Customers and well-wishers at Fatman’s Tobacco in Sevierville Wednesday had a lot to celebrate.
With a live local remote featuring morning jocks Steve Hartford and Jay Adams from Mix 105.5, the owners of Fatman’s gathered a truckload of gifts for SafeSpace, a local charity that benefits abused women and children. Steve and Jay sizzled the airwaves with their own brand of humor as they asked concerned members of the community to join in the effort.
Also on hand were freshly grilled hot dogs prepared by co-owners Vince Stormes and Kathy Johnson. Vendors for the shop also donated merchandise to the store to encourage customers to drop by for the event.
Among the items donated were cell phones, clothing, and household items like bed sheets and bath towels to assist dislocated women and children, including regular household items like shampoo, razors, soap and paper towels. Everything was welcome.
Co-owner Vince will join SafeSpace’s staff as soon as he completes the special training required. Volunteers are needed as much or more than donated items.
“Battering women is a crime that’s completely avoidable,” Vince said. “I really don’t know what the motivation is behind it, but I do know that it’s never necessary.”
Co-owner Kathy Johnson agrees. “I really wish people would pay more attention to the ones in need. We don’t have a lot ourselves, but whatever we can get, we give to those that need it, and we ask our customers to do the same.”
Fatman’s Tobacco opened February 3 at their new location; Vince says that he is extremely happy with their new site near the corner of Hwy. 441 and Forks of the River in the K-Mart shopping plaza. “This [property] was not our first choice, but I’m really happy that we ended up with it. I really like that we’re surrounded by people that own their own stores.”
Fatman’s will host a new event for a different charity each month. November will see the tobacco store sponsor a live remote for donations to the Marine Corps’ Toys for Tots, while in December the benefits will go to the Forgotten Child Fund.
Fatman’s Tobacco is open from 7 a.m. – 8 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. – 6 p.m. Sunday.

… read the rest of the story by Subscribing now.

... read the rest of the story by Subscribing now.