Michael Dunn Center Blog

MDC Wishes All Roane County High School Football Teams Good Luck on Their Respective Seasons This Year!!

2009-09-10T11:17:00.000-07:00

Go Jackets!!
Go Green Wave!!
Go Tigers!!
Go Blue Devils!!
Go Bobcats!!

Work Progress Growth Means Building Expansion

2009-09-08T07:42:00.000-07:00

The Michael Dunn Center Work Programs division has seen tremendous growth in the last 4 months. While many new jobs have been added, many long-term existing jobs have grown or expanded, as the employees and service recipients of Work Programs have provided an excellent product with exemplary customer service to our customers. Many similar agencies to Michael Dunn Center have seen a significant decrease in the number of jobs available to people with disabilities during the current economic downturn. However, MDC Work Programs has never been busier thanks to the loyalty of our customers.

In fact, Work Programs has run out of room to store product and still have room to complete to contracted labor. Because of this growth, MDC needs more room. Thankfully, some very compassionate people in the Kingston community have come to the rescue. First Baptist Church of Kingston's mission team has volunteered all of the labor to build a new 7,250 sq. ft. warehouse that will enable Work Programs to store incoming and outgoing product. This will enable the service recipients and employees of Work Programs to be able to have enough room to complete the jobs for which they are contracted.

Excavation has already begun. Rough in and concrete work will begin within weeks, and the building is scheduled to be completed by the end of October. Michael Dunn Center is seeking donations of material and resources to help us purchase the required elements that are necessary to complete the building of this much needed project. If you would like to donate, simply click on the "Donate Now" button on the top left of your screen, or call Wade Creswell, at 865-376-3416, ext. 207.

We would like to offer our most sincere appreciation to First Baptist Church of Kingston for their selfless volunteer labor in building this much needed building for us.

MDC Celebrates Spring with Annual Picnic

2009-06-22T07:11:00.000-07:00

On May 18 the Michael Dunn Center staff and service recipients temporarily relocated its operations to the Roane County Park for its annual picnic. The afternoon was filled with many activities, not the least of which was a catered lunch of chicken fingers and many side items. The drinks were donated by Coca-Cola.

One of the highlights of the day was the chance to take a boat ride out to the Tennessee River and back. Social events such as these are something that both the service recipients and staff look forward to each year.

Join us for our next scheduled social event on October 31 at the Michael Dunn Center Work Programs building for our annual Halloween Party.

Thanks to Donations, New Sign Points Way to MDC

2008-11-13T14:00:00.000-08:00

Thanks to donations from Acme Block and Brick of Kingston and Sign Reflections of Athens, TN, Michael Dunn Center now has a new sign to replace the over 20 year old sign with the old logo. The new sign is in fact an exact duplication of the new Michael Dunn Center logo which symbolizes how Michael Dunn Center offers people with special needs a step up toward their own goals and dreams.

The new sign is an important step in raising the awareness of the community about who we are and what we do. Over 15,000 cars per day travel in front of the main campus on Gallaher Road. Having a new sign, particularly an attractive sign that was free, will help keep Michael Dunn Center in the thoughts of those who travel by frequently.

We would like to express our sincere gratitude to Acme Block and Brick and to Sign Reflections for their generous gifts in helping make this goal become a reality.

Renovations Underway!!!

2008-10-07T08:50:00.000-07:00

Thanks to the commitment and care of local churches, some vast improvements are taking place at Michael Dunn Center's main campus. Roane Church, a new church who is meeting at Michael Dunn Center on Sunday mornings and Providence Church of Knoxville have donated countless hours and have networked to find resources to renovate different areas of the main building. The old cafeteria is in the process of being transformed into a multi-purpose room that can be used by up to 3 groups of people at the same time. The new look of the room is impressive. The most impressive thing about it is that all of it has been donated at no cost to the Michael Dunn Center. Roane Church has also undertaken painting project in the Day Habilitation rooms, beginning with Room 8.

To say the least, the employees and service recipients of Michael Dunn Center are excited that groups from the community have shown that we are not forgotten and that we are cared about. Thank you Roane Church and Providence Church for your love, care and support!

Great Time Had At Valentine's Day Dance/ Pep Rally

2008-02-22T11:23:00.000-08:00

Friday, February 15, the Supported Living staff members hosted the annual Valentine's Day Dance at Roane State Community College. Complete with refreshments and a DJ, many service recipients, employees, friends and family members danced until their hearts were content. It didn't take Cupid's arrow to create a sense of admiration and love in the room. Whenever there is a social event involving the service recipients of Michael Dunn Center, there will be many smiles and warm hearts. Click
HERE to view pictures from the party.
But, dancing wasn't the only treat of the night, particularly for the new Roane County Chargers, an adult basketball team of Michael Dunn Center service recipients. Halfway through the evening, Michael Dunn Center president Mike McElhinney gathered everyone's attention and announced that a the next day would mark the new basketball team's first games at a Special Olympics tournament in Maryville. Director of Residential Habilitation, Tonya Watts, who also happens to coach the basketball team, introduced the players one at a time to rousing applause from all in attendance. It was clear that the players were proud to be a part of the team and were very excited about playing the next day.

The dance and pep rally once again served as a wonderful social event for the service recipients and employees of Michael Dunn Center. The next center-wide social event will be the annual Halloween party.

2007 MDC Christmas Party a Huge Success

2007-12-20T10:59:00.000-08:00

Friday, December 14 was a night of great fun and fellowship for the staff, service recipients and families of Michael Dunn Center. The party was sponsored by Communication Workers of America Local #3805. Their generous donation helped create a night of food, dancing, gifts and fun for people who look forward to the next social event all year long. Click HERE to view pictures of the event. Another special thank you goes to the staff and family members who volunteered their time and energy to create such a wonderful night for all. We are already looking forward to the Valentine's Day Dance.

Regions Bank donates bicycle to MDC Service Recipient

2007-12-06T14:34:00.000-08:00

John L. Smith, an employee of Dunn Diversified Industries was the worthy recipient of a new bicycle from Regions Bank. John Smith and Cindy Turner of Regions Bank presented John L. his new bicycle in a small ceremony held in the MDC cafeteria. While, he was thankful for the new bike and will definitely be seen in his neighborhood riding, he was anxious to get back to doing his job which he loves. This was a wonderful gesture by friends of MDC who have partnered with us to improve the quality of life for the people we serve.

2007 Prom of the Stars a Big Success

2007-12-06T08:42:00.000-08:00

On November 10, Farragut Christian Church hosted and coordinated the 2007 Prom of the Stars, a formal social event for individuals with disabilities. The event was enjoyed by as many as 700 service recipients from all over the region with a large contingent of attendees from Michael Dunn Center. Our service recipients had a wonderful time. This was a tremendous example of the community coming together to create opportunities for people who face challenges that keep them from enjoying many activities that are so often taken for granted. Thank you to Farragut Christian Church and all the volunteers that made this event a great night for all involved.