Dust of Hope seeking sponsors for “Hope Tree”

By Charlotte Underwood

LAFOLLETTE, TN (WLAF) – Dust of Hope Mission is seeking sponsors for its “Hope Tree” in order to help local children have a better Christmas.  According to Dust of Hope organizer Kim Derry Leonard, the “Hope Tree” is similar in concept to the Angel Tree program where the tree will have names of local kids in need of gifts.

Last year, the organization provided gifts for 140 kids in Campbell County through the help of community sponsors. Currently there are more than 100 names on the tree, and around 40 kids still need to be adopted for holiday gifts. According to Leonard, she expects more names will be added before the program’s deadline. “We’re still taking applications for our Hope Tree program for kids in need of gifts,” Leonard said. The deadline for applications has been extended till the end of November, which is tomorrow.

Dust of Hope was started by Leonard as an outreach program to help others in the community with food needs, clothing and more. Now a religious non-profit, the organization serves East Tennessee, but is located in Campbell County and does most of its work here. Dust of Hope is ran entirely on a volunteer basis as well. 

“Our goal is to help people, especially during the holidays; we all know what it’s like to struggle. We don’t want any kids going without this Christmas season,” Leonard said. 

Dust of Hope accepts donations of all types, from clothing, to house hold items, food and monetary.  Donation items are sold in the thrift store to fund food purchases.

Dust of Hope is located at 403 W. Central Avenue next to Dominos. For more information about participating in the Hope Tree program, or to make donations call Leonard at 865.399.1796. Donations can also be dropped off on location. Check Dust of Hope out on Facebook as well. (WLAF NEWS PUBLISHED – 11/29/2021-6AM)