful community support in raising money for the Emergency Fuel Fund for the Elderly. Because of the highly successful walkathon, MEOC can face the winter months knowing that we will be able to respond quickly to all elderly people trapped in weather related emergencies. On behalf of the elderly in our community, thank you for your assistance with the 31^st Annual Walkathon on May 6, 2007. Make plans now to join us at the May, 2008 Walkathon—an Appalachian Tradition.

Flag Pond Church of Blackwater was well represented at the 2007 Mountain Empire Older Citizens’ Walkathon in support of the Emergency Fuel Fund for the Elderly. Pictured are (left to right) Dwayne Barnett, Michael Collins, Candy Collins, Nettie Barnett, Patricia Barnett, Delmo Jesse, Ann Jesse, Jean Rhoton and Mildred Gilliam. Pictured in the front row wagon displaying the church’s design on the back of his t-shirt is Taylor Collins.

MEOC Walkathon Sets Record Community Raises over $158,000 in Community Event

MEOC Walkathon Sets Record

Community Raises over $158,000 in Community Event