Community comes together for United Way’s annual Parade of Tables

Lannie St Philip, PR Coordinator, First Peoples Bank and Julie Trent, United Way Jefferson County Advisory Committee
Photo courtesy of United Way of Greater Knoxville

Local businesses, nonprofits and community members gathered at Jefferson City Christian Church on Thursday, Sept. 17, for United Way of Greater Knoxville’s annual Jefferson County Parade of Tables. The event raised almost $11,000 with 113 guests attending.

Funds raised through Parade of Tables stay in Jefferson County, as do all gifts made to United Way of Greater Knoxville in the county. Jefferson County is one of five counties in United Way of Greater Knoxville’s service area.

The evening included dinner, a silent auction and the signature tablescape competition. Designs ranged from a full winter wonderland by Jefferson County Habitat for Humanity to an Alice in Wonderland theme by Citizens National Bank and a Mardi Gras display from FirstBank.

For the second year in a row, First Peoples Bank of Tennessee took home the Top Table Award.

The evening also featured two United Way funded partners. Melanie Nelson, executive director of Hoof & Harness Experiential Learning, and Josh Yarbrough, CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of Dumplin Valley, shared more about their organizations’ work. Both are among 13 organizations serving Jefferson County that received a combined $100,000 through United Way of Greater Knoxville’s 2026 Community Investment Grants.

“Each dollar raised allows us to award more dollars to nonprofits in our community,” said Amy Orr, a member of United Way’s Jefferson County Advisory Committee who also serves on the committee overseeing grant awards. “This event brings everyone together in a fun way to celebrate the work of our amazing nonprofits.”

Throughout the year, United Way works alongside community leaders and organizations in Jefferson County to assess the needs and challenges facing the community and understand where resources can have the greatest impact.

“That local connection is critical to how we invest in Jefferson County,” said Chrystal Armstrong Brown, president and CEO of United Way of Greater Knoxville. “Events like Parade of Tables make those investments possible because of people and businesses who choose to give through United Way to help meet the needs of their neighbors.”

United Way extends special thanks to sponsors Greater Impact Realty and Bush Brothers for their support of this year’s event. Table sponsors include Brooks Lawnscape, Citizens National Bank, FirstBank, First Horizon Bank, First Peoples Bank of Tennessee, Franklin Realty, Knoxville TVA Employees Credit Union, Rugel Church Furnishings and Volunteer Spirits.

To support United Way of Greater Knoxville’s work in Jefferson County and help reach its $9 million 2026 Annual Campaign goal, visit uwgk.org.

United Way of Greater Knoxville (UWGK) unites people and resources to strengthen communities. As part of United Way Worldwide, the largest charitable organization in the world, UWGK is dedicated to creating a community where all neighbors can thrive.

Chrystal Armstrong Brown, president and CEO of United Way of Greater Knoxville, Sheila Wiggins, Advisory Committee and UWGK Board of Directors, Julie Trent, Shevon D. Hodges, Advisory Committee Member, Elvia Reyes, UWGK Regional Outreach Coordinator, Monika Keenan, Amy Orr, Joshua Shockley, Advisory Committee Members, Dana P. Hernandez, UWGK Director of Community Investments