Congratulations to these three finalists in the Older Adult Volunteer Award category of the 38th Annual Mary Catherine Strobel Volunteer Awards! Join us May 9 to see which finalist is chosen as the recipient, and will receive $1,000 to donate to the charity of their choice!
Margaret Jo Cooper
UniCycle
Since Margaret Jo Cooper began volunteering for UniCycle, she has hardly missed a week of volunteering, donating more than 3,000 hours of her time over the past five years. Her stalwart presence and support have helped the school uniform recycling program test ideas and dream big while continuing to steadily distribute more than 35,000 items to Metropolitan Nashville Public Schools students each year. She has an uncanny ability to know exactly how to repurpose donated school clothing, including staying in touch about dress code variations and student preferences at more than 100 MNPS schools. She is a consistent smiling face and supportive voice each week and is an integral part of recruiting and training new volunteers for the program.
“Margaret has integrated our mission into her life in a way that you never know what or who she’s going to bring in that’s just what we need to make school days easier for MNPS students. She’s making life easier, smoother, and better for students and their families each and every day.”
— Jami Oakley, Margaret Jo’s nominator
Roxana Gumucio
Conexión Américas
For nearly a decade, Roxana Gumucio has played a crucial role as a volunteer instructor for the Negocio Próspero program with Conexión Américas, helping at least 400 Latino immigrant entrepreneurs take the proper steps to plan and launch their small businesses. Through her weekly classes, one-on-one lessons, and biannual workshops, Roxana lends her expertise to her students, helping them navigate the complex business world and uplifting their goals. In 2023 alone, she played a crucial role in supporting 149 small businesses.
“Roxana’s selfless attitude illustrates her dedication that goes above and beyond expectations. [Her] outstanding volunteer service for over eight years, professional demeanor, significant impact on the entrepreneurial community, and dedication to make a lasting impact in the lives of those she serves make her an exemplary Strobel award nominee.” — Justin Munoz, Roxana’s nominator
Eileen Seitz
Giving Smiles
Dr. Eileen Seitz has a lifelong passion of providing free dental care to the poor and those in need. While running her own practice, she volunteered over one thousand hours to serve patients at local Tennessee clinics and dental missions. After retiring her practice in 2016 she founded a nonprofit dental charity, Giving Smiles. She purchased and refurbished a mobile dental clinic, which she drives to homeless shelters, free food pantries, church parking lots, or wherever there are poor or working people unable to afford the high price of dental care. Eileen has also helped struggling musicians, minimum wage employees, domestic violence victims, and uninsured cancer patients among many others. Since starting Giving Smiles, she has tirelessly volunteered more than 7,000 hours, providing 4,000 hours of direct patient care herself to over 2,500 patients.
“The impact of Dr. Seitz’s work is measured by the individuals with smiles restored who can finally secure a decent-paying job or once again enjoy healthy foods. It is seen in the smiles of individuals who were suffering from toothaches before they received her care. Finally, the impact is measured in the return of dignity and self-respect to those unable to afford or access essential dental care services.” — Joanne Ball, Eileen’s nominator
The Older Adult Volunteer Award recognizes individuals who contributed significant volunteer time, energy, and/or resources in 2023 to help the community. Volunteers or groups ages 60+ are eligible. Want to see all of this year’s finalists? Visit handsonnashville.wordpress.com.
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