First Lady Maria Lee and Leadership Kingsport Serve Over 250 Tennessee First Responders

KINGSPORT, Tenn.— Today, First Lady Maria Lee and Leadership Kingsport, a program of the Kingsport Chamber, hosted a service project for firefighters, law enforcement, EMTs, and other local first responders in partnership with national nonprofit Operation Gratitude.

More than 100 volunteers packed over 250 care packages for Tennessee first responders with Operation Gratitude, the Kingsport Chamber, First Lady Maria Lee, and the Tennessee Serves team. Each care package included assorted snacks and personal care items as well as a thank you note written by volunteers.

“Tennessee communities depend on the dedicated service of our first responders to remain healthy, safe, and thriving. It was an honor to give back to them and communicate to them just how appreciated they are,” said First Lady Maria Lee. “I’m thankful for the efforts of the Kingsport Chamber and Operation Gratitude to make this project possible.”

Following the service project, First Lady Lee, the Tennessee Serves team, and local Chamber leadership distributed care packages and served lunch to 200 Kingsport first responders in a drive through distribution.

The event began with a breakfast where attendees listened to various speakers, including a fireside chat with First Lady Maria Lee and CEO and President of the Kingsport Chamber, Miles Burdine. First Lady Lee and Chamber President Burdine discussed various topics including the First Lady’s initiative Tennessee Serves and the importance of giving back.

“One of Leadership Kingsport and the Kingsport Chamber’s primary goals is to support and enhance our community, which is exactly what we were able to do in today’s service project," said Vanessa Bennett, Chief Operations Officer for the Chamber. “We were thrilled to hear firsthand from First Lady Maria Lee today and serve alongside her and the Tennessee Serves team.”

Vicki Johnson, Director of National Volunteerism for Operation Gratitude, also presented at the event, engaging attendees in the mission of the nonprofit to create opportunities for all Americans to express appreciation to military and first responder communities.

The event and subsequent service project were part of the Tennessee Serves March monthly challenge, “Serving Those Who Serve”, calling for Tennesseans to give back to those in professions of service in their communities. To learn more about the First Lady’s work through Tennessee Serves, click here.

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