A Legacy of Service: Knoxville Democrats' First Annual Jimmy Carter Month Recap
President Jimmy Carter spent almost a century showing us what leadership really looks like—not from a podium, but from a construction site with Habitat for Humanity, from election monitoring stations around the world, and from his Sunday school classroom well into his nineties. Service to others wasn't just something he believed in; it was how he lived.
This October, in honor of President Carter's birthday and his extraordinary legacy of service, Knoxville Democrats launched our first annual Jimmy Carter Month of Service. We decided to celebrate not with words alone, but with action, the kind of grassroots, roll-up-your-sleeves work that President Carter has embodied throughout his remarkable life.
What happened next reminded us why we do this work in the first place.
Every District, Every Hand
From Fountain City to Farragut, South Knoxville to Karns, Democrats across all of the country districts showed up. We grabbed trash bags and safety vests for Adopt-A-Road cleanups, sorted donations, removed invasive plant species, and packed food boxes. Our volunteers partnered with the organizations doing critical work in our community every single day.
Why This Matters More Than Ever
These organizations serve thousands of Knox County families every year. They provide food when pantries run bare, healthcare when clinics are out of reach, and community when isolation feels overwhelming.
When federal funding disappears, and it is disappearing right now, local support becomes more critical than ever. The safety net is only as strong as we make it, and that means showing up in person, with our time, our energy, and our commitment.
President Carter understood this. After leaving the White House, he didn't retreat. He picked up a hammer with Habitat for Humanity. He monitored elections around the world. He showed us that service isn't a single act, it's a way of life.
This Is Just the Beginning
Seeing Democrats from every corner of Knox County come together to serve reminded us that we're not just a political party, we're a community. We're neighbors who show up for each other, especially when times get tough.
The families who depend on these organizations need us in November, in February, in July. The work is ongoing, and so is our commitment. President Carter once said, "We must adjust to changing times and still hold to unchanging principles." Our principle is simple: we take care of each other. We show up. We serve.
This month was just the beginning. The real work starts now.
Pick an organization from the list below.
Sign up for a volunteer shift.
Bring a friend. Make it a habit, not just a moment.
Because that's what Jimmy Carter would do, and that's exactly what Knox County needs.
Want to get involved with Knoxville Democrats' ongoing service initiatives?
Complete the Volunteer Form or follow us on social media for upcoming activities.
Together, we're building the Knox County we all deserve.