If you’re feeling the effects of the lull between Christmas and the new year, there’s nothing better than finding something fun or productive to do to keep the family busy!
The holiday season has so much momentum and excitement leading up to all the celebrations. Slowing down after the holidays can be confusing for children, so how do we switch off this mindset of hustle and bustle leading into the New Year? It’s great to get back into the groove of your normal routine with your family and slow down, but keep the momentum going just a little bit with some family fun.
Today on The Morning Thing, we shared 10 Things to do with your kids between the Holidays and New Year straight from sunshinehouse.com!
Mount Vernon Mayor Matt Starr opens the Year in Review with WNZR’s Eric Brown by reflecting on the overall direction of the city over the past year. He notes that while there were challenges along the way, Mount Vernon continued to move forward with stability and purpose. The mayor emphasizes teamwork between city staff, council, and the community as a key factor in maintaining momentum.
Mayor Starr also touches on the importance of planning ahead, explaining that much of the work done this year focused on laying a solid foundation for future progress. He frames the year as one marked by steady leadership, thoughtful decision-making, and a continued commitment to serving residents.
Mayor Starr discusses city finances and budgeting, highlighting the importance of being fiscally responsible while still meeting the needs of the community. He explains how the city worked to balance priorities, manage resources wisely, and remain mindful of economic pressures affecting local governments.
He also stresses transparency in the budgeting process, noting that careful planning allows Mount Vernon to maintain services and invest in long-term goals. The mayor reinforces that responsible financial decisions made this year will benefit residents well into the future.
Mayor Starr turns the focus to infrastructure and city improvements, sharing updates on ongoing and completed projects throughout Mount Vernon. He explains how street work, utilities, and maintenance projects play a crucial role in keeping the city safe and functional, even when those efforts aren’t always highly visible.
He also acknowledges that infrastructure work can be inconvenient at times, but emphasizes that these projects are necessary investments. Mayor Starr reassures residents that the city remains committed to improving quality of life through smart, well-planned upgrades.
In this segment, Mayor Starr highlights economic development and growth within Mount Vernon. He talks about efforts to support local businesses, attract new investment, and create an environment where the local economy can continue to thrive.
The mayor also points to partnerships with developers and community organizations as an important part of that success. He notes that growth is being approached thoughtfully, with an emphasis on maintaining Mount Vernon’s character while planning for the future.
Mayor Starr wraps up the Year in Review by looking ahead, sharing optimism for what lies ahead for Mount Vernon. He reflects on lessons learned throughout the year and how those experiences will shape decisions moving forward.
He closes by expressing gratitude to city employees, council members, and residents for their continued support and involvement. Mayor Starr reinforces his commitment to leadership, collaboration, and keeping Mount Vernon moving in a positive direction in the year ahead.
Click HERE to keep up to date with the City of Mount Vernon!
Katie Ellis, Director of the United Way of Knox County, recently sat down with WNZR’s Eric Brown to share an update on this year’s United Way campaign—and the impact it continues to have across the county.
Katie says the community response has been encouraging. Support continues to come in through individual donations and employer matching programs, helping push the campaign close to the $400,000 mark. The overall goal this year is $1.1 million, and while there’s still work to do, the momentum is strong.
She also took time to explain the heart behind the United Way’s mission. With so many organizations working together under one umbrella, United Way helps strengthen local nonprofits while supporting each group’s individual goals. Many of these organizations serve Knox County families in different ways, and the need for their services continues to grow.
One common misconception, Katie says, is that the United Way campaign ends at the close of the calendar year. In reality, the campaign runs through March 31st, giving supporters more time to get involved and make an impact.
Several United Way partner organizations have been serving the community for generations. Thanks to continued support, many have been able to expand their services and reach even more people in need.
Katie highlighted United Way’s three focus areas: education, healthy living, and financial stability. The goal isn’t just to help families survive, but to help them truly thrive. By addressing the greatest needs in the community, United Way works to create long-term, meaningful change.
She also emphasized education around healthy living and financial stability, noting that many programs supported by United Way help people “turn the corner” and, in some cases, completely change their lives.
For those who haven’t given before, Katie encourages taking that first step. Every donation matters—large or small. She notes that even $2.50 a month can help make a difference for someone in Knox County.
If your house is full of kids with extra energy and you’re feeling the pressure of a long holiday to-do list, you’re not alone.
The Christmas season can be joyful, but it can also be overwhelming when it feels like everything is on your shoulders.
That’s why iMOM.com suggests letting kids be part of the holiday prep. With simple, age-appropriate tasks, kids get to contribute, feel proud of their role, and help make Christmas meaningful — and parents get a little breathing room along the way.
Earlier on The Morning Thing Monday, we shared a list of holiday helper ideas broken down by age to make it easy to get everyone involved.
December can feel overwhelming for families. Gifts to buy and wrap, cards to send, cookies to bake, houses to clean, decorations to hang, and recitals to attend—just when one task is finished, another takes its place.
