MURFREESBORO, Tenn. (WGNS) — Kymari House will host an upcoming fundraiser later this month to further benefit the children and families served by the non-profit. If you're not familiar with the organization, they offer professionally supervised parenting time in a neutral setting, helping children maintain meaningful relationships with their parents while prioritizing safety and emotional well-being. Emily McKee, Executive Director of Kymari House, told WGNS listeners their priority, concern and focus is on the children they serve... McKee had well over 20-years of experience in social service work by the time she began her role at the Kymari House in Murfreesboro in 2023.

Sometimes a problem that can arise in such arrangements is that a child may say they don’t want to visit their parent, which could be voiced out of fear, or it could be based on a grudge about visiting an estranged parent or a parent they have only heard negative stories about… McKee stated...

In addition to supervised visitation, the organization provides family support services, including parenting education and coaching, aimed at strengthening family connections. A sliding-scale fee structure ensures services remain accessible to families regardless of financial circumstances.

Upcoming Event: On Thursday, February 26, 2026, the Smokin’ Barrel Bourbon Tasting Benefit will be held, bringing community members together for an evening centered on bourbon tasting, food, and live music to support families across Middle Tennessee.

The event will take place from 6 to 9 p.m. at Copper Ridge Event Venue. Attendees will have the opportunity to sample a variety of curated bourbons and enjoy craft cocktails, along with a wine pull, appetizers, live music, and an event auction. Proceeds from the benefit will support Kymari House’s mission of providing safe, structured environments for court-ordered parent-child visitation.

Organizers of the upcoming event say the Smokin’ Barrel Benefit is designed to raise awareness and resources, so Kymari House can continue serving children and families throughout the region.

Learn more about the upcoming event, purchase tickets and learn about sponsorship opportunities by visiting Smokin’ Barrel – Kymari House online (KymariHouse.org/Smokin-Barrel). You can also learn about the organization by visiting Kymari House online at KymariHouse.org.

• Hear the full interview about the non-profit HERE.