OSSOLI CIRCLE AND LIBERTY PLACE ARTICLE – Compiled by Nancy Christmas

Ossoli Circle members formed a partnership with Knoxville’s Community Development Corporation (KCDC) in early 2024. Ossoli in Action Committee, along with the general membership, voted on and agreed to support Liberty Place, a 32 unit apartment to be constructed in Knoxville, funded by KCDC, to house qualified veterans. OIA committed to furnishing soft goods for two of these apartments. Other local groups and organizations also agreed to sponsor some, if not all, of the remaining units.

Here is a brief timeline of Ossoli Circle’s involvement with the Liberty Place project:

1. Monday, September 25, 2023: Marisa Moazen, Ph.D, and Chief Strategy Officer at KCDC, Knoxville’s Community Development Corporation, was introduced to Ossoli Circle members. She discussed the Liberty Place concept and showed renderings of this 32 unit proposed apartment building to be built later in the year.
2. Monday, February 12, 2024: Ossoli in Action presented a check to KCDC for $1,000 during our OIA annual party to assist with funding of the apartment project. Ossoli Circle committed to sponsor two apartments by providing soft goods and other accessories that may be needed.
3. Thursday, May 9, 2024: Judy Balloff, new member of Ossoli Circle, spoke to members of Ossoli and other outside attendees at our ClubHouse about our veterans. This fundraising event raised over $2,000. Judy graciously agreed to apply this amount for expenses incurred for items purchased to furnish our two apartments.
4. Thursday, June 6, 2024: Several Ossoli members toured Liberty Place during its construction.
5. Friday, August 16, 2024: OIA Committee Chair, Jerilynn Price, hosted a meeting and lunch in her home to discuss the list of shopping items needed to be purchased and determine which “teams” would select specific rooms to furnish.
6. Thursday, November 21, 2024: Official KCDC Ribbon Cutting ceremony at Liberty Place with city, county, and state officials as well as other dignitaries, and sponsors attending. Ossoli Circle was well represented.
7. Tuesday, January 7, 2025: Ossoli members and several spouses delivered our purchased items that had been stored at Ossoli Circle since the summer of 2024 to our two designated units. Representing Ossoli in Action, Jerilynn Price, Chair, presented a check from OIA to KCDC that day to assist with additional apartment purchases.
8. Thursday, January 9, 2025: Official “Welcoming” to the Veterans moving into their new home at Liberty Place. Reception took place with eight Ossoli members attending.

After nearly a year from our first meeting with KCDC in February of 2024 and many months of planning and ongoing activities, Liberty Place became a reality on January 7, 2025. Members braved the frigid cold temperatures, loaded up our stored items at Ossoli Circle and delivered them to their new homes. These included pots and pans, dishes and glasses, silverware, pillows, towels and other bathroom, bedding and kitchen accessories. Two days later on the 9th, these veterans were able to move into their new place just in time before the next day’s snow storm.  A reception was also held on Thursday afternoon to honor our veterans and sponsors. It was truly heart warming to see the appreciation and excitement on the veterans’ faces. This was a rewarding experience to see Liberty Place finally be completed. It was also an excellent way for Ossoli Circle to get involved by supporting this worthwhile community project helping our veterans.