KINGSPORT — Several volunteers from ETSU were on hand Saturday for the National Kidney Foundation of East Tennessee’s (NKF of ET) annual Northeast Tennessee Chocolate Fest which was held at the Meadowview Convention Center in Kingsport.
The event is held every year to help raise money for people in East Tennessee who are afflicted with different kidney-disease related problems such as dialysis, organ donation, transplantation, transportation, identification and medication.
Chocolate Fest allows different ocal restaurants and businesses to promote themselves and give out information while attracting patrons by giving out chocolate and other goodies.
“It’s really exciting that all of these businesses donated chocolate and their time in support of the National Kidney Found-ation,” said Kate Young, a member of Alpha Phi Omega, the national co-ed service fraternity.
Vendors included Applebee’s, the Meadowview Convention Center, PET Dairy Products, Little Debbie Snacks, Martha Washington Inn, Walters State Community College, Culligan, the Texas Roadhouse and Proffitt’s which had two different booths, one featuring Godiva chocolates.
The booths included various goodies, including some that were homemade. Items included candies, cakes, ice creams, coffees and other tasty treats.
“It was just a delicious atmosphere,” said Stephen Taylor, Alpha Phi Omega.
The booths not only promoted themselves, but some gave helpful information. There were medical specialists, such as chiropractors, eye specialists and cosmetic surgeons, some that offered free examinations.
There were two different kinds of tickets available for the event. The regular ticket, which was $10 in advance and $12.50 at the door, allowed the patron to walk around to all of the booths gathering information and chocolate.
The second type of ticket, which was $15 in advance and $17.50 at the door, gave the buyer access to the Chocolate Fest Caf. He or she would be seated and served all of the chocolate and treats from the various booths without having to get it themselves.
Walters State Community College’s choral group provided some entertainment for the event by singing several songs from Disney movies.
There was also two auctions held which featured items such as paintings and other artwork. One auction was silent while the other allowed the buyers to speak.
“I was really glad to see so many people out supporting the National Kidney Foundation,” said Jean-Paul Lavoie, Alpha Phi Omega member.
Chocolate Fest is one of the many fund-raisers that the NKF holds each year. Another popular one is the National Kidney Walk. Another Chocolate Fest is also held in Knoxville each year.
“It was a lot of fun to get to see so many people and be involved in such an important fund-raiser,” said Mackenzie Melloy of Alpha Phi Omega.
Chocolate Fest was sponsored primarily by Tennessee Communications.
It was also sponsored by WKPT Radio, Charter Communication and Meadow-view Resort.

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