Team TLC had a wonderful time at the first ever KARM Camp Out at the World's Fair Park last Friday. The weather was perfect though I must confess that it got a bit chilly at bed/box time(!) which reminded us how difficult it must be for the homeless. The evening program was filled with great music, family-friendly activities, testimonials, and a candlelight ceremony.

We're excited to announce that Team TLC won the Tent/Box Decorating Contest, and we were at the top of the fundraising efforts with $1766.90 raised for Knox Area Rescue Ministries through personal connections, Bake Sale, Twin Challenge, and fun activities at the event. For the event we had a photobooth, message board, and kids' art t-shirt project that was a hit with our neighborly campers. We also donated 20 pairs of shoes through our TLC for the Sole{Soul} Shoe Drive. We invite you to look at our photo album of the event.

In it's inaugural year, KARM Camp Out was a success with $13,000 raised to help support the programs and services that KARM offers the homeless of Knoxville! It costs KARM $1.87 to feed a person. Collectively, campers and event participants helped to provide 6,500 meals to each man, woman or child that come through the doors of KARM in search of hope and healing. Now, that's worth it all!

Highlights from the event included:

• Great music by Levon Walker, Christabel and the Jons, and Davis Mitchell and his band.
• A meet and greet with the UT men’s basketball team – who commented on how “cool” of an event it was!
• We got to hear some inspirational stories of restoration from KARM guests and volunteers, as well as, a touching “cardboard” testimony performed by the ladies staying at KARM’s Serenity Shelter.
• A fun children’s area sponsored by West Park Baptist was very organized and entertaining for little campers! 
• Photobooth, message board, shoe drive, kids' art t-shirt project sponsored by Team TLC and The Legacy Centre.
• Uncle Lem’s was on site with some great giveaways – they will be contacting the winners directly and inviting them to come and visit their awesome store in West Knoxville.
• Green Mountain Coffee were so kind to provide some great tasting coffee and tea during the event.
• Candlelight ceremony at the end of the evening – 140 people holding candles for one common cause. Touching.

The winners of the tent decorating contest were:

First Place:        Team TLC... TLC for the Sole{Soul} – Checkout our team's theme here:  http://www.tnlegacy.com/whats-happening/events/22/karm-camp-out/

Second Place:    The Broke Photographers – They had a creative side-by-side box concept and had many “homey” accents. 

Third Place:       West Park Baptist Church with their creative Hawaiian themed tent village.

Top Fundraisers:

Team TLC                    $1,766
Broke Photographers      $1,310
Angela Cooper              $1,125
Betsy Martin                 $  912   

If you are interested in volunteering or learning more about Knox Area Rescue Ministries, please visit the KARM website at www.karm.org.

Thanks to our team volunteers and those of you that donated money/shoes and came out to the event to support Team TLC and KARM. Hope you will join us next year. We cannot wait!