Nashville’s Fall 2019 College Service Fairs

It’s (almost) back-to-school time! College service fairs are a great chance for your nonprofit to connect with students and share your volunteer and intern opportunities. Please email the contact listed for each school in order to register your agency.  

August 14: Fisk Volunteer Fair
11:30 a.m.-1 p.m.
Contact: Tashaye Woods (twoods@fisk.edu)

August 28: Vanderbilt Service Organization Fair
1-3 p.m.
Contact: Meagan Smith (meagan.smith@vanderbilt.edu)

August 28: Tigers Day Out at Tennessee State University
11 a.m.-2 p.m.
Contact: Shirley Nix-Davis (snixdavi@tnstate.edu)

September 3: Trevecca Volunteer Fair
9:30-10:30 a.m.
Contact: Daniel Neiderhiser (dlneiderhiser@trevecca.edu)

September 4: Lipscomb Volunteer Fair
9 a.m.-1 p.m.
Contact: Christin Schatzer (Christin.shatzer@lipscomb.edu)

September 12: Nashville State Resource Awareness and Volunteer Day
10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Contact: Evelyn Hadley (evelyn.hadley@nscc.edu)

September 30: Belmont Community Connections Fair
10 a.m.-1 p.m.
Contact: Tim Stewart (tim.stewart@belmont.edu)

Does your Middle Tennessee college or university have a service fair you’d like us to include in this roundup? Let us know!

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Hands On Nashville announces recipients of the 2019 Mary Catherine Strobel Volunteer Awards

April 30, 2019 – Middle Tennesseans were honored for their volunteerism at Hands On Nashville’s 33^rd Annual Mary Catherine Strobel Volunteer Awards, presented by Advance Financial Foundation.

The award recipients are as follows:

• Lily Hensiek – Capacity-building Volunteer Award
• Cross Point Church – Civic Volunteer Group Award
• Uncle Classic Barbershop – Corporate Volunteerism Award
• Ella Delevante – Direct Service Volunteer Award (Ages five to 20)
• Marc Pearson – Direct Service Volunteer Award (Ages 21 to 49)
• Charles Black – 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.

Nashville musician Tristan McIntosh began the ceremony with a celebration of service.

Former “American Idol” contestant Tristan McIntosh — a member of the local volunteer collective Musicians On Call — opened the awards ceremony with a performance in recognition of the award nominees and finalists. Great-grandson of Mary Catherine Strobel, Benjamin Strobel, 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.

“For Mary Catherine Strobel, giving back wasn’t even something she did; it was who she was,” said Lori Shinton, President and CEO of Hands On Nashville. “That same spirit lives on when each of these volunteers gets up in the morning and thinks about how they can make someone else’s day better — how they can serve others using their hands, their tools, their knowledge, their creativity.”

Community members submitted more than 130 nominations for the 2019 Strobel Volunteer Awards.

Mary Catherine Strobel’s children — Jerry (from left), Alice, Veronica, and Charles.

“This luncheon emphasizes the highest ideals of human life and the spirit of giving,” said Charles Strobel. “We are delighted that all of the nominees — both those who are finalists and those who were nominated — are receiving this special recognition for embracing that spirit.”

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

Lily Hensiek

Lily Hensiek received the 2019 Capacity-building Volunteer Award for her work with Lily’s Garden, which has raised more than $2 million for pediatric cancer research and treatment at Monroe Carrell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt. The award honors individuals who provide significant operational or administrative support to a nonprofit agency, faith-based ministry or community organization.

Sarah Stephanoff of Cross Point Church 

Cross Point Church, whose members support children in Youth Villages group homes, received the 2019 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.

Amy Tanksley and Trisha Lou Meinzer of Uncle Classic Barbershop

Uncle Classic Barbershop received the 2019 Corporate Volunteerism Award in honor of its ongoing service to Park Center. The award pays tribute to businesses that have robust employee volunteer programs with high levels of participation and impact.

Stephen Francescon, Community Relations Manager at Piedmont Natural Gas; Ella Delevante; 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. Ella Delevante, a volunteer for Nations Ministries, Metro Nashville Public Schools and Nashville International Center for Empowerment, received the 2019 award for the category honoring nominees of ages five to 20.

