It is hard to match the energy of hundreds of coworkers showing up with smiles and an eagerness to help. During our annual Week of Caring, corporate teams stepped away from their desks and into the community to tackle projects that would normally take local nonprofits and schools months to finish alone. In just a few days, volunteers helped accomplish projects so nonprofit organizations and Community Schools could focus on the individuals they serve.
This year, more than 150 volunteers from 14 corporate teams fanned out across East Tennessee. Together, they poured over 420 hours of hands-on service, packed 350 care kits, and delivered more than $16,000 in total value of their time back into the community.
Week of Caring is United Way of Greater Knoxville’s annual volunteer initiative, matching local corporate teams with critical hands-on projects.
Reflecting on the effort, President and CEO, Chrystal Armstrong Brown explained, “Organizations across our community, caring people, give their lives and their careers to make sure needs are met for our neighbors. Moments like Week of Caring are special because they invite our entire community to give their time and talent in ways that multiply the effect.”
From PYA Accountants & Advisors and Realty Trust Group teams setting up a new podcast studio at YWCA Phyllis Wheatley Center to a team at Erie Insurance painting and refreshing the exterior of Beaumont Magnet Academy, volunteers spent the week lending a hand where they were most needed.
After a stormy night, PYA Accountants & Advisors and Realty Trust Group teams arrived at Helping Mamas Knoxville on a cool, overcast morning, ready to get to work. The team landscaped, cleaned the organization’s mobile van, and packaged essential family items. Tess Freer, Executive Director at Helping Mamas, shared what having extra hands meant for the organization, “As a team of four staff, volunteers truly keep us going here. Cleaning our van and landscaping for us are dream projects that would not happen without the support of PYA and RTG.”
The momentum continued on a bright blue sky day at the Knoxville Botanical Gardens. Laughter filled the air as the Phillips Infrastructure team rolled up their sleeves to dig up roots, spread mulch, and prepare sunflowers to be used in enrichment activities for kids.
Later in the week, 15 teammates from Wallace Real Estate stopped by Wesley House Community Center. After organizing the Red Bird Community Store, they helped staff prepare for their annual Masquerade Ball.
For participating companies, the week provided powerful moments where teams could get to know one another outside of the office and turn their corporate values into direct impact.
Jeannine Henney, Supervisor and Claims Support, representing our supply drive sponsor Erie Insurance Knoxville, highlighted how the hands-on partnership keeps their team coming back to support the week year after year, “It is always nice to come out from behind our desks and get into the community. As we worked today, we had community members stop by and admire our work. We’ve been able to share what we are doing and get to know parents and community members who have students at Beaumont Magnet Academy or walk past daily.”
Week of Caring takes planning and coordination across many people and organizations.
We are grateful to PYA Accountants & Advisors and Realty Trust Group, our Presenting Sponsors, and Erie Insurance Group, our Supply Sponsor, for helping make the week possible. We appreciate Cakmes Dental Studios for donating supplies for Smile Kits and our Gold Sponsors, Wallace Real Estate, University of Tennessee Medical Center, and Phillips, who contributed to the success of the week. The week would not have been the same without our Bronze Sponsors, RJ Young, BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee, First Choice Lending, TVAMP, Broadway Carpets, and Old National Bank.
This year’s participating teams supported Beaumont Magnet Academy, Belle Morris Elementary, Big Brothers Big Sisters, Boys & Girls Club of Dumplin Valley, Centro Hispano, Emerald Youth Academy, For The Love of Reading, Helping Mamas Knoxville, Knox County Clothing Resource Center, Knox County Teacher Supply Depot, Knoxville Botanical Gardens, Muse Knoxville, Norwood Elementary, South Knoxville Elementary, Wesley House, and YWCA.
Stepping out of the office and into the spaces where our neighbors receive care is one of the most powerful ways to build team morale while making a real difference.
Week of Caring is one way United Way of Greater Knoxville connects local businesses with organizations that can use an extra set of hands. To get your workplace involved, explore corporate volunteer projects or make a 2026 campaign gift.
See more photos from the week on Flickr: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjD5T1W
