Charitable Projects
Overview
In addition to providing funding to the Abby Gibson Veterinary Medicine Scholarship Endowment, money raised through events held in Abby's memory and through private donations will be used for charitable projects that help to provide positive interactions between children and animals. These charitable projects include: awarding program scholarships; organizing service projects; and providing monetary grants, all of which support established 501(c)(3) non-profit organization programs that provide children with therapeutic and/or educational interactions with animals in East Tennessee.
Past Projects
2017 Abby Gibson Memorial Service Project
After Abby's passing, we wanted to find ways to honor her on her birthday so we began doing a service project each year in her memory. Abby's 18th birthday memorial service project the last one done through Abby's Foundation, but we will continue to do special projects in her memory and will be sure to share those.
For the Foundation's final service project, we organized a group of volunteers to participate in the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont's Annual Volunteer Work Day. Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont delivers experiential learning for youth, educators, and adults through programs that promote self-discovery, critical thinking, and effective teaching and leadership. They believe that education creates lasting positive change for people and our planet. From their home in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, our research and residential programs investigate the diversity that sustains all life, develop a sense of place, and cultivate a stewardship ethic that will influence lifelong decision-making.
Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont relies heavily on volunteers to help them accomplish their mission. We enjoyed a fun day accomplishing many projects they had on their to-do list, everything from clearing trails to writing note cards. They always have volunteer opportunities so be sure to check those out. You won't regret it!
Words can never express how grateful we are for everyone who not only participated in this year's service project, but past years as well.
After Abby's passing, we wanted to find ways to honor her on her birthday so we began doing a service project each year in her memory. Abby's 18th birthday memorial service project the last one done through Abby's Foundation, but we will continue to do special projects in her memory and will be sure to share those.
For the Foundation's final service project, we organized a group of volunteers to participate in the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont's Annual Volunteer Work Day. Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont delivers experiential learning for youth, educators, and adults through programs that promote self-discovery, critical thinking, and effective teaching and leadership. They believe that education creates lasting positive change for people and our planet. From their home in Great Smoky Mountains National Park, our research and residential programs investigate the diversity that sustains all life, develop a sense of place, and cultivate a stewardship ethic that will influence lifelong decision-making.
Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont relies heavily on volunteers to help them accomplish their mission. We enjoyed a fun day accomplishing many projects they had on their to-do list, everything from clearing trails to writing note cards. They always have volunteer opportunities so be sure to check those out. You won't regret it!
Words can never express how grateful we are for everyone who not only participated in this year's service project, but past years as well.
2016 Abby Gibson Memorial Service Project
Each year we do a special service project in Abby's memory for her birthday. For Abby's 17th birthday memorial service project; we raised funds for the Girls Outside with Ijams program to help cover the cost for girls who otherwise could not afford it and also provide hiking supplies/educational materials to girls participating in the program. With the help of our generous supporters, we were able to raise $1,000 for their program!
Girls Outside with Ijams is a local non-profit program with the mission of providing opportunities for young girls to develop healthy and rewarding outdoor hobbies through programs that emphasize unplugging and having fun in nature with peers, learning about their environment, and engaging responsibly in activities that encourage independence and promote their physical, emotional and social well-being.
Thank you for helping us continue to honor Abby's life and memory!
2016 Walk & Wag
Our 5th and final Walk & Wag event was a huge success! All proceeds benefited the Abby Gibson Veterinary Scholarship Endowment. We are incredibly grateful for everyone who supported us and helped us build a legacy for Abby that will help others for generations to come.
Each year we do a special service project in Abby's memory for her birthday. For Abby's 17th birthday memorial service project; we raised funds for the Girls Outside with Ijams program to help cover the cost for girls who otherwise could not afford it and also provide hiking supplies/educational materials to girls participating in the program. With the help of our generous supporters, we were able to raise $1,000 for their program!
Girls Outside with Ijams is a local non-profit program with the mission of providing opportunities for young girls to develop healthy and rewarding outdoor hobbies through programs that emphasize unplugging and having fun in nature with peers, learning about their environment, and engaging responsibly in activities that encourage independence and promote their physical, emotional and social well-being.
Thank you for helping us continue to honor Abby's life and memory!
2016 Walk & Wag
Our 5th and final Walk & Wag event was a huge success! All proceeds benefited the Abby Gibson Veterinary Scholarship Endowment. We are incredibly grateful for everyone who supported us and helped us build a legacy for Abby that will help others for generations to come.
2015 Abby Gibson Memorial Service Project
2015 Walk & Wag
Along with the Abby Gibson Veterinary Medicine Scholarship Endowment, proceeds from the 4th Annual Walk & Wag event benefited the following local non-profits: H.A.L.T., H.A.B.I.T., and The Knoxville Zoo's Zoo Fund For Kids.
Proceeds of the 4th Annual Walk & Wag event were used for the following:
H.A.B.I.T.: "H.A.B.I.T. (Human Animal Bond In Tennessee) is a community group of volunteers working together to explore the circumstances and consequences of the human-animal bond and to promote this valuable bond between people and animals. H.A.B.I.T. is comprised of representatives from the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine, volunteers from the community, and private veterinary practitioners." -H.A.B.I.T.
H.A.L.T.: "H.A.L.T. (Humans & Animals Learning Together) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) program that provides a therapeutic intervention for at-risk adolescents through a series of dog obedience training classes. Dogs are rescued from local animal shelters to participate in the class. With the help of adult volunteers adolescents teach the dogs basic obedience commands, providing a therapeutic intervention for the student trainers while increasing the adoptability of shelter dogs. The dogs are adopted into suitable homes after the class is complete." -H.A.L.T.