This season, consider moving something down the list and adding one simple but powerful practice: Christmas prayer. Taking time to pray—daily or even weekly—can help you stay focused on what truly matters. Prayer brings peace, eases stress, and shifts the focus away from perfection and toward joy.
The iMOM Christmas Prayers is designed to help you do just that. Each prayer centers on meaningful themes like joy, peace, and hope, paired with a Bible verse that connects those words to the life of Jesus. It’s a gentle reminder of the gifts we already have—today and every day.
These prayers are perfect for kids, too, and come in three beautifully designed options. If you’re looking for ways to pray together as a family, check out iMOM’s 10 Ways to Teach Your Child to Pray for simple, encouraging ideas.
Food For The Hungry LIVE and Drive Day on December 12, 2025 was one to remember! From start to finish, the day was filled with generosity, celebration, and community spirit.
Click HERE to hear comments from those associated with the broadcast!
By the end of Drive Day, an incredible $260,465 had been raised along with 12.5 truckloads of food—a powerful reminder of what happens when Knox County comes together. Donors, volunteers, and grant recipients all played a part in making the day such a success, and we couldn’t be more grateful.
To relive the highlights, be sure to watch the recap video created by FFTH volunteer Ben Slater, which perfectly captures the energy and heart behind the event.
Looking ahead, our 2025 Drive Goal is $340,000, and we’re excited to keep the momentum going. Want to learn more or help make an impact?
Click HERE to learn more about Food For The Hungry!
Joe Rinehart and Jayme McMillan are both assistant professors of communications at MVNU, and they lead the live broadcast for Food For The Hungry.
They both share what it takes to make this event possible and why they believe that it is important. They also explain the details behind the broadcast.
The Live Broadcast begins on Friday, Dec. 12 at 9 A.M. and continues until 5 P.M.
FFTH Live will be available on 100.9 FM and 93.7 HD2 – WMVO, with video stream at www.mvnu.tv and the FFTH YouTube channel. Updates will be given throughout the day on 90.9FM WNZR, 93.7 The Super Q, and FFTH social media. FFTH Live will air from the Memorial Theater in Knox Memorial on East High Street in Mount Vernon.
This year’s Broadcast, as always, is a celebration of giving. The Broadcast highlights many community members and organizations presenting their contributions to the Drive. The FFTH Winter Grants recipients will be featured throughout the day. FFTH and Psi Iota Xi will also recognize several Knox County school and student collection winners.
For more information about Food For The Hungry click HERE!
Kelly Jaeger works with WRP CPAs and is also the treasurer for the Food For The Hungry board!
Kelly goes over all of the amazing ways to give and the impact that giving has on the community. She also highlights the donations staying local and how far your dollar can really go.
Captain Christine Moretz joins us and talks about the Salvation Army and Food For The Hungry!
She highlights the Salvations Army’s new building as well as what they can do with just a single dollar. Captain Christine also shares about what can happen when generosity is a priority and how amazing it can be if you choose to help.
To learn more about the Salvation Army click HERE!
Interchurch Social Services Executive Director Carolyn Fergus recently sat down with WNZR’s Marcy Rinehart to talk about the growing need they’re seeing across Knox County.
Fergus, who has been with Interchurch for three and a half years and oversees all four branches, says the number of families asking for help has more than tripled since last year. So far in 2025, Interchurch has already provided more than 189,000 meals, a number she says shows just how challenging things have become for many local families.
Right now, Fergus says volunteers are their biggest need. Some days, the Mount Vernon pantry alone serves up to 50 families, which puts a huge strain on their team. Mount Vernon has seen the largest spike in need, but thankfully the other branches have been able to step in and support where they can.
Fergus also shared the story behind the two pop-up food distributions they held this fall. These events were created to help people who couldn’t get to their main locations but still needed immediate support.
Donations continue to be important, especially canned goods like beans, which always seem to run out quickly. Fergus pointed out that even small financial gifts go a long way—every $1 donated turns into about $4.56 worth of food through their partnerships.
Interchurch offers more than food, too. Fergus talked about the other services they provide, including rental and deposit assistance, help with utilities and prescriptions, gas vouchers, and more. She’s already looking ahead to 2026 and hopes they’ll be able to expand their storage space to meet the rising demand.
When asked how people can pray for them, Fergus mentioned rest for their volunteers, patience, and the ability to show Christ’s love to everyone who walks through their doors. She’s been connected with Food For The Hungry almost since its beginning and says she’s passionate about serving local missions.
Fergus ended the conversation with a story that gives a glimpse into the lives of the people Interchurch serves. She hopes more people will get involved, reminding listeners that everyone deserves a good meal—and to know that someone cares. She says Food For The Hungry’s slogan, “Working together to care for our neighbors,” perfectly captures why this work matters so much to her.
Click HERE to learn more about Interchurch Social Services!
Click HERE to learn more about Food For The Hungry!
Rise and Shine 