Stock the Pantires

6/13/2019 (Permalink)

Spotlight on SERVPRO of McMinn, Monroe, and Polk Counties! Our SERVPRO franchise supported and sponsored a recent community outreach program called "Stock The Pantries". Through this community outreach program we were able to supply non perishable food items to three local food banks within McMinn County. We had an outstanding contributions from many corporate sponsors as well as a concert where we raised over $2,000 dollars and over 2500 pounds of food. SERVPRO of McMinn, Monroe and Polk Counties participated in "Leadership McMinn" which is part of yearly class sponsored by the Athens Tennessee Chamber of Commerce. Part of the class project was "Stock The Pantries". We were recently presented with an award for our course completion. Leadership McMinn was a valuable community experience and we thoroughly enjoyed raising funds and food for Stock The Pantries.

Thank you for sponsoring our event and helping us "Stock the Pantries"!

SERVPRO serving our community: Safety Summer Tips

6/13/2019 (Permalink)

July 4th

SERVPRO of McMinn, Monroe and Polk Counties has a commitment to serve our community. 

Whether you’re celebrating America’s Independence by celebrating with family and friends,  grilling out, splashing in the pool or going to the beach, or getting out of town, making safety first priority is the best way to avoid accidents and losses from ruining your well-designed Holiday plans.

Don’t think safety is a necessity for this independence holiday? Consider a few statistics compiled by WalletHub and NFPA:

• 2 states ban all consumer fireworks (Delaware and Massachusetts)
• 68% of all annual fireworks injuries take place within a month of July 4th
• On average, 760 people go to the emergency room with fireworks-related injuries
• July 4th is America’s top beer-drinking holiday
• 466 people are killed in Fourth of July car crashes each year
• In 2018, fireworks caused an estimated 15,600 reported fires in the U.S., over 1,400 of them were structure fires and 14,000 were outside and other fires

As you celebrate the Declaration of Independence in 2019, do so by keeping you, your guests, and your home protected with these Fourth of July safety tips:

Sparkler & Fireworks 

1. Always supervise young children and never allow them to handle sparklers or fireworks.
2. Do not point fireworks at yourself or others.
3. Never attempt to relight a “dud”.
4. Keep a supply of water or a fire extinguisher nearby as a precaution.
5. Never light fireworks near homes, garages, buildings, or structures that could catch fire.
6. Leave an unsafe situation when you feel you or your family’s safety is in danger.

Grill Safety Tips 

1. Clean your grill before using, checking gas tank hose lines for leaks if grilling with propane.
2. Always follow manufacturer recommendations for appropriate use of your grill.
3. Keep your grill at least 10-feet away from structures and deck railings place it on stable ground.
4. Never leave a lit grill unattended.
5. Be prepared to extinguish grease fires using baking soda (not water!) or a fire extinguisher or bucket of sand for all other fires.

Pool Safety Tips

1. Clean your pool and make sure chemicals are at proper levels, and circulation and filtration systems are in recommended working order.
2. Designate a guest or family member to be on “lifeguard duty” whenever swimmers are in the pool. Never leave children unattended.
3. Create and enforce pool rules with guests, such as no diving, no running, and no playing near drains.
4. Become certified in CPR and first aid or update a certification you already have.
5. Install a poolside phone or keep a fully charged cell phone near the pool with emergency numbers programmed.

Gathering Safety Tips 

1. Drink responsibly, and never drink and drive. If you know you’ll be drinking away from home, make plans for rides to and from the gathering before alcohol impairs good judgment.
2. Watch out for the safety of other guests. Catching up with others, playing yard games, or helping out the host can make it easy for people to become distracted. If you see a potential hazard to a person or structure, act quickly or speak up.
3. Beware of hidden insects. With open beverages and new bugs out for the season, it’s easy to take a sip and accidentally get stung. Always check cans and cups before drinking, or better yet, keep your drinks covered for added safety.
4. If fireworks are in the works, be sure to follow local laws before lighting anything off. Fireworks should only be used by sober adults outside and should be kept clear of trees, structures, and other flammable factors. Keep buckets of water or a hose handy to extinguish fireworks as needed.

Everyone here at SERVPRO of McMinn, Monroe and Polk Counties wishes everyone a safe Summer!

Happy Father's Day!

6/13/2018 (Permalink)

Father's Day SERVPRO

Happy Father's Day to all the amazing dad's out there! 

Happy Thanksgiving!

11/23/2017 (Permalink)

Happy Thanksgiving!

We're thankful for wonderful clients that keep us rockin' and rollin' all year. 

From all of us at SERVPRO of McMinn, Monroe, and Polk Counties, we wish you all a very Happy Thanksgiving!

Love Thy Neighbor Project

8/28/2017 (Permalink)

Back Sacks

About the Program

The Back Sacks Program serves to eliminate food insecurity by providing weekend meals to students in need at McMinn County High School and Etowah City School. Back Sacks are prepared by volunteers and members of Education Angels, our partnering student organization. The Back Sacks are then delivered to the guidance office at McMinn County High School and the principal's office at Etowah City School, who oversee the distribution process. The weekend meals typically include a canned protein, vegetable, fruit, grain, juice or breakfast drink, and a few snacks.

The Love Thy Neighbor Project is working to expand this program both within McMinn County High School, Etowah City School and other schools in need. If you’re a parent of a student who needs a Back Sack, please contact us at 423-746-5273.

Fighting Childhood Hunger

How can a child focus on solving a math problem or memorizing a new word when she or he is trying to ignore the persistent pangs of hunger?

Across the country, teachers and school nurses have found that in some instances, Monday morning comes and they are forced to compete against hunger for the attention of their students. More than 18 million children qualify for free or reduced price meals through the National School Lunch Program, the fuel that they need to get them through the week (via Feeding America). Over 70 percent of students in the Athens City School System and 62 percent of students in the McMinn County School System received free or reduced lunch during the 2013-14 academic year.

What happens to these children when they go home over the weekend? Many students who are on these free and reduced lunch lists go home every weekend and have very little to eat until the beginning of the next school week. Childhood hunger impacts one’s ability to cognitively process new information, stay attentive during class, and is a significant predictor of chronic illness (Weinreb et al., 2002). Studies show that students who go hungry are not able to focus as much on school work, and when students are not able to focus on school, they do not perform well in the classroom. When these students reach high school, it's tempting to drop out of school, in order to help support their families. This continues the cycle of poverty on to the next generation. The Back Sacks Program offers assistance to break this cycle and keep students in school.

Credit: Tennessee Wesleyan University
https://www.tnwesleyan.edu/student-life/service-and-leadership/love-thy-neighbor-project/community-members/back-sacks/