Animals & Environment
From Basement to Belonging: How Tucker’s House Transforms Homes and Lives
When Adeline “Addie” first connected with Tucker’s House, she and her mom were simply trying to survive. Addie, who uses a wheelchair and feeding tube, was living in a converted basement garage—long, narrow, and never designed for mobility or medical equipment. The upstairs of her home was completely inaccessible, and the only way she could leave the house was by ambulance. “We were in a really desperate situation,” she shared. “Tucker’s House changed my entire...
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Julie Ridenour: Unexpected Surprises
Some people volunteer four hours a week or a month with a specific schedule and list of directives. Julie Ridenour, on the other hand, has quietly committed to volunteer 24 hours a day for months. Julie has volunteered for Rutherford County Area Habitat for Humanity and First United Methodist Church Murfreesboro and will continue to do so. She has helped build homes, transported people in golf carts, taught, and more. This mom of four has...
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Brittnie Battle: One of “Charlie’s Angels” Saving Animals in Tennessee
Brittnie has always had a love for animals. She and her partner have two canines of their own. After moving to Nashville, she volunteered at a shelter where she met the founder of Charlie’s Angels Saving Animals (CASA)Transport, a nonprofit that serves to reduce the number of animals in overcrowded shelters by transporting them to northern states. She learned that overcrowded shelters often euthanize animals to make space for a constant influx. Before arriving in...
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Beverly Powers: Finding Personal Value by Volunteering with Horses
By working with Freedom Reigns Ranch, Beverly Powers has not only nurtured her passion for horses but also found a sense of value following her divorce. Beverly relocated to Nashville three years ago after escaping an abusive marriage. There, she started a life coaching business in hopes of helping newly-divorced women discover their sense of self-worth. Beverly focused on growing her business for a few years while following signs that pointed her toward Freedom Reigns...
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Bernice Karnett: Helping Dogs Become Dogs Again
By Callie Carlucci Bernice has a catchy mantra to describe her work with animal rescue: “I don’t rescue dogs, dogs rescue me.” I think most dog people know exactly what she means. Dogs give our lives meaning in a way that isn’t necessarily describable. Maybe it’s the unconditional love that they exude; however, many canines are in shelters and have suffered from neglect, abuse, and instability. Bernice’s mission is to help these dogs find their...
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Nurturing Nature’s Lifeline: Michael Freeman’s Inspiring Dedication to Preserving Water and Wildlife
For decades, Michael Freeman has profoundly impacted his community in the heart of Auburn, Alabama. By day, Michael serves as an Environmental Health and Safety Specialist at Auburn University, where he plays a crucial role in erosion control, stormwater management, and hazardous waste regulation. But when the working day is done, he immerses himself in a world of environmental volunteerism, a passion that has fueled his life since he was a teenager. “I’ve been a...
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Harvesting Seeds His Dad Planted to Benefit Farmers
By: Angela Barbosa Growing up as a farm kid in northern Indiana, Vane Clayton had chores every morning and every night. Working the family’s dairy farm and spending big chunks of the summers helping out neighbors on their farms too, he loved the farming life. His philanthropically minded parents were both active in church and in a variety of local and state nonprofit endeavors. They instilled in him the importance of giving back. After more...
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Volunteering: Not always glamorous, but always rewarding
Anna Kate Roberson is a determined fourteen-year-old who doesn’t let her autism diagnosis get in the way of her dream of becoming a veterinarian. She volunteers at two horse rescue centers where she is able to help with the horses and gain valuable experience...
Read MoreA celebration of the community
With the recent World Humanitarian Day celebrated on August 19th, we can appreciate the fundamental values of differences in one another. We look to encompass what that means as we reflect on ourselves during times of uncertainty, because out of despair comes ingenuity, and out of absence comes recognition. Doing Good takes the time to not only acknowledge, but also uplift and recognize the extraordinary people in our community that continue to contribute in their...
Read MoreA Celebration of the Community
As the middle of the year approaches, Doing Good takes a moment to reflect on this year’s outstanding service-oriented volunteers in the Nashville area. Local Nashville volunteers continue to selflessly give back to their community while volunteering in unique ways that express their passions and philanthropic interests. Sheila Habacker has been serving the Nashville community with her expertise in yoga for years. In addition, yoga has had a major impact on Habacker’s recovery process from...
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