Government, Military & Public Service
John Witherspoon: A Life of Service
After retiring from the military in August, John Witherspoon could have stepped back and enjoyed a quieter pace of life. Instead, he leaned even further into service—this time as a volunteer. As president of the board for Beacon Rescue, a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in Clarksville, Tennessee, John brings his deep background in crisis response to bear in a new way: through community-driven disaster relief. John’s path to volunteerism began long before his military career. As...
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Dr. Tom Seals: A Warrior Helping Warriors
Dr. Tom Seals lives a life of service. From serving in the military to serving God, veterans, and his wife, 85-year-old Dr. Seals is an inspiration and motivation. His relationship with God informed his life choices. He began his military career as a young Marine where he carried out clandestine work and served in multiple countries. Later, he graduated from school, began teaching, and started authoring books. During his educational career with Lipscomb University, he...
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Ann Marie Nordgren: Finding purpose serving those who are vulnerable
Ann Marie Nordgren views volunteering not only as a way to help others, but as an opportunity to learn from those who are vulnerable, and expand one’s own perspective. Ann Marie’s journey in serving others began with her family in Ohio. She grew up in a large, catholic family, received a catholic education, where serving the community was an integral part of their way of living. She then went to nursing school, met her husband...
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Shavonya Washington
Shavonya Washington has always had a big heart, and even before she started volunteering, she shared it with her community. From being her parents’ full-time caregiver to serving as a healthcare professional, she has a knack for taking care of others. In 2009 Shavonya was looking for a life change and a community that shared her values. When she realized she could share her heart and skills with others in her Nashville community who felt...
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Featured Volunteer: Jason
Listen to Jason, a husband, father of two, and a young professional, as he talks about the heart of a person. What happens to children after their court date? How do they move forward in a meaningful way? These are just two of many ways the Juvenile Justice Center impacts children & their families throughout Davidson County. ...
Read MoreAdvocating for his community
Keith McLean Written by: Cole Gray Keith McLean of Franklin is Doing Good’s Nashville Volunteer of the Month for his work in advocating for the North Nashville community around Jefferson Street. McLean, a graduate of Middle Tennessee State University, is involved with Jefferson Street United Merchants’ Partnership, Elam Mental Health Center at Meharry Medical College and The SONS Organization (Solving Our Negative Stereotypes), all of which focus on different aspects of advocacy around North Nashville...
Read MoreBlessed to Serve
Martin Plumlee Written by: Kingsley East “To whom much is given, much is required” (Luke 12:48). Martin Plumlee says that he is blessed with a selfless wife, healthy and happy children, a growing business, and good health. Additionally, Martin has the honor and privilege of serving his country and wearing the uniform again in the Army Reserves in Nashville. Martin uses each of these blessings to give his time and talents to others. Martin said...
Read MoreOne Person at a Time
Pastor Marc Hewlett Stopping Human Trafficking Like many in Music City, Marc Hewlett began as a musician. Yet he was also an alcoholic, drug addict, and general trainwreck. On one particular morning, he woke up underneath a bush in the pouring rain. After hitting his rock bottom, he turned his life around. Today, his life includes ending human trafficking, a global industry of over $249 billion. Yet his approach is to Prevent, Reach, Love, and...
Read MoreEmpowering families through mediation
Chuck Hill teaching advanced mediation techniques to a group of new volunteers People “have more control than they realize,” says Chuck Hill, volunteer mediator for Nashville Conflict Resolution Center and professional mediator. “Mediation is an opportunity(for) people to be self-sufficient.” When in the midst of going to court or having a judge determine a family’s future, “there are alternatives,” such as mediation, says Chuck. With mediation, people do not need “to rely on” the unpredictable...
Read MorePam Webster Loves Seeing the Results from Her Volunteer Work
PAMELA WEBSTER As a Senior Business Operations Manager at Deloitte in Nashville Pam Webster is used to simultaneously juggling numerous projects with lots of moving parts. Fortunately for Nashville her leadership efforts are devoted not only to business projects, but to numerous volunteer projects as well. In her current volunteer project Pam is serving as a group leader for Deloitte’s Impact Day – a national day of community service honoring Deloitte’s commitment to workplace volunteerism and celebrating its...
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