Top Middle TN volunteers honored at Strobel awards
One would think the Rev. Felicity Peck would be used to standing up and preaching.
But onstage at the Mary Catherine Strobel Volunteers Awards luncheon, Peck paused.
"This award has touched me; I can't even tell you how deeply."
On Tuesday, Peck — deacon at St. Mark's Episcopal Church in Antioch — received one of eight awards honoring Middle Tennesseans for outstanding volunteerism at Hands On Nashville's annual recognition event, which took place at the Marriott Cool Springs Conference Center.
More than 700 volunteers and agency representatives attended the luncheon and ceremony to celebrate one of the area's highest honors for significant community service achievement. A spirited group, they cheered for the winners, at times jumping out of their seats and snapping pictures on their phones.
They also came away inspired.
"As my mother always said, 'Everyone can do something,'" Strobel's son, Charles F. Strobel, told the crowd.
Honored for 15 years of advocating for abused and neglected children as a CASA Inc. of Davidson County volunteer, Peck joined a premier group of difference makers.
The award recipients were selected from 24 finalists and a record 139 nominees.
There were those who provided food for hungry families, delivered medical supplies for the needy in developing countries and fostered relationships between students with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities.
The effects of which, youth volunteer award winner Elise Hirt said, "completely captured my heart."
Hirt, 17, a high school junior, started the Best Buddies chapter at Centennial High School to create a more inclusive and informed student body. She has seen a shift in the way her classmates interact. "It's a ripple that keeps me going," she said.
Here are the winners:
• Civic Volunteer Group Award presented by Altria Group
Covenant of the Cross, a Madison-based independent Christian church, provides food to more than 220 hungry families every month through its Covenant Cupboard outreach.
The Civic Volunteer Group Award recognizes representatives of civic, membership, congregation or non-corporate groups that volunteer together for a cause.
• Capacity-building Volunteer Award presented by c/3 consulting
Raymond White's advocacy of Project C.U.R.E. Nashville strengthens the agency's ability to provide donated medical supplies to developing countries. He forged partnerships with 15 hospitals through his outreach work, developed strategic communications tools and secured a $25,000 grant enabling the organization to repair biomedical equipment.
The Capacity-building Volunteer Award honors individuals who provide significant operational or administrative support to a nonprofit agency, faith-based ministry or community organization.
• Corporate Volunteerism Award presented by Emdeon
Triumph Aerostructures' Nashville team builds capacity for The Nashville Food Project by donating time, skills and financial resources to improve operations. During their volunteer work days, employees completed a renovation of The Nashville Food Project's kitchen area to create a more functional environment.
The Corporate Volunteerism Award pays tribute to businesses that have robust employee volunteer programs with high levels of participation and impact.
• Direct Service Volunteer Award presented by McNeely Pigott & Fox Public Relations
Rev. Felicity Peck, a CASA, Inc., of Davidson County volunteer, helps abused and neglected children caught in the court system find safe and permanent homes. In her more than 20 years as a CASA volunteer, Peck has advocated for 36 abused and neglected children and has given more than 3,300 hours of service.
The Direct Service Volunteer Award recognizes individuals who have participated in hands-on, direct service with an agency's constituents.
• Volunteer Innovator Award presented by TN Media
DeeAnn Hodge helps at-risk girls served by Preston Taylor Ministries through the day camp she hosts called Camp Wonderfully Made. Since Hodge began Camp Wonderfully Made in 2012, 30 girls have participated in the camp, 18 will participate this summer and eight have started meeting for a weekly camp alumnae gathering.
The Volunteer Innovator Award honors individuals or groups that have responded creatively to an unmet community need by designing a volunteer program, practice or response or by adding innovation to an existing program or agency.
• Youth Volunteer Award presented by Baptist Healing Trust
Elise Hirt is president and founding member of Centennial High School's Best Buddies chapter. With Hirt's leadership, Best Buddies fosters relationships between students with and without intellectual and developmental disabilities. This has resulted in a more inclusive, welcoming and informed student body.
The Youth Volunteer Award recognizes youth, teens and young adults ages 5 to 22 who serve as an inspiration to others through significant volunteerism.
• Hands On Nashville Volunteer Award presented byTennessee Valley Authority
Dean Graber and Lauren Levy are two nationally recognized Points of Light Award recipients, having served the most hours out of all adult and youth Hands On Nashville volunteers in 2013.
Graber's commitment to the city and the people of Nashville is exemplified in the nearly 100 community service projects he's participated in through Hands On Nashville, including working in community gardens and working with people who are studying to become U.S. citizens. These projects combined led him to log more than 180 hours in 2013.
Levy is an intern with Hands On Nashville Youth Volunteer Corps, where she teaches a yearlong arts program for 10 middle school students served by the YMCA Fun Company. In 2013, Levy worked with Hands On Nashville staff to establish the Summer Youth Leadership Program, engaging more teens in volunteerism and leadership. Last year alone, she gave 230 hours of her time to volunteerism.
The Hands On Nashville Volunteer Award recognizes HON adult and youth volunteers who demonstrate a deep commitment to improving our community.
Reach Jessica Bliss at 615-259-8253 or on Twitter @jlbliss.