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Margaret Grizzell Loving of Bristol, Tennessee, died in 1995 and established this Trust with the Holston Conference Foundation as a permanent fund to support programming for senior citizens in the Holston Conference of the United Methodist Church. The Foundation’s Grant Committee oversees the stewardship and distribution of funds from the Loving Trust.  Mrs. Loving’s generosity and concern for senior citizens has set a marvelous example of Christian philanthropy, which will benefit others in perpetuity.

Senior grants are to be geared toward Holston Conference associated churches and to provide educational, recreational, and spiritual programming for older adults. Each year we will have approximately $55,000 available (grants normally range from a few hundred dollars to several thousand). The Trust’s guidelines state that no part of the grant funds should be used for the maintenance, operation, or construction of physical facilities. Grant requests for equipment will be considered if necessary for the program or specified activities. The Grants Committee will review each year, which should include a brief summary of the project, the budgeted need and other funding services. Seed money for new projects is encouraged. Matching funds/challenge grants are also encouraged. Ongoing support and general operating support for existing programs are discouraged.

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Rev. Thomas Carriger was born December 25, 1907 in Morristown, Tennessee and died November 12, 1997. He was married to Ethel Irene Dicks and had two children, Thomas Peter Carriger and Elizabeth Hubley. He was a graduate of Duke Divinity School and pastored 16 churches in Holston Conference from 1935-1989. The last 16 years he was semi-retired on the staff of Tyner UMC.  He was one of the founding members of the Foundation for Evangelism. He was described by a friend as “the grin reaper” because of his special talent to lift spirits when he came to visit and sing favorite hymns with shut-ins. He was known for his religious poetry and published a book of poems and prose titled “A Burning … In My Bones” in 1989. Proceeds were dedicated to the Hiwassee College scholarship funds for ministerial students.

Rev. Carriger created a charitable trust through the Foundation and also included the Foundation in his will. Each year about $5,000 goes directly to Hiwassee College for scholarships and $5,000 is available for Evangelism grants. Grants range in size from $1,000 - $2,500 and are available for Holston Conference affiliated churches and ministries. Grants are not available for construction or maintenance of facilities. Seed money for new projects is encouraged. Grants are for a single year and ongoing support is not possible. 

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Eudow Hamm was a quiet and gentle man with a love of God and life. He was born in Kentucky in 1924, served in the Navy, and wound up in Florida, where he met and married Maybelle. Eudow retired as the Chief of the Miami Police Department in the 1970's. A love of the mountains led to the purchase of a small Tennessee farm, where they jointed Fox UMC in 1976. Cold weather took its toll on Maybelle's arthritis and they contemplated selling the farm. That's when Karen Whitlock, a local realtor, entered their lives. Maybelle became ill and was not concerned about herself, but about who would check on Eudow. Karen promised she would be there, which seemed to give Maybelle peace. After months of tender care from Eudow, Maybelle slipped into a coma and died. On his 82nd birthday, Karen had no other present so she reached into her closet and wrapped up a copy of Rick Warren's, A Purpose Driven Life. He devoured the book...taking notes to share with his ladies class at Fox UMC. When Eudow read the chapter about tithing, he got very concerned because he had not tithed. He told Karen that his blessings had come from God and he needed to return God's money. Eudow left a bequest to The Holston Conference Foundation of close to $400,000 to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The Endowment is used to award grants to churches and ministries in the Holston Conference. Each year about $15,000 is available and normal grants range from $1,000 - $4,000. Grants are for a single year and ongoing support is not possible.

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The Redwine Fund for Strategic Ministries was established through a bequest from the estate of John B. Redwine of Scott County, Virginia. The first grants were distributed in 1980 and through the years the grants have been made totaling more than the original gift while maintaining the original gift of approximately $110,000. Redwine grants are to be used for the development of strategic ministries that have a definite promise of making a continuing impact for the betterment of people and which are consistent with the program and purposes of the United Methodist Church. Grant funds are not to be used for construction or loans, but only for impact program ministries in the Holston Conference. Each year about $5,000 - $6,000 is available.