October
October was a busy and impactful month for N Her Footsteps! We hosted our first volunteer event, the EmpowerHer Kits Assembly, where 11 volunteers helped assemble 276 kits—just shy of our goal of 300! Along with the kits, we collected 5 packs of panties, 8 pairs of leggings, and provided lice kits at the request of the Jefferson County Nursing Supervisor. These items were distributed to Jefferson Elementary, Jefferson Middle, Jefferson County High School, and the Patriot Academy. We also launched registration for our first annual Bundle Up and Pack Up event in partnership with Martha Davis Baptist Church, where we’ll provide warm clothing and school supplies. We're now seeking volunteers, donations, and sponsors to make this event a success for our community.

November
In November, N Her Footsteps continued building community together by participating in JT's Christmas, where we provided holiday gifts for a teenage student in Jefferson County. We were honored to receive a grant from the Jefferson Health Care Foundation, a fund of the East Tennessee Foundation, to support our upcoming Bundle Up and Pack Up event. Our partners, Martha Davis Baptist Church, generously contributed a monetary donation, along with support from sponsors including Knoxville TVA Employee Credit Union and Steven Hull Insurance Agency. Additionally, we received a generous in-kind donation from Bush Brothers of 950 lbs of beans, valued at over $1,100, and 10 $25 gift cards from Publix. These contributions bring us closer to meeting the needs of our community this winter.

December
In December, we closed registration for the Bundle Up and Pack Up event on December 9th, exceeding our original goal of serving 150 students. Due to overwhelming demand, we stretched our capacity to serve 195 students and 88 families. On December 14th, we hosted an organizing day to prepare snack packs, school supplies, and beanie/glove sets for the January 4th event. This effort was supported by Martha Davis Baptist Church, our board members, and family, demonstrating our commitment to meeting community needs.

January
January marked the culmination of months of planning and preparation as we hosted our first annual Bundle Up and Pack Up event! With the incredible support of our partners, Martha Davis Baptist Church, and a dedicated team of over 30 volunteers, we served 45 families and 103 children with warm clothing, school supplies, and nutritious food boxes. Despite the chilly weather and seasonal illnesses impacting attendance, those who came were met with smiles, support, and an outpouring of community love. Special thanks to all the generous sponsors and volunteers who made this event possible. The success of this event demonstrated the strength and compassion of our community and set a powerful precedent for future initiatives.

February
Part 2 of the Bundle Up and Pack Up event took place at the Jefferson City Community Center and was a tremendous success. The remaining materials were distributed, and reviews for this event were overwhelmingly positive. The community expressed enthusiasm for our volunteer opportunities, resulting in new volunteers eager to support us in the future.

March
On March 12, 2025, N Her Footsteps hosted the Jefferson City Chamber Business Meeting, where the Executive Director provided an insightful presentation about N Her Footsteps. She emphasized the importance of sponsors and continuous donations. The organization has chosen to expand its board. The goal is to welcome new board members in June.

The board will not meet in April.

May
N Her Footsteps is now able to accept contributions through Walmart.com’s round-up initiative.

May was a busy month for securing donations. The Walk Run Pedal Jamz Festival held at Kern’s Food Hall was a significant event for our organization. The morning featured a charity walk, run, and bike ride specifically for N Her Footsteps, with all registration fees directed to our cause. Participants had the option to engage in the events or make donations. To boost participation, the festival hosted free giveaway drawings for both participants and donors. Lowe’s in Jefferson City generously contributed $400 in tools. Carson Newman University donated cups, mugs, and football tickets for the giveaways, while the festival included additional items like gift cards.

Additionally, N Her Footsteps was invited to present to the Mirani Foundation Advisory Council for funding. This foundation selected two nonprofits to showcase before the advisory council, distributing funds between them. The Executive Director delivered an impressive presentation to the council, resulting in our organization receiving 60% of the distributed funds.