The Ladies of Charity in Knoxville held a dedication and blessing ceremony on Oct. 22 to officially mark the completion of its new, expanded parking lot and the installation of a flag pole and memorial stone that honors one of its longtime volunteers.
Susan Unbehaun, Ladies of Charity executive director, noted that the Catholic non-profit social services ministry will celebrate its 80th anniversary in 2022 and will do so with a history of growth that now reflects a wide array of services in addition to its traditional and popular thrift store.
The reconfigured and enlarged parking lot features more handicap-accessible parking spaces and bicycle racks, with room for 50 vehicles at one time.
Mrs. Unbehaun also noted that the property upgrade, performed by Joseph Construction of Knoxville, led to a Ladies of Charity nomination for a 2021 City of Knoxville Orchid Award for public beautification. Mrs. Unbehaun also noted that Ladies of Charity is nominated for Best Thrift Store in Knoxville.
Special guests for the dedication and blessing ceremony were Erika Fuhr and her family, Cindy and Don Hudson.
The new flagpole and accompanying memorial stone are in memory of Mrs. Fuhr’s husband, Joseph E. “Joe” Fuhr, for his faith-filled volunteer service to the Ladies of Charity.
Ladies of Charity president Lisa Daley made a special presentation to the Fuhr family.
Father Bill McNeeley, pastor of Holy Ghost Parish, and Father Tim Sullivan, CSP, associate pastor of Immaculate Conception Parish and spiritual moderator for the Ladies of Charity, led the blessing phase of the ceremony.
The ceremony guests were then treated to a dinner on the Ladies of Charity grounds at 120 W. Baxter Ave.
