Category Archives: Special Events

Announcing the 2019 Strobel Award finalists

March 12, 2019Special Events, Volunteers who inspire uscorporate philanthropy, corporate social responsibility, corporate volunteerism, Mary Catherine Strobel, Mary Catherine Strobel Volunteer Awards, nashville volunteers, Strobel Volunteer Awards, volunteer awards, Volunteerismhandsonnashville

Congratulations to the amazing volunteers nominated for the 2019 Mary Catherine Strobel Volunteer Awards. Read on for a list of nominees. Finalist names are bold.

Save the date for the award ceremony: Join Hands On Nashville on Tuesday, April 30, to celebrate volunteerism in our community.

Capacity-building Volunteer

Honors individuals who provide significant operational or administrative support to a nonprofit agency, faith-based ministry or community organization, or developed an innovative approach to significantly improve an existing program.

Bruce Skidmore
Carol McCrary
Claressa Ham
Dr. Vincent Couden
Falon Ecker
Jan Routon
Janet Kuhn
John Algee
Joseph Nault
Kay Kretsch
Kristie Young
Laneisha Coburn
Laura Musgrave
Lily Hensiek
Lisa Booker
Mostly Tomatos
Rita Pirkl
Rose Pink
Sally Wright
Timothy and Riley Dilks

Civic Volunteer Group

Honors volunteer teams that unite in support of a specific issue or cause.

Academy for G.O.D.
Baila Studio Moms
Belmont University, College of Pharmacy
Cross Point Church
Episcopal School of Nashville
Friends of MACC
Joy in Learning
Musicians on Call
Rotary Club of Nashville
Shipwreck Cove Restaurant
St. Ann’s Church, Knights of Columbus Chapter
Team Emma
Tennessee School for the Blind
The Contributor, Inc., Volunteer Team
The General Sessions Music City Community Court
The Physical and Mental Health Committee, Minerva Foundation, Inc.
Top Ladies of Distinction, Nashville Capitol City Chapter
Women of Covenant Baptist Church

Corporate Volunteerism

Commends group or individual corporate volunteers who exhibit robust
commitments to service as part of their company’s community service program.

Apex Moving and Storage
BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee
Bridgestone Americas
Change Healthcare
Cigna-HealthSpring
Covance Inc.
Crain Construction
Golden Rule Construction
Hawkins Partners, Inc.
LifePoint Health
Magpies
naviHealth
Postmates
Uncle Classic Barbershop

Direct Service

Applauds volunteers of all ages who participate in hands-on, direct service with a nonprofit agency, faith-based ministry, or community organization.

Ages 5 to 20

Anne Slosky
Davis Blankenship
Ella Delevante
Joe Stevens
Katie Schmidt
Madison Everett
Melissa Farrow
Nashville Youth For Christ
Prim Wiphatphumiprates
Raul Solis
Saiche Stefanski
Sarah Matthews
Shannon Flahaven
Stephanie McDaniel
Sydnee Floyd

Ages 21 to 49

Amanda Castle
Ashley Leaphart
Caitlin Thorsen
Corrie Anderson
Dawn Warner
Emi Canahuati
Estella Pan
Gina Strickland
Henry Rothenberg
Jeni Bradley
Jennifer Morrison
Josh Renner
Jurrell Casey
Laneisha Coburn
Linda Copeland
Lindsay Bryant
Lindsay Voigt
Marc Pearson
Meredith Beck
Neal Carpenter
Shaunte Dozier
Talisha Birdsong
Tiffany Hodge

Ages 50+

Andy Albright
Ann Strebler
Becky Waldrop
Bernice Karnett
Beverly Waldrep
Charles Black
Donice Kaufman Stewart
Eileen Wollam
Ethel Hollis
Frances Casey
Gwen Neal
Heidi Garber
Janelle Wilson
Jo Ann Hendrix
Joe Manners
John Baroni
John Bull
Judy Bayer
Karen Connolly
Karen Lyons
Kate Ezell
Keith Loftis
Kim France
Marilyn Bagford
Mark Patterson
Marva Southall
Mary Lee Thompson
Michael Gray
Monty Thomas
Pat McDonald
Rich Moore
Robert Ramsey
Susan Gardner
Tony Washington
Trish McGarty
Wanda Smith

Horses and Healing: The Story of Hillenglade

October 1, 2018Corporate volunteerism, Special Eventscorporate volunteerism, equine therapy, Hillenglade, Home Depot Foundation, homedepotcares, horses, Nashville, Points of Light, veteranshandsonnashville

In September, Hands On Nashville partnered with the Home Depot Foundation and Points of Light to implement facility upgrades and improvements for Hope and Healing at Hillenglade. More than 220 volunteers tackled projects that included building children’s playhouses, screening in porches, building office and recreational spaces, landscaping, building benches and picnic tables, and more. The work done will allow Hillenglade to offer year-round programming and increase the number of veterans its services can reach. To view more pictures of the project, click here.

Hillen Glade Hope & Healing HON Home Depot-95

Hillen Glade Hope & Healing HON Home Depot-100

Hillen Glade Hope & Healing HON Home Depot-134

Hillen Glade Hope & Healing HON Home Depot-159

Hillen Glade Hope & Healing HON Home Depot-139

Hillen Glade Hope & Healing HON Home Depot-81

Jennifer O’Neil has always loved horses.

“God was in a good mood when he made a horse,” said the 70-year-old actress, model, and director, who has spent much of her life training and showing horses. “They’re so amazing and sensitive for such a giant animal.”

In 2009, O’Neill bought Hillenglade, a 7-acre farm in north Nashville, and founded Hope and Healing at Hillenglade. HHH is an equine-assisted program that helps veterans and their families reconnect to heal the emotional wounds sustained during combat.

“What happens in the magic of equine therapy is, it’s all about creating relationship, communication, responsibility, and partnering with that animal,” O’Neill said. She said that horses mirror the emotions they see in people. To gain a horse’s trust, a person must put forth a calm confidence in a way that sets the horse at ease — that it’s not about dominating the animal.

“Depending on what you’re carrying when you come in there — be it anger, or rage, or shyness, or a lack of ability to communicate — they’ll size that up,” O’Neill said. She said it’s a powerful moment when someone who is working through their own anger or fear has a breakthrough with a horse.

Since 2010, HHH has served more than 4,000 military and first-responders and their families.

“The whole family unit often bears the brunt of the warriors’ experiences,” O’Neill said, recalling her own experiences in a family affected by post-combat PTSD.

O’Neill’s father served as a pilot during World War II. His plane was shot down and he was held in a German prison camp for two and a half years. He suffered lingering effects from the plane crash and aftermath that O’Neill believes would have been diagnosed as PTSD if the disorder, which wasn’t officially recognized until 1980, had been understood at the time.

As O’Neill has overseen the evolution of Hillenglade, she’s been driven by a desire to build an atmosphere of respite and peace for those who have sacrificed so much.

“I feel firmly that we in the private sector have to stand up and honor and help our veterans and our warriors and our heroes and their families in any way we can,” O’Neill said.

A Benefit for Hope and Healing at Hillenglade

What: A fundraiser for HHH, featuring The Righteous Brothers, Kathie Lee Gifford, and Nate Sallie

When: Saturday, Nov. 3, beginning at 5:45 p.m.

Where: Franklin Theatre

Tickets: http://www.hillenglade.org

HONDay 2018 brings together nearly 1,000 volunteers for school improvement projects

September 24, 2018Corporate volunteerism, Special Events, Uncategorizedcorporate volunteerism, Hands On Nashville Day, Metro Nashville Public Schools, Nashville, Volunteerism, youth volunteerismhandsonnashville

Dr. Kimberly Fowler, principal at Hickman Elementary School, addresses the group of volunteers as Hands On Nashville Day 2018 kicks off on Saturday, Sept. 22.

Nearly 1,000 volunteers came together on Saturday, Sept. 22, for the 27th Annual Hands On Nashville Day, a citywide day of service supporting Metro Nashville Public Schools. At 15 schools, volunteers created inspirational murals, landscaped playgrounds and school gardens, painted hallways and gymnasiums, and more.

“The volunteers out here today are showing how much they support MNPS students and families,” said Dr. Kimberly Fowler, principal of Hickman Elementary School. “Their efforts are about more than a coat of paint or a wheelbarrow of mulch. They’re spending their time to show just how important our schools and our children are to the whole community.”

Continue reading HONDay 2018 brings together nearly 1,000 volunteers for school improvement projects →

Hands On Nashville Announces 2018 Strobel Volunteer Award Recipients

April 25, 2018Special Events, Volunteers who inspire uscommunity, Mary Catherine Strobel, Strobel Volunteer Awards, volunteer, volunteer awardshandsonnashville

April 25, 2018 – Middle Tennesseans were honored for their volunteerism at Hands On Nashville’s 32^nd Annual Mary Catherine Strobel Volunteer Awards, presented by Advance Financial Foundation.

The award recipients are as follows:

Cheri Ferrari – Capacity-building Volunteer Award
Operation Song – Civic Volunteer Group Award
Media Star Promotions – Corporate Volunteerism Award
Leeana Edwards – Direct Service Volunteer Award (Ages five to 20)
Sean Druffel – Direct Service Volunteer Award (Ages 21 to 49)
Anthony J. Viglietti – Direct Service Volunteer Award (Ages 50+)

More than 600 volunteers and community members attended the luncheon and ceremony at Music City Center. The annual event recognizes volunteers for their outstanding contributions to the community, and celebrates the life of Mary Catherine Strobel, a Nashvillian with an outstanding dedication to service.

*2018 Strobel Volunteer Award nominees and Nashville in Harmony began the ceremony with a celebration of service.*

Nashville in Harmony opened the awards ceremony with a choir performance in recognition of the award nominees and finalists. Great-granddaughter of Mary Catherine Strobel, Veronica Pierce, shared an invocation prior to the meal; Charles Strobel, son of Mary Catherine Strobel and founding director of Room In The Inn, closed the ceremony with remarks about his mother’s legacy and the value of service.

“Hands On Nashville’s inspiration for the Strobel Volunteer Awards is to tell the stories of volunteers like Mary Catherine Strobel,” said Lori Shinton, President and CEO of Hands On Nashville. “We are honored to create a space to recognize their work, their impact, and be reminded of the many opportunities we all have to support each other as volunteers.”

Community members submitted 126 nominations for the 2018 Strobel Volunteer Awards.

Charles Strobel, son of Mary Catherine Strobel and founding director of Room in the Inn, shared closing remarks at the ceremony.

“In our nation and our community, there are major needs and ordinary needs. Most of them go without asking. One of the most distinguishing marks about Mama is that she anticipated the needs of so many, and so do the volunteers we honor today,” said Charles Strobel, son of Mary Catherine Strobel and founding director of Room in the Inn. “It’s our family’s great joy to be part of this tribute.”

Following is a list of award recipients for each category and a brief description of the volunteer work for which they are recognized.

*David Fox, Managing Partner at MP&F Public Relations; Cheri Ferrari; Lori Shinton, President and CEO of Hands On Nashville*

Cheri Ferrari received the 2018 Capacity-building Volunteer Award for her work with The Nashville Food Project. The award honors individuals who provide significant operational or administrative support to a nonprofit agency, faith-based ministry or community organization.

2018 Mary Catherine Strobel Volunteer Award Celebration_4547 — *Mark Deutschmann, CEO of Village Real Estate; Bob Regan; Lori Shinton*

Operation Song, which pairs musicians with veterans and active-duty military to write songs through partnership, received the 2018 Civic Volunteer Group Award. The category honors representatives of civic, membership, faith-based or non-corporate groups that volunteer together for a specific cause or issue.

2018 Mary Catherine Strobel Volunteer Award Celebration_4548 — *Ashley Bostic, Director of Culture and Community Giving at Change Healthcare; Media Star Promotions; Lori Shinton*

Media Star Promotions received the 2018 Corporate Volunteerism Award in honor of its ongoing service to The Nashville Food Project. The award pays tribute to businesses that have robust employee volunteer programs with high levels of participation and impact.

2018 Mary Catherine Strobel Volunteer Award Celebration_4551 — *Stephen Francescon, Community Relations Manager at Piedmont Natural Gas; Leeana Edwards; Lori Shinton*

The Direct Service Volunteer Awards recognize individuals who have contributed significant volunteer time, energy and/or resources to support an agency’s constituents. Leeana Edwards, a volunteer at Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, Alvin C. York VA Medical Center, received the 2018 award for the category honoring nominees of ages five to 20.

*Jennifer Simpkins, Factory Conformance Analyst at U.S. Smokeless Tobacco; Sean Druffel; Lori Shinton*

Sean Druffel, longtime Habitat for Humanity ReStore volunteer, received the 2018 Direct Service Volunteer Award for ages 21 to 49.

*Susannah Berry, Corporate Social Responsibility Manager at Jackson National Life Insurance; Anthony J. Viglietti; Lori Shinton*

Anthony J. Viglietti, a volunteer with Nashville Cherry Blossom Fesitval and Friends of Riverside Drive, received the 2018 Direct Service Volunteer Award for ages 50 plus. Viglietti led the effort to plant more than 1,000 Japanese cherry trees throughout Nashville’s streets and public spaces.

All photos are credit of Kerry Woo Photography.

For More Information

Please contact Jessica Moog at Hands On Nashville: (615) 298-1108 ext. 415; jessica@hon.org.

About the Mary Catherine Strobel Volunteer Awards

The Mary Catherine Strobel Volunteer Awards are named in memory of the late Mary Catherine Strobel, known for her extensive and charitable efforts toward improving the lives of Middle Tennessee’s homeless, impoverished and less fortunate populations. The annual awards ceremony celebrates her service and recognizes those who continue her legacy. View all nominees for the 2018 awards.

About Hands On Nashville

Hands On Nashville (HON) builds capacity for individuals and agencies to meet needs through service. Its programs connect volunteers to opportunities supporting 100+ nonprofits, schools, and other civic organizations; help these partners reimagine volunteer potential; and bring awareness to the challenges facing the people and places in our community. For more information, visit HON.org or call (615) 298-1108.

Middle Tennesseeans honored as 2018 Strobel Volunteer Award finalists

March 13, 2018Special Eventshandsonnashville

Congratulations to the finalists for the 2018 Strobel Volunteer Awards! Those recognized, and the community organizations with which they serve, are noted below.