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 … [Read more...] about Harvesting Seeds His Dad Planted to Benefit Farmers
Volunteerism
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 to continue their education, Fatema and her … [Read more...] about Giving the Gift of Time
Out of Blessings Came a Call to Volunteer
Written by: Terri Seydel Volunteers don't often have the privilege of knowing the positive impacts of their work. This is not the case for Bill Kroemer. Many years ago, Bill and his family started donating to the Nashville Rescue Mission as they felt very blessed in their lives and wanted to give back to their community. This organization provides food, … [Read more...] about Out of Blessings Came a Call to Volunteer
Featured Volunteer
Volunteering to Change the Course of a Life
Written by: Terri Seydel Would you like to change any of the decisions you made as a teenager? We'd probably all like to turn the clock back on a few of our choices. But for some young people, choices can mean the difference between life and death. Carroll Hill (left in photo) grew up in South Central Los Angeles during a time when gangs were dominating many areas … [