Each year, the Union County Business & Professional Association chooses a man and a woman to serve as ambassador to promote cooperation among the business and professionals for the benefit of the citizens. These individuals exemplify the spirit of community service and use their knowledge and expertise to make Union County a better place to live, work, play and pray. The UCBPA Man & Woman of 2019 are Gary England and Melanie Dykes.
Gary England currently serves as a Union County commissioner representing the First District. But many probably know him for his longtime interest in antique and vintage cars. He has organized numerous car shows through the years in several counties and mostly for charities of various kinds.
At the shows, he promotes the cars and various fundraisers by using his famous “England's Sound Machine.” His sound machine boasts a wide range of tunes that cover music from the ‘20s to the present in bluegrass, country, pop and rock and roll. He hosts cruise-ins to benefit Union County Children's Charities “Under the Tree,” Thunder in the Park, individual cancer and transplant patients, and some are held just to have a good time.
Melanie Dykes is the director of Union County Senior Services. Anyone over 55 knows who to call to get a question answered from medical assistance, to senior discounts, to entertainment. If a senior citizen requests a service, Melanie does her best to meet the need. She has expanded the offerings to include dance lessons, yoga, tax tips and trips to various plays and points of interest both in and out of Union County, not to mention hot meals through ETHRA.
Ms.Dykes was an Ambassador for Susan G. Komen for several years and held events to promote the importance of early breast cancer detection as well as participating in the Race for the Cure. She and her assistant Joan serve seniors in every part of Union County. She has served as chairperson for UCBPA Board of Directors and currently holds the office of secretary. Her dog, Bear, often visits with the seniors. As Melanie says, "Everyone loves bear and he is the best therapy, but not a true therapy dog".
Congratulations to Gary England and Melanie Dykes. Look for them in the Union County Rescue Squad Christmas Parade on Sunday, December 8, at 2:30 p.m. on Maynardville Highway.
[The author corrected this article and regrets any confusion that it may have caused.]