Mark Czuba, Business Unit Leader at U.S. Smokeless Tobacco; Marc Pearson; Lori Shinton

Marc Pearson, a volunteer with PENCIL/John Overton High School, received the 2019 Direct Service Volunteer Award for ages 21 to 49. Pearson leads efforts to prepare students for engineering careers through mock interviews, a job shadow program, and more.

Charles Black (center)

 Charles Black, a volunteer with Dismas House, received the 2019 Direct Service Volunteer Award for ages 50 plus. Black is an ambassador, mentor, and driver for the men of Dismas House, where he was once himself a client.

Click here to view a photo gallery of the event.

All photos are credit of Kerry Woo Photography.

For More Information

Please contact Lindsey Turner at Hands On Nashville: (615) 298-1108 ext. 415; lindsey@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 2019 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 140-plus 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.

 

 

Announcing the 2019 Strobel Award finalists

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

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. 

 

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

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.”

Hands On Nashville Announces 2018 Strobel Volunteer Award Recipients

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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.

• Cheri Ferrari, The Nashville Food Project
• Joey Hatch, YWCA Nashville
• John O’Shea, Room In The Inn

Civic Volunteer Group

Recognizes representatives of civic, membership, faith-based or non-corporate groups that volunteer together for a specific cause or issue. 

• Delta Signma Theta Alumnae, MNPS Scholarship Support
• NHA: Silver Socializers, Nashville Humane Society
• Operation Song, Tennessee Valley Healthcare System

Corporate Volunteerism

Pays tribute to businesses that have robust employee volunteer programs with high levels of participation and impact. 

• Media Star Promotions, The Nashville Food Project
• Deloitte, PENCIL
• Steve Ward and Associates, Preston Taylor Ministries

Direct Service Volunteer (ages five to 20)

Recognizes individuals who have contributed significant volunteer time, energy, and/or resources to help an agency’s constituents.

• Leanna Edwards, Tennessee Valley Healthcare System, Alvin C. York VA Medical Center
• Allison Heard, Saddle Up!
• Sam Strang, Pro-bono Music and Entertainment for Various Nonprofits

Direct Service Volunteer (ages 21 to 49)

• Paige Cruse, Alive Hospice
• Sean Druffel, Habitat for Humanity
• Jill Heyman, Oasis Center

Direct Service Volunteer (ages 50 plus)

• Janie Busbee, Mother to Mother, Inc.
• Dr. Catherine Thornburg, Siloam Health
• Anthony J. Viglietti, Nashville Cherry Blossom Festival/Friends of Riverside Drive

Reserve your seat for the Strobel Volunteer Awards ceremony on April 25!

Hands On Nashville announces the 2018 Strobel Volunteer Award nominees

Congratulations to the incredible volunteers nominated for the 2018 Mary Catherine Strobel Volunteer Awards! Categories and nominees are listed below.

Save the date for the award ceremony: Join Hands On Nashville on Wednesday, April 25 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.

• Anna-Vija McClain
• Carroll Kimball
• Cheri Ferrari
• Don Cornwell
• Eddie Pearson
• Gerald Davis
• Heather Hicks
• Helen Miles
• Jane Baxter
• Janet Kuhn
• Jeff Parrish
• Jen Robinson
• Joe Christopher
• Joey Hatch
• John O’Shea
• Kay Kretsch
• Laneisha Coburn
• Laura Beth Hyman
• Laura Da Fonte
• Leigh and Bear Barnes
• Michael Gray
• Mona Binda
• Phil Holt
• Rachel Petty
• Robbie Williams
• Robin Puryear
• Samantha Perez
• Terry Demars
• Trish Sanders

Corporate Volunteerism

Pays tribute to businesses that have robust employee volunteer programs with high levels of participation and impact. 