The Knoxville Zoo's ZooFund for Kids: "Donations to the ZooFund for Kids help bring thousands of students to the zoo who otherwise could not afford to attend. Each year over 10,000 students and their chaperones receive need-based free admission to visit the zoo based on Title I status. Because income from admission is so important in supporting the zoo's operations, the generous support of community members like you helps low-income children in our region have their own wonderful zoo experiences." -The Knoxville Zoo
2015 Walk & Wag
Along with the Abby Gibson Veterinary Medicine Scholarship Endowment, proceeds from the 4th Annual Walk & Wag event benefited the following local non-profits: H.A.L.T., H.A.B.I.T., and The Knoxville Zoo's Zoo Fund For Kids.
Proceeds of the 4th Annual Walk & Wag event were used for the following:
- $12,000 for the Abby Gibson Veterinary Medicine Scholarship Endowment
- $600 to fund the H.A.B.I.T. East Tennessee Children's Hospital annual program fee
- $500 to fund the purchase of books for H.A.B.I.T.'s Ruff Reading program
- $500 to fund H.A.L.T.'s 2014 Fall Session and 2015 Spring Sessions
- $900 to fund, through The Knoxville Zoo's ZooFund For Kids, the zoo admissions for five classrooms from Title I schools.
H.A.B.I.T.: "H.A.B.I.T. (Human Animal Bond In Tennessee) is a community group of volunteers working together to explore the circumstances and consequences of the human-animal bond and to promote this valuable bond between people and animals. H.A.B.I.T. is comprised of representatives from the University of Tennessee College of Veterinary Medicine, volunteers from the community, and private veterinary practitioners." -H.A.B.I.T.
H.A.L.T.: "H.A.L.T. (Humans & Animals Learning Together) is a non-profit 501(c)(3) program that provides a therapeutic intervention for at-risk adolescents through a series of dog obedience training classes. Dogs are rescued from local animal shelters to participate in the class. With the help of adult volunteers adolescents teach the dogs basic obedience commands, providing a therapeutic intervention for the student trainers while increasing the adoptability of shelter dogs. The dogs are adopted into suitable homes after the class is complete." -H.A.L.T.
The Knoxville Zoo's ZooFund for Kids: "Donations to the ZooFund for Kids help bring thousands of students to the zoo who otherwise could not afford to attend. Each year over 10,000 students and their chaperones receive need-based free admission to visit the zoo based on Title I status. Because income from admission is so important in supporting the zoo's operations, the generous support of community members like you helps low-income children in our region have their own wonderful zoo experiences." -The Knoxville Zoo
2014 Abby Gibson Memorial Service Project
Each year for Abby's birthday, we do a service project in her memory. In honor of Abby's 15th birthday, we chose to fund the cost of one girl to attend the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont's Girls In Science summer program. We encourage you to visit this link to learn more about this awesome program that gives girls ages 12-15 the opportunity to "get up close and personal with critters, plants, and the forces that shape our natural world." We know that if Abby were here with us, she would have loved it.
To complete this project, we raised the money needed to fund the cost of one girl's attendance. Those who donated a minimum of $25 received a special butterfly ornament crafted by Dave Rogers, owner of the Wood Cottage in Gatlinburg, along with a card that included a sweet journal entry Abby wrote about hiking to Rainbow Falls in the GSMNP.
With the help of our generous supporters, we were able to raise $900 for last year's project!!! Not only will this cover the cost for one girl to attend the Girls In Science Program in Abby's memory, it will also help another girl who might need financial assistance.
2014 Walk & Wag
Along with the Abby Gibson Veterinary Medicine Scholarship Endowment, proceeds from the 3rd Annual Walk & Wag event benefited the following local non-profits: H.A.L.T., H.A.B.I.T., and The Knoxville Zoo's Zoo Fund For Kids.
Proceeds of the 3rd Annual Walk & Wag event were used for the following:
Each year for Abby's birthday, we do a service project in her memory. In honor of Abby's 15th birthday, we chose to fund the cost of one girl to attend the Great Smoky Mountains Institute at Tremont's Girls In Science summer program. We encourage you to visit this link to learn more about this awesome program that gives girls ages 12-15 the opportunity to "get up close and personal with critters, plants, and the forces that shape our natural world." We know that if Abby were here with us, she would have loved it.
To complete this project, we raised the money needed to fund the cost of one girl's attendance. Those who donated a minimum of $25 received a special butterfly ornament crafted by Dave Rogers, owner of the Wood Cottage in Gatlinburg, along with a card that included a sweet journal entry Abby wrote about hiking to Rainbow Falls in the GSMNP.
With the help of our generous supporters, we were able to raise $900 for last year's project!!! Not only will this cover the cost for one girl to attend the Girls In Science Program in Abby's memory, it will also help another girl who might need financial assistance.
2014 Walk & Wag
Along with the Abby Gibson Veterinary Medicine Scholarship Endowment, proceeds from the 3rd Annual Walk & Wag event benefited the following local non-profits: H.A.L.T., H.A.B.I.T., and The Knoxville Zoo's Zoo Fund For Kids.
Proceeds of the 3rd Annual Walk & Wag event were used for the following:
- $11,000 for the Abby Gibson Veterinary Medicine Scholarship Endowment
- $600 to fund the H.A.B.I.T. East Tennessee Children's Hospital annual program fee
- $500 to fund H.A.L.T.'s 2014 Fall Session and 2015 Spring Sessions
- $900 to fund, through The Knoxville Zoo's ZooFund For Kids, the zoo admissions for five classrooms from Title I schools.