| Sources |
- [S84] E-Mail, Stacy Reagan [skreagan@comcast.net], 22 Nov 2007.
- [S84] E-Mail, Jamie Weiss [info@jamieweiss.com], 28 Sep 2008.
- [S27] The Daily Times, http://www.thedailytimes.com/, (Blount County, Tennessee), 22 Oct 2010.
Father, daughter team up for United Way Gas Day
By Aaron Killian
United Way of Blount County
Cheerleading, choir practice, volunteering for a local nonprofit organization — all sound like the activities of a busy high school student, but it's just a typical week for 8-year-old Alyssa Weiss.
Alyssa is pumping gas for United Way Gas Day today with her father Jay, an electrical journeyman for ALCOA Inc. She is volunteering despite her struggle with muscular dystrophy.
Jay Weiss said that even though his daughter's condition affects her physically and mentally, she wants to make a difference in Blount County.
“We are gonna help people and raise money for people,” Alyssa said. “We are going raise money for United Way. We're gonna pump gas and ask for tips.”
Jay Weiss said that his daughter is very generous, volunteering with the Muscular Dystrophy Association, and he wants to help nurture her giving spirit through Gas Day.
“There are so many people in the community who have helped her out with her muscular dystrophy,” Weiss said. “When we saw United Way Gas Day, I thought it would a great opportunity for her to give back to the community also and teach her about helping others.”
Weiss noted that Alyssa has difficulty doing things the average 8-year-old can do, but her challenges do not keep her from the activities she enjoys.
“I have a lot of admiration for our own daughter because she does things — like cheering with the rest of the girls — and things that all of us take for granted, like being able to jump or walk down a slight slope. All of those things we take for granted,” he said.
Alyssa has benefited from United Way in the past, having received books from Dolly Parton's Imagination Library, which is locally funded by a partnership between the Maryville Kiwanis Foundation and United Way of Blount County.
“You know your red train that says ‘Dollywood' on it?” Jay asked Alyssa. “It holds all of your books, and all of those books you got from Dolly Parton (Imagination Library)? Those books are from United Way.”
“I have that in my room!” Alyssa said with a broad smile.
Jay plans on picking up Alyssa from school so that the pair can volunteer in the late afternoon at the On-the-Run station at Hunt Road and East Broadway Avenue in Maryville with other volunteers from ALCOA Inc.
Other companies and organizations that will be supporting Gas Day again this year include BB&T, Blount County Habitat for Humanity, CBBC, Cate-Russell Insurance, DENSO, First Tennessee Bank, Leadership Blount, Realty III, Rural Metro and Wal-Mart.
Volunteers from local Blount County, Alcoa and Maryville police, fire, and administrative departments will also support the event.
New teams of volunteers will also pitch in for Gas Day, including Alcoa Tenn Federal Credit Union, Blount Memorial Hospital, Cornerstone of Recovery, Chroma Graphics, Dixie Iron Riders, the Dragon Chapter of HOG, and McGhee Tyson Air National Guard Base.
Visit area E-Z Stop, KenJo Markets, Mr. Gas, On-the-Run locations, and the Townsend Village Market IGA to support Gas Day.
A portion of your gas purchase and 10 percent of all fountain drinks and coffee sales will benefit United Way's fall campaign.
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