President Sherry Hillis has selected Wesley House community Center as her project.  Wesley House was founded in 1907 by three United Methodist Women groups. Fast forward to today and Wesley House Community Center is a thriving organization serving Mechanicsville, Lonsdale and Beaumont communites. They have three areas of programming. The oldest is the youth development program, serving Kindergarten through 8th grade for afterschool and summer camp programming. The focus is on affordable, quality and accessible childcare. The second program is senior social support for senior citizens experiencing social isolation. A network is provided to build community amongst seniors that otherwise would not have a community. BINGO is played every Friday and prizes are basic household necessity items, like soap, laundry detergent, toilet paper and shampoo to name a few. The third program is emergent needs. This has looked different throughout the 100-year history. It now consists of fighting food insecurity in the service area. There is a food pantry and donation room that is open 5 days a week.
Aaron Solomon, Director of Community Partnerships, is excited to have Ossoli Circle partner with Wesley House and enjoyed meeting the ladies in our group. He suggests we consider sponsoring a senior lunch, or we can go there for a visit and tour of their facility. There is also the opportunity to sponsor students or send them to camp Wesley Woods. We can volunteer at the house with children, seniors or food pantry and monetary donations are always appreciated.

The West Knoxville Sertoma Club has challenged us that they will match up to $5000. That is, if we raise $5000 for Wesley House this year or next year, they will match it. In light of this challenge, please make all donation through Ossoli Circle creating a path to double our donation.