Union County Business & Professional Association has enjoyed a variety of speakers at its meetings this spring and summer.
In August, Sharon Hudson, Executive Director of the American Red Cross of East Tennessee, shared the mission and services of the nonprofit. Hudson stated that besides disaster relief, the Red Cross operates an international blood bank that specializes in the storage of rare blood. She noted that the bank has been used in not only recent tornadoes and storms but also in Ukraine.
The Red Cross has been operational for 140 years and for 100 years in Tennessee. She noted that 90 cents of every dollar is used to help victims of fire and other emergencies. She encouraged everyone to have a fire escape plan, use smoke detectors, and take a CPR/AED Course as well as donate blood.
On September 6, Shane Kotz will take members on a tour of GRIID in Maynardville during the UCBPA Morning Meet & Mingle from 7 to 9 a.m. All attendees should wear closed toe shoes as a safety precaution.
This tour is a follow up of Kotz’s program in June when he explained the creation and use of bitcoin mining and how GRIID is able to return large amounts of power to the power grid to lessen the effect of weather on the grid.
Kotz will also lead a litter pick up on Wednesday, September 27, at 5 p.m. as part of the UCBPA Keep Union County Beautiful Campaign. Members will meet at Commercial Bank to begin the pick up.
Last May, BPA members traveled to the historic assembly hall (better known locally as the tea room) at Big Ridge State Park to hear Superintendent Keith Montgomery talk about changes and upgrades at the park. He noted the cleanup of literally tons of brush have opened up more green space. He also shared that new equipment and hardworking crew members had made the cleanup possible.
In the near future, there are to be some proposals for improvements to the Blue Mud boat ramp area of the park. Several cabins have been upgraded as well as repairs made to the camping area, picnic tables and grills.
The next meeting of UCBPA will be at Li'l Jo's on Tuesday, September 12, at noon. Program Chairman Shannon DeWitt is planning another informative program.