Julie Thornton

Julie Thornton exemplifies Community First in all that she does. She is closely involved in many community outreach programs across Bradley and Polk counties.

As President and Founder of the Ocoee River Jam (ORJ), she helps to raise money and awareness for the Boys and Girls Clubs of Bradley and Polk counties. She works year round to ensure that this non-profit is successful while bringing up and coming, as well as established musical acts to the area for the purpose of attracting patrons to attend the festival in order to raise money.

Donations from the festival have totaled over $10,000 to date, and helped to bring one local Boys and Girls Club unit up to the top ten in the nation. Through the community’s continued and growing support, they have been able to grow the size of the festival, as well as the donations each year. ORJ has inspired an entire community to come together and support the local youth.

Julie is a member of Pine Grove Baptist Church in Dalton. She is the daughter of Randy and Debbie Thornton, and has one brother, Adam.