A Lifetime of Serving Seniors

A Lifetime of Quiet Service

For more than three decades, Thanksgiving looked the same for hundreds of seniors across the Chattanooga area — a warm meal delivered to their door, often by the same familiar face. Marcia Kling, a longtime NewsChannel 9 journalist, spent 36 years coordinating Thanksgiving meal deliveries for seniors who might otherwise have gone without. This week, the Salvation Army honored her for that extraordinary commitment to service.

More Than a Career in the Spotlight

Many viewers remember Kling from her decades on local television, where she spent 50 years telling the stories of her community. But behind the camera and beyond the newsroom, her impact ran even deeper. As a member of the Salvation Army Advisory Board, Kling helped organize volunteers, logistics, and donations year after year to ensure seniors were not forgotten on a day meant for family and connection.

Service Through Personal Hardship

Kling’s dedication to others did not stop when life became difficult. She briefly stepped away from television while battling a rare form of cancer, then returned with the same steady focus on helping people in need. Her service continued not for recognition, but because it had become part of who she was — a quiet, consistent presence showing up for her community.

Gratitude for a Community Effort

At a banquet held in her honor, Kling was quick to redirect the spotlight. She thanked the countless volunteers, donors, and organizers who made the annual Thanksgiving deliveries possible. Her words reflected a defining trait of servant leadership: recognizing that lasting good is built together, not alone.

A Model of What Community Can Look Like

Marcia Kling’s 36 years of service offer a powerful reminder that kindness doesn’t have to be flashy to be transformative. Sometimes it looks like showing up, year after year, for people who need to know they are seen. In a world that often celebrates big moments, her story highlights the impact of steady compassion — the kind that feeds bodies, lifts spirits, and quietly strengthens a community.