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Teacher, community leader, City Councilmember and long-time supporter of the Boys & Girls Club, Kay Senter will be recognized with the Lifetime Achievement award at the Annual Steak and Burger Dinner to be held June 29 at First Presbyterian Church in Morristown.

“The Lifetime Achievement Award for Service to Youth is given annually by The Boys & Girls Club Foundation of Morristown to recognize those who have, over a lifetime, gone the extra mile to make sure that the area’s young people are cared for and are provided opportunities to grow and develop into productive adults regardless of the life circumstances in which they find themselves,” Club Executive Director John Seals said. “This award is a way to highlight the dedication and service of those in our community who have worked tirelessly over a lifetime to give of themselves for the betterment of others, without a doubt Kay Senter fits this criteria and more.”

Senter says serving on the Boys & Girls Club Board and working with the Club youth members is undoubtedly one of the best opportunities of service that she has experienced.

“I had heard Club members talk about the ‘blue doors’ and the difference walking through those doors and becoming a Club member made in their lives. I had no idea what impact walking through the ‘blue doors’ at the Boys & Girls Club would have on me when I was asked to become a member of the Board,” she said. “Working with the Club youth members and seeing them grow and mature has been rewarding. The mission of the Boys & Girls Club and had profound effect on how I see the mission of the Boys & Girls Club accomplished each day that youth walk through the ‘blue doors.’”

Senter says the Boys & Girls Club is a “safe place” for youth of all ages to establish friendships, expand their horizons, learn new skills, receive academic and personal support, participate in activities and trips, develop social skills, interact with others, discover artistic and performing arts talents, and challenge themselves to become productive, successful citizens,” she said. “One activity I especially enjoy each year is delivering Christmas cards to Life Care residents with the youth. Club members of all ages sign the cards. Then the high school Club members deliver the cards to the residents. I enjoy watching the interaction between Club members and the residents when they hand them a card and sing a Christmas Carole.

“Our youth are our future! Investing in our youth is the best investment anyone can make. The Morristown Boys & Girls Club is investing in our youth and making a difference.”

In 1993, Kay Senter was the first woman elected to the Morristown City Council, and she continues to serve the City as a member of City Council. During her tenure, she has served as Vice-Mayor and chaired the Finance Committee for several terms. Kay serves on the Tennessee Municipal League (TML) Bond Fund Board (Chair); TML Board (Past-President); the University of Tennessee-Municipal Technical Advisory Board (MTAS); National League of Cities Women in Government Advisory Board (Past President); Tennessee Women in Government (Past President).

She has served on the TML Risk Management Pool Board.

She represented Tennessee on the National League of Cities (NLC) Public Safety Steering and Advocacy Committee (1997-2020). In 2011, Lt. Governor Ron Ramsey appointed Kay to a four-year term on the Tennessee Advisory Commission on Intergovernmental Relations (TACIR). Speaker of the House Beth Harwell reappointed her to another four-year term on TACIR in 2015.

Service – Morristown Community

Service on local boards and organizations currently includes: Morristown-Hamblen/Covenant Hospital Board, Hospital Foundation Board and Hospital Credentials Committee; Boys & Girls Club, Inc. (Past-President); GFWC Somo Sala Circle (Past President); Hamblen County 911 Board; First United Methodist Church Trustee; Senior Citizens Center Board; Morristown-Hamblen Imagination Library Advisory Council; Girls, Inc. 100 Club; Crockett Tavern Museum; Morristown-Hamblen Library Board; PEO, National Women’s organization that provides financial support to women attending college; DAR; the Chamber of Commerce.

She previously served on the Tusculum College President’s Advisory Council; the Association for the Preservation of Tennessee Antiquities; Morristown Cemetery Preservation Committee; P-16 Council.

”We are excited to honor Kay Senter this year for her life’s work. We are especially appreciative for her work with the Boys and Girls Club of Morristown where she has served as a Board Member for sixteen years now and also served as the Board President. Like all of our Board members, she always goes above and beyond the call to make sure that our club and this community support our young people.”

This year’s guest speaker will be coach Kellie Harper of the University of Tennessee Lady Vols.

The Steak & Burger Fundraiser features adults eating hamburgers, while the youth are served steaks. It is one of the club’s most popular annual events. The private reception will begin at 5 p.m. and the dinner at 6:30 p.m.

There are several tiers for those who wish to support the event.

The Dream Makers tier – for donations of $5,000 and Up – provides head table seating for six adults and two Club Youths, a banner, a framed portrait w/speaker, a private reception w/speakers, a table sign and a name in program.

The Star Makers level – for donations of $2,500 and Up – provides special front row seating for adults and two club youths, Framed Portrait w/Speaker, Private Reception w/Speakers, Table Sign and Name in Program.

The Gold Table – for donors $1,500 and Up – table for six adults, two youths, Private Reception w/Speakers, Table Sign and Name in Program

Silver Table – for donations of $1,000 and Up – will provide a table for six adults and two Club Youths, a table sign and a Name in Program.

The Bronze Patron level – for donations of $250 – includes a Private Reception w/Speakers, One Dinner Ticket and Name in Program.

The Patron level – for $200 – includes One Dinner Ticket and Name in Program.

To reserve a Table/Seat, please call the Boys & Girls Club of Morristown 423-586-2331 or Scott Reams 423-586-9302 or any board Member/Trustee.