Two local RE/MAX firms participated as a sponsor in the “Pop Up Day of Hope” hosted by several organizations to aid students and families at Spring Creek Elementary School in East Ridge on Friday. Realtors Hunter Denton and Wanda Vogt of REMAX Properties quickly purchased 100 masks while Team Purcell of REMAX Renaissance of Hixson partnered with Fly Wheel to donate over 200 large bottles of hand sanitizer. The agents were quickly able to pull these donations together in less than five hours.
The “Pop Up Day of Hope” idea emerged during a meeting of the United Way’s COVID-19 task force emotional health focus group. The goal of the event was simple- to spread hope and happiness and reduce isolation during a time where many are self-quarantining at home and experiencing more stress.
Thanks to the leadership of Eve Nite with Erlanger Behavioral Health Hospital and school staff, the event coordinated with a Hamilton County school food pick up site to reach families driving up in their cars. Volunteers carried handmade signs with messages of hope and togetherness and handed out free resources bags including masks and hand sanitizer. Thanks to sponsors, families also got to visit with psychotherapy horses and receive free Kona Ice treats.
Several local organizations participated in the event, including Tennessee Suicide Prevention Network, NAMI Chattanooga, and Hamilton County Coalitions. Mental health service providers involved included Village Behavioral Health, Mental Health Cooperative, Erlanger Behavioral Health Hospital, The Middle Path, and Parkridge Valley.
Mr. Denton said, "It so important to keep health and safety foremost when supporting families."
Organizers said they see Pop Events as a quick way to deliver resources and hope to participate in other such events.
For more information on how to partner, please contact Brenda Purcell, at REMAX Renaissance at 648-8200 or 322-001.