Ignite Award
The McMinn County Education Foundation Ignite Award publicly recognizes and thanks an individual or organization who provided time, skills, other assistance, including financial support, to the McMinn County Education Foundation projects and causes.
2026 Tennessee Wesleyan University: The Leadership in Education provided by TWU continues to impress and inspire. Tennessee Wesleyan has a habit of saying "YES" to requests made by MCEF. This award winning university is a wonderful addition to our community and to the programming of the foundation.
2025 Shelley Tullier With a passion for grief and the students of the McMinn County Area, Shelley is the founder and creative force behind "The Healing Hearts Grief Camp". This is an opportunity for students from 5 - 13 to begin to process grief over the loss of a close relative. MCEF has been involved with this important work since it began in 2023.
2024
Jim and Patti Greek (pictured right), owners of Greeks Bearing Gifts, have always been supportive of the MCEF. They answer all requests from their community with an enthusiastic response of "We would like to do that"! Last year, they sponsored a "Raising School Spirit" night at Athens Movie Palace with proceeds going to MCEF. Jim and Patti are wonderful examples of what philanthropy in Athens looks like!
Jim and Patti Greek (pictured right), owners of Greeks Bearing Gifts, have always been supportive of the MCEF. They answer all requests from their community with an enthusiastic response of "We would like to do that"! Last year, they sponsored a "Raising School Spirit" night at Athens Movie Palace with proceeds going to MCEF. Jim and Patti are wonderful examples of what philanthropy in Athens looks like!