• Asurion
• Bank Director
• Bridgestone Americas
• Cigna
• Dell Nashville
• Deloitte
• Ingram Marine Group
• Jackson National Life Insurance Company
• LifePoint Health
• Mars Petcare
• Media Star Promotions
• Nashville Predators
• Nissan North America
• Geodis
• Publix Super Markets
• Steve Ward and Associates
• Two Men and a Truck
• United Parcel Service (UPS)

Civic Volunteer Group

Recognizes representatives of civic, membership, faith-based or non-corporate groups that volunteer together for a specific cause or issue. 

• Beta Upsilon Chi
• Cooper Trooper Foundation
• Covenant Baptist Church Women
• Delta Sigma Theta Sorority, Nashville Alumnae Chapter
• Education Equal Opportunity Group
• First Baptist Church Goodlettsville, Women’s Ministry
• Greater Nashville Realtors
• Junior League of Nashville
• Murfreesboro Young Professionals
• Music City Community Court
• NHA Silver Socializers
• Operation Song
• Perenity
• Royal Hills Neighborhood Organization
• The Oak Hill School
• Top Ladies of Distinction, Inc., Nashville Capitol City Chapter

Direct Service Volunteer (ages five to 20)

Recognizes individuals who have contributed significant volunteer time, energy, and/or resources to help an agency’s constituents.

• Allison Heard
• Caroline Kreh
• Carter Hyde
• Gitanjali Rao
• Gracie Stambaugh
• Leanna Edwards
• Margot May
• Melina Nguyen
• Nora Ryan
• Sam Strang
• Sidney Starling
• Vince Dick

Direct Service Volunteer (ages 21 to 49)

• Andy Morris
• Arville Knight
• Brittany Taussig
• Casey Enright
• Charlotte Avant
• Jennifer Radcliffe
• Jill Heyman
• Josiah Holland
• Julie Hornsby
• Lesley Patterson-Marx
• Paige Cruse
• Robyn Saunders
• Sean Druffel
• Talisha Robertson
• Tim Slate
• Victoria Driver

Direct Service Volunteer (ages 50 plus)

• Amelia Workman
• Andy Womack
• Anthony J. Viglietti
• Bette Christofersen
• Bill and Mary Jean Murphy
• Brenda Hix
• Carolyn Nash
• Catherine Thornburg
• Charlotte Swor
• Don Cornwell
• Donice Kaufman-Stewart
• Ed Batsel
• Geri Franske
• Gordon Dunaway
• Harold Pinney
• James Hogge
• Janie Busbee
• Janie Luna
• Jean Styron
• Jen Robinson
• Joyce Page
• Karen Catron
• Kathy Shaw
• Ken Watford
• Larry Christian
• Lela Hollabaugh
• Marilyn Bagford
• Mary Beth Pacsi
• Mary Buckner
• Nancy Mally
• Pam Cavala
• Pat McDougal
• Patricia Wright
• Saralu Lunn
• Warren White

Harpeth Presbyterian Church Comes Together to Support Nashville Youth

“Rewarding.” That’s the word Brent Grunfeld, longtime supporter of the youth group at Harpeth Presbyterian Church (Harpeth Pres.), used to describe the church’s involvement with ReCYCLE for Kids 2017.

Harpeth Pres. is a small but mighty congregation in Brentwood, TN. After going on a mission trip to Mobile, Alabama last year, the youth group wanted to make a difference closer to home. While in Alabama, youth group members learned that people experiencing homelessness needed bikes to get around the city – and they were pleased to find out that local organizations exist to meet that need. Coming home, the group wondered if Nashville had resources in place to connect community members with bikes.

ReCYCLE For Kids: a volunteer-powered initiative that collects, restores and connects bicycles with youth in underserved neighborhoods. Between 2012 and 2017, ReCYCLE engaged 1,600 volunteers and connected nearly 1,000 youth with bicycles.

A portion of bikes collected by Harpeth Pres.

After meeting with Hands On Nashville about ReCYCLE For Kids, Harpeth Pres. members had no idea how much their involvement would grow. What started as a youth-group project to donate and collect bikes turned into a congregationwide effort to make the biggest impact possible. Initially, the church donated 54 bikes, but they didn’t want to stop there.

