The Smith County Fine Arts Center has received $1,500.00 from The Tennessee Valley Authority’s Community Care Fund program in partnership with UCEMC Cares, Inc. The funds will purchase costumes and rights for plays for the coming season.

Pictured Above:

The Smith County Fine Arts Board plans to use the grant for costumes and play rights for the coming season. Standing L-R: Jennifer Honey, Evelyn Lawson. Seated L-R: Crystal Underhill McCall, Jeffery Grisham.

The theatre was the passion of actor, director, and set designer Bill Reece, who recently passed. Evelyn Lawson of the Smith County Fine Arts board says this season, there are big shoes to fill. “Bill was so artistic! He could act, sing, direct, and design the sets,” Evelyn explains. “It will take three or four people to replace him and tackle the tasks required to produce a play. Bill will be missed!”

Funding for UCEMC Cares, Inc., is provided by generous co-op members who choose to round up their electric bill to the nearest dollar. Since UCEMC Cares, Inc. began in 2014, more than $1.7 million has been given back to community organizations. Upper Cumberland EMC General Manager and CEO Jennifer Brogdon thanked TVA for making these matching funds available. “I appreciate TVA, not only as a power provider but as a community partner, helping us match our members’ UCEMC Cares donations for worthy causes.”

TVA’s Community Care Fund was initially established to support communities across the Valley during the COVID-19 pandemic but was expanded recently to continue through 2023. “TVA and local power companies are continuing their partnership by extending the Community Care Fund program,” said Jeannette Mills, TVA Executive Vice President, and Chief External Relations Officer. “This program continues to help amplify vital work being done by non-profit organizations and is intended to help sustain and improve the quality of life in the Valley.”