DUANE SHERRILLEditor

Volunteers helped deliver over 500 meals on Christmas in Tullahoma, bringing Christmas joy to 174 homes.

“Thanks to over 100 volunteers on Christmas morning 544 meals were delivered to 174 homes,” said Lane Curlee who was an organizer of the Yule Tide event which was rekindled this year after being on hiatus since the pandemic. “A special thanks to Vanderbilt Tullahoma Harton Hospital for the use their facility. A special thanks to the cafeteria staff for staying late Christmas Eve and very early Christmas morning to prepare the meals. Also, a special thanks to the residents that brought in desserts Christmas Eve and to the grocery stores and several churches that provided desserts.”

Curlee told volunteers who helped package the meals, those who made desserts and those that delivered them to homes across the city that it is a blessing to live in Tullahoma.

“All of us in this room have been blessed in so many ways.  It doesn’t mean we have not had challenges along the way but we have all been extremely blessed,” he told the volunteers, “One of our greatest blessings is that we live in America and Tullahoma. But even in Tullahoma there are families that are struggling. Perhaps illness, death, financial struggles, domestic issues, drug abuse and other struggles. 174 of those families reached out to me this past week and requested a Christmas meal for their family. And that is the group we are getting ready to serve today.

“Please know whether you are helping pack the meal or delivering the meals, you are giving hope and encouragement to a special group of people that need that hope and encouragement on this special day.

“So I say thank you for giving up part of your Christmas to serve others. You have stepped up and offered your time, resources and gifts to serve the less fortunate in Tullahoma. So thank you, thank you and thank you.”