Twelve individuals and three groups are the finalists for the 23rd annual Mary Catherine Strobel Volunteer Awards

Good luck to each and every one of the finalists; they all deserve this award and should all be proud of the work they've done for those less fortunate in our community.....


April 10, 2009


Strobel Volunteer Award finalists announced

By Lea Ann Overstreet Allen
THE TENNESSEAN
 
Twelve individuals and three groups are the finalists for the 23rd annual Mary Catherine Strobel Volunteer Awards.
The awards pay tribute to those in Middle Tennessee devoted to helping others. The awards honor the late Mary Catherine Strobel, whose volunteerism was well known in the Nashville community.

The awards recognize an individual or group in five categories — communitywide volunteer, direct service volunteer, volunteer group, volunteer innovator and youth volunteer.

After receiving more than 70 nominees this year, provided by local nonprofit agencies, church groups and other agencies, volunteers working with Hands On Nashville, the organization that runs the event, has narrowed the field down to 15 individuals and groups.

All the finalists will be recognized at the Finalist Reception from 5 p.m. to 6:30 p.m. Thursday, April 16, at Assumption School, Church of the Assumption, 1227 Seventh Ave. N.

A separate group of volunteers will choose one award recipient from the finalists in each category, said Brian Williams, executive director of Hands On Nashville.

The Awards Luncheon will honor the winners from 11 a.m. to 12:45 p.m. Wednesday, April 22, at the Franklin Marriott Hotel, Cool Springs Conference Center, 700 Cool Springs Blvd.

"The luncheon is all about recognizing and celebrating the volunteers in our community. It really is an inspirational experience," Williams said.

Tickets to the luncheon are $35 per person and can be obtained by calling 298-1108, ext. 110. Event invitations and reply cards also are available for download from the Hands On Nashville homepage, www.hon.org.

Community-Wide Volunteer Award
The Community-Wide Volunteer Award recognizes individuals who are involved in a variety of community activities and make a positive impact on agencies and the community at large.

Don Beisswenger, for his work with Penuel Ridge Retreat Center, The Living Room, Nashville Homeless Power Project, Tying Nashville Together and the Barnes Housing Fund.

Larry Huddleston, for his work with the Alcohol and Drug Council of Middle Tennessee and with Backfield in Motion, and for his vision and leadership in making Alcoholics Anonymous available to the Metro Jail.

Harry "Skip" Lawrence, for his work with The Cumberland River Compact, Nashville Jazz Workshop, Historic Germantown Neighborhood Association, and the Civic Design Center. Lawrence also serves on the Mayor's Green Ribbon Committee on Environmental Sustainability.



Direct Service Volunteer Award
The Direct Service Volunteer Award honors individuals who have demonstrated a long-term and exemplary commitment to an agency, often working in a hands-on capacity to directly serve the entity's constituents.

Robert Chandler, for his work with the Nashville Adult Literacy Council.

Carolyn Fedie, for her work at Knowles Home Assisted Living and Adult Day Services.

John Gillespie, for his work with the Nashville Area Habitat for Humanity.



Volunteer Group Award
The Volunteer Group Award honors representatives of civic, school, membership or business groups who volunteer together for a cause.

The Ensworth School, for its work with the Nashville Area Habitat for Humanity.

The Renaissance Nashville Hotel, for its work with the Second Harvest Food Bank of Middle Tennessee and the Martha O'Bryan Center Kids Café program.

The Front Desk Hostess Team, for its work with The Next Door.



Volunteer Innovator Award
The Volunteer Innovator Award recognizes individuals or groups who have designed creative volunteer programs, practices or responses to address unmet community needs, or have taken a creative approach to an existing program or agency.

Debbie Hullett, for her work with INSIGHT, a tutoring program for junior high and high school students.

Lee Ann Ingram, for her work with Centerstone, the nation's largest provider of community-based behavioral health care.

David Diaz-Barriga, for his work with the Renewal House.



Youth Volunteer Award
The Youth Volunteer Award recognizes youth ages 5 to 22 who serve as an inspiration to others through significant volunteerism.

Thomas Davis, for his work at the Siloam Family Health Center.

Morgan Plunkett, a high school senior, for her work at Saddle Up!

Anna Robertson, a high school senior, for her work at the Refugee Youth Program of Catholic Charities, the Campus for Human Development and Clare Bridge Cottage Home.