“Our entire congregation came together and got behind supporting the program,” said Grunfeld. “It was amazing, the camaraderie and fellowship; we had eight-to-10 year olds and seniors going out of the way to help us figure out how to donate bikes. It created an environment that hadn’t really existed before.”

This newfound dedication led Harpeth Pres. to collect more than 110 bikes – accounting for nearly half of bikes delivered to community members at the ReCYCLE For Kids 2017 giveaway event.

Congregation members learning the ropes at a bike refurbishment project

The church’s enthusiasm was also apparent at its bike refurbishment project, which took place at Oasis Bike Workshop. “To have 32 people show up for refurbishment – they took over the Oasis Bike Workshop,” said Grunfeld. “Church members didn’t know what to expect. The next thing you knew, you had people who didn’t know anything about bikes fixing tires and brakes. The excitement was amazing when we left.”

Between the refurbishment and giveaway, nearly 50 people volunteered for ReCYCLE – not including the numerous people who helped in other various capacities.

After donating and collecting dozens of bikes, participating in a refurbishment and volunteering at the giveaway, Harpeth Pres. is already talking about keeping the momentum going. They look forward to working with other churches and increasing community member involvement in similar service projects.

To the entire congregation: ReCYCLE 2017 would not have been rewarding for us without your eagerness, excitement and support. From our team to yours, we are grateful.

Read about this year’s ReCYCLE For Kids bike giveaway.

 

Hands On Nashville Day Mobilizes More Than 1,000 Volunteers at Metro Nashville Public Schools

NASHVILLE – September 23, 2017 – This morning, more than 1,000 volunteers came together for the 26^th 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 painted hallways, gymnasiums and more.

“Today’s volunteers aren’t just sprucing up schools,” said Dennis Neal, executive director of the Facility and Grounds Maintenance Department at Metro Nashville Public Schools. “They’re showing support for the MNPS students and families who learn and grow in these spaces every day.”

Hands On Nashville partnered with numerous community organizations and businesses in support of the day of service. A team of employee volunteers from Altria, the presenting sponsor, completed projects at Cora Howe School. Nashville Tree Foundation and Cumberland River Compact also contributed support.

“Hands On Nashville Day helps us give back to the community in which we live and work,” said Altria’s Mark Czuba. “It’s powerful to see what we can accomplish as a team, especially as we focus on a cause as important as our local schools.”

Metro Public Works partnered with the event for the second year as part of Mayor Megan Barry’s Fall Green & Clean initiative, sponsoring 100 tree plantings. Funding was provided through a Community Partner Grant from Lowe’s/Keep America Beautiful (KAB), a national nonprofit that inspires and educates people to improve and beautify community environments.

The Nashville Tree Foundation supported the event through the Green Shirt Volunteer program, which recognizes volunteers who have experience planting trees at NTF events or have related professional qualifications. Green Shirt Volunteers trained and supervised Hands On Nashville Day projects to ensure proper planting methods, and will do so for additional planting projects in the community.

“Hands On Nashville’s mission – to meet community needs through volunteerism – truly comes alive on this day,” said Lori Shinton, president and CEO of Hands On Nashville. “Our team has the unique position to see the impact volunteers contribute to our city every day, and events like Hands On Nashville Day highlight this impact for our entire community.”

Throughout Hands On Nashville’s 26 years, more than 26,000 volunteers have engaged in 75,000 hours of Hands On Nashville Day service, creating an economic impact valued at nearly $2 million, according to Independent Sector research.

To support Hands On Nashville’s work, please consider purchasing a commemorative HON Day 2017 t-shirt. $20 of the $26 t-shirt price goes directly to Hands On Nashville. Learn more at http://www.hon.org/honday.

For More Information:

Hands On Nashville – Jessica Moog, (615) 298-1108 (o); (908) 240-3444 (c); jessica@hon.org

About Hands On Nashville

Hands On Nashville (HON) meets community needs through volunteerism.

Dedicated volunteers preparing to paint at Cora Howe School.

The Nashville Tree Foundation led volunteers in planting trees on school properties.

Lonnell Matthews, director of the Mayor’s Office of Neighborhoods and Community Engagement, pauses for the camera with one of HON Day’s youngest volunteers.