farragutpress

FPS Project Giving Tree supports families in need

November 26, 2025 by Staff Reports

For many, holidays are a time of gift-giving and meals with family and friends.

But, for some families — including many in Farragut — this time of year can be stressful, as they struggle to afford the cost of holiday gifts and food, according to Kaitlynn Copinger, FPS Project Giving Tree co-chair for Farragut schools.

“Thanks to the generosity of our community, Project Giving Tree is proud to support these families in need, bringing light to those going through a dark time,” she said.

Copinger explained Project Giving Tree is a joint program of the four Farragut school Parent Teacher Organizations, “designed to benefit families who need a little extra help during the holiday season.

“We provide new clothing, holiday toys and gifts and food assistance in December,” she said.

“Project Giving Tree helps my kids at Christmas time,” one recipient family shared. “We are a low-income family, and this program provides my kids (with) clothes, toys and books that they appreciate so much. This program is a blessing for my family.”

“We know the need is great for many,” Copinger said. “Across the four Farragut schools, we have identified about 90 families and over 225 children who need our help.

“We humbly request your support during our fundraising drive, so no child in our community goes without this year,” she said.

Future Leaders Day to give students a chance to learn skills

November 26, 2025 by Tammy Cheek

Albert Liu, Farragut High School student representative on Farragut Municipal Planning Commission and on Knox County Board of Education is taking every opportunity to learn leadership skills.

He and fellow FHS Youth in Government members want to give middle school students in grades sixth through eighth a similar opportunity with Future Leaders Day, which involves sessions to help younger students learn more about leadership, from 12:30 to 4:30 p.m., Saturday, Dec. 6, at FHS Commons and classrooms.

Future Leaders Day is a one-day event in which any student in Knox County can take part in interactive sessions about civics, the legal system, business and international politics.

“We’ve got a lot of rooms booked, so we will be able to move around, have big spaces to speak,” said Liu, president of the school’s Youth in Government organization. “We’ve got teachers who are ready to be there, so we’re really looking forward to it. We’re really excited.

There is a $20 fee to participate. Register by Saturday, Nov. 29, at https://forms.gle/cgPZx4QvYseDHkFKA

“Future Leaders Day is about two years in the works now,” he said. “We weren’t able to have it that first year just because of all the planning that’s gone into it, but we’ve got it all figured out, so we’re really looking forward to a first-ever Future Leaders Day.”