OUTREACH

Good Neighbor's 

 In 1930s the Norris community created Good Neighbors, a program designed to help needy neighbors in Norris and surrounding area. Over this 80 year span the Good Neighbors has benefited from the wide community support of the Norris churches and residents.    To have a perspective of Good Neighbors and its significance it is helpful to understand the history.  The planned city of Norris was created in the 1930s by TVA.  Early in that process the Norris Religious Fellowship community church was formed to provide a place of worship for residents and workers building Norris Dam.  It was the first and only church in Norris during this time period and welcomed members from all denominations.  This group saw a need to help needy neighbors in this depressed area of Southern Appalachia and created Good Neighbors to plan and take actions on this need.  After TVA sold the city in 1949 traditional denominational churches formed as land became available. The Methodist, Baptist, Episcopalian and Catholic Churches all joined with the Norris Religious Fellowship to carry out the works of Good Neighbors.    One of the earliest Good Neighbor's projects was to purchase used sewing machines, teach people to make simple clothes and once this skill level was achieved gave them the sewing machines.  In more recent years Good Neighbors has focused on the Christmas season.  Needy people are interviewed and those that qualifying from the Heiskell, Andersonville and Norris areas receive a Christmas food basket and Christmas gifts for children.      Besides the Christmas project, Good Neighbors works with the Anderson County Community Action organization to assist qualifying individuals with temporary financial assistant in such things as helping pay utility bills during the winter season.       Through time, society and government assistance change and alters the needs of families.  Good Neighbors has adapted the kinds of assistance with changing times while maintaining the constant of helping citizens living in our community.     The Christmas Baskets and the Christmas gifts are collected through angel tree     If you have interest in supporting Good Neighbors, checks or money can be mailed to Norris Religious Fellowship, FBO Good Neighbors, PO Box 267, Norris, Tn. 37828.  You will receive a receipt in case you can use the tax deduction and a note of what Good Neighbors is doing and where your money will be used.  If you have questions contact Bob Gregory, Good Neighbor’s Coordinator, 865-494-7103, 865-548-1705, robertgregory7103@hotmail.com