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...

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...

Offering Opportunities, Reaching Potential

Growing up with a sister with Down Syndrome, Elizabeth Graham Pistole has a strong passion for helping individuals with special needs grow and develop. Her first experience volunteering was at her local church on “Special Saturdays” to serve church-goers living with disabilities broaden emotionally and spiritually. “The first time volunteering . . .  was way...

Volunteering with Friends – It’s Just Fun!

Written by: Terri Seydel In many ways, Phillip Hyams is a typical American teenager, balancing his time between school, sports, and friends. He attends Brentwood High school and participates in the school’s sports program with the track, cross country, and basketball teams. Where he stands apart from other teenagers, is in what he chooses to...

Giving the Gift of Time

Life experiences are often the best teachers and influencers of how we form our values and priorities. This has become powerfully evident in the mindful way that Fatema Chaklasi and her family volunteer within their own community of middle Tennessee. Inspired by their own modest origins in Mumbai and their move to the United States...

Featured Volunteer: Robin Cole

Our featured volunteer Robin shares her story of why she volunteers with Read to Succeed!...

A 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...

A 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...

Happy to Serve

Written by: Emerson Loundenback When it comes to superpowers, Kaitlyn Jolley doesn’t have just one.  She’s a middle school teacher, an advocate for health and wellness in the Nashville community, and she comes to the rescue in times of need, whether it’s helping the hungry, finding assistance for students who want better opportunities for their...