"
We are grateful to all of our participants and supporters who made this event a smashing success,” said Kelly Orrico, who co-founded WPRP with her husband, C.J.
More than 300 people attended the event held at Cool Sports in Farragut where teams competed in corn hole toss, wiffle ball home-run derby, Nerf gun sharp shooting and other backyard sports. The 25 teams, with their 85 fundraisers and teammates, earned points by fundraising and winning at the games. The Knoxville Village Games wrapped up with strong performances from all teams. Siege of Supporters came out on top, earning the title of Knoxville Village Champs and taking home the trophy. Team Chicago finished in second place, while The Conklin Crew took third place with an Honorable Mention. The Conklin Crew was also recognized as the “Most Athletic” team of the competition. “It was a great event filled with energy, teamwork and community spirit,” said Orrico.
More information about the Friendzy, its teams, funds raised and auction is available online at www.wprp.org.
Since its founding in 2022, the Widowed Parent Relief Project has served 33 widowed parents and 91 children. Its service area is Knoxville, Farragut, Lenoir City, Loudon, Oak Ridge and Maryville.
“We want widowed moms and dads to know they are not alone and that there are people and resources right here in their hometown with the desire to love on them during the critical first few years after losing their spouse,” Orrico said. “It takes a village.”
If you are a recent widow or widower in this service area, or know someone who is, and you are raising children under age 18, you may qualify for WPRP’s services.
WPRP pairs widowed parents with a volunteer Family Friend to meet once a month for a year. Each Family Friend is trained to follow a well-established system and walk alongside a widowed parent for the year. The volunteer assesses needs, offers resources and works to get those needs met through a community of supporters.
WPRP also offers social events, educational presentations and activities for children and teens to help families feel less alone. WPRP’s mission is to help build an enduring support system and alleviate everyday stressors for widowed parents, so they can spend more time with their children and focus on their family’s mental health and healing.