Michele Nicholson alongside Amanda Laginess and Drew Trapnell volunteering for Nashville Anti-Human Trafficking (NAHT) Written by: Gunnar Eng Volunteering is described by many as hard work which can be very rewarding. No one believes that more than Michele Nicholson, Nashville’s Volunteer of the Month who takes pride in helping others. Nicholson volunteers a good amount … [Read more...] about A Passion for Helping Others
Mentoring
Inspiring Women
July Volunteer of the Month: Patricia Leonard Patricia Leonard is extremely passionate about empowering women. In her corporate, volunteer, and personal life her goal is to “inspire women to break through any glass ceilings through leadership and contribution.” She believes that talk is not enough – we have to act in order to empower. This is played out specifically in her … [Read more...] about Inspiring Women
How Sports Initiate Change
June Volunteer of the Month: Jimmy Pitts Jimmy Pitts loves sports almost as much as he loves service. Between coaching basketball and serving on the corporate board of the Boys and Girls Club of Rutherford County, Jimmy constantly looks to improve the lives of those around him. The work of every Boys and Girls Club focuses on the underprivileged youth, surrounding them with … [Read more...] about How Sports Initiate Change
Love in the Unreached Places
Marilin, Nashville's Volunteer of the Month, with some of the people she serves at Possibility Place Marilin Kelley is spreading love in Nashville. A recent Middle Tennessee State University (MTSU) mathematics graduate, Marilin is preparing for graduate school at Virginia Tech in the Fall of 2019. In conversation with Marilin, her pursuit of knowledge is apparent, however her … [Read more...] about Love in the Unreached Places
Service for a Larger Purpose
Written by: Zac Cooper November’s Nashville Volunteer of the Month is Jacky Gomez, a community leader who deals with Hispanic and immigrant issues. She works as a receptionist at the Hispanic Foundation, a Program Coordinator with YMCA Latino Achievers, and a volunteer with the Tennessee Immigration and Refugee Rights Coalition. An overarching theme in Jacky’s engagements is … [Read more...] about Service for a Larger Purpose
One 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 … [Read more...] about One Person at a Time
Protector & Defender
“We are our brother’s keeper. What we do matters because it (how we treat others) does affect others,” says Lynn Ewing. In Hebrew, “keeper” means more than “protector” or “defender.” Fortunately, Lynn exemplifies this every day. She lives out her definition of “protector” and “defender” through her volunteerism. Lynn is a local mediator who uses her gift of communication to … [Read more...] about Protector & Defender
Sheyla Paz Hicks Talent Helps Others Achieve Their Goals
Sheyla Paz Hicks With a growing and increasingly influential Hispanic community in Middle Tennessee, it’s essential to have someone who can facilitate communication in both Spanish and English. Sheyla Paz Hicks has been filling that role and helping others achieve their goals in the film industry as a volunteer board member for Women in Film and Television, Nashville, Inc. … [Read more...] about Sheyla Paz Hicks Talent Helps Others Achieve Their Goals
Karen Shayne is Transforming a Mood into a Movement
When Karen Shayne finished her last chemotherapy treatment for cancer she was declared “in remission” and a “survivor.” She looked in the mirror and asked herself “What next?” She realized that surviving cancer has more impact on one’s life than simply returning to the way things were. Instead, there are many questions, we feel different and experiences are new again. There … [Read more...] about Karen Shayne is Transforming a Mood into a Movement
Partying for Kids Makes Toby Lemley’s Heart Sing
When Toby Lemley moved to Nashville 17 years ago he saw the generosity of the Nashville community and began to understand the value of giving back. Most recently he used his resources as a local representative of WorldVentures to build a DreamCourt for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee. Toby rallied his WorldVentures co-workers and his company’s foundation to … [Read more...] about Partying for Kids Makes Toby Lemley’s Heart Sing