Hold On To Hope Receives Trinity Grant

Hold On To Hope, a Knoxville-based nonprofit that supports families with a missing loved one, has received a Trinity Health Foundation of East Tennessee Phase I Large Division Grant.

In June, 2026, Trinity awarded 27 area organizations a total of $244,942. The Phase I grants will be used to plan community health-related projects that will compete for Phase II implementation funding later this year.

Burt and Carolyn Rosen founded Hold On To Hope after spending nearly 24 years searching for answers following the disappearance of their son, Matthew. (Burt’s story & reunion photos here.) Their experience revealed how isolating a missing-person crisis can be and how little structured support exists for families during the earliest days of uncertainty — and often long after.

“When a loved one disappears, a family enters a crisis,” said Burt Rosen, the former CEO of Knox Area Rescue Ministries (KARM). “While law enforcement focuses on the investigation, families also need someone who understands what they are experiencing and is available to walk alongside them during those difficult first days.”

Tennessee currently has nearly 1,000 active missing-person cases across multiple databases.

Hold On To Hope will use the Trinity Phase I funding to research and plan project operations, evaluate sustainability, develop training programs and prepare a proposal for Phase II implementation funding.

“The first few days after a loved one disappears can be overwhelming,” said Carolyn Rosen. “We can’t conduct an investigation, but we can provide a compassionate presence, a listening ear and ongoing support for as long as a family wants us to walk alongside them.” Info here.

Rick Laney provided information and quotes for this report.

Knoxville SOUP names presenters for June 25

Knoxville SOUP has selected four community projects to present at its upcoming micro-funding dinner on Thursday, June 25, 2026, at Kerbela Temple in South Knoxville. Doors open at 5:30; presentations start at 6 p.m.

For a suggested donation of $5, attendees receive a simple meal, hear presentations from local changemakers and vote to determine which project receives funding.

The projects chosen for the June 25 event are:

  • RYDE Community Glow Pop-Up Series: Bringing free dance, confidence-building and creative wellness experiences directly into Knoxville neighborhoods so youth can move, connect and glow with purpose.
  • Scruffy City Real Talk – Conversations That Can Change Lives: Stripping away the stigma around mental health through QPR (Question, Persuade, Refer): an evidence-based, effective training that equips anyone with the skills to recognize warning signs and save a life.
  • Red Book Improvement: Helping Knox County residents find hope, help and essential services by connecting them to hundreds of community resources through one trusted source.
  • Native Plant Rescue Squad Volunteer Program: Celebrating shovels, soil, salvage, stewardship, sharing and strengthening community.

New for this dinner, every presenter will receive funding for their project. The proposal receiving the most votes will be awarded all proceeds collected at the door. The second-place project will receive $150, third place will receive $100 and fourth place will receive $50.

Everyone is invited to attend, enjoy good food and conversation and support grassroots projects that benefit the Knoxville community. Info here.

South Knox neighbor Janice Tocher contributed this information.

West Hill neighors head off for a greenway bike ride following their summer picnic on June 20, 2026, at West Hills Park. (Anne Crais/ info-photo)

In Memoriam

Terry Wilson

Terry Wilson passed away on June 17, 2026, at age 72. He was retired after 40 years as the director of music at First United Methodist Church, Maryville.

He graduated from Fulton High School (Knoxville), Carson Newman University (BM Magna Cum Laude), and Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (MCM Highest Honors). His post-graduate education was in choral conducting with Professor Donald Neuen at UCLA.

He developed children’s, youth and adult choirs, handbells and orchestras to participate in worship, as well as choir tours throughout the southeast, Disney World, Carnegie Hall and Europe. Christmas became especially meaningful at First Church during those years, as the best of sacred music was presented to the congregation and the community. He published over 150 arrangements for piano, choral, organ, strings and orchestra. He is survived by his wife of 50 years, Brooke, and others.

A Celebration of Life service will be held at 3 p.m. Sunday, June 28, at First UMC, Maryville, 804 Montvale Station Rd., with reception to follow. For those who are unable to attend, the service will be live-streamed (1stchurch.org). The obituary is here.

Notes & Quotes

First Century Bank will open its new Farragut branch at 11 a.m. Wednesday, June 24, at 130 Concord Road. With the opening, First Century now has 10 branches across Knox, Claiborne, Hancock, Union and Blount counties. The bank is community-owned by the Yoakum family of Tazewell, Tennessee, with Eleanor Yoakum’s son, Rob Barger, as president/ CEO.

Knoxville City Council members will hold a Meet & Greet on Friday, June 26, 2026, from 8:30-10 a.m. at Old Sevier Market, 906 Sevier Ave., Knoxville. This will be a casual time for citizens and city councilmembers to talk and meet across all districts.

Blackberry Festival, sponsored by Powell Presbyterian Church, will be Saturday, June 27, 9-2 with a 5K race, a kids’ zone, food trucks, live music (noon till 2), vendors and more. Parking available at Powell Middle and Powell High schools with shuttle service to the festival.

Halls Museum Open House, 5-7 p.m. Thursday, July 2, Birch Tree Plaza, 7119 Afton Drive. An opportunity to meet “Thomas and Nancy Hall,” founders of the community in 1796. Refreshments will be served.

Red, White & Blue Bash: Clear Springs Baptist Church, 7350 Tazewell Pike, Gibbs, Friday, July 3. This free community event will feature food trucks, inflatables, games, contests, fellowship and a spectacular fireworks show to end the night. Bring your friends and your lawn chairs.

Quote: The conduct of war was so much more interesting than its prevention. – Barbara Tuchman, historian

Follow KnoxTNToday on Facebook and Instagram. Get all KnoxTNToday articles in one place with our Free Newsletter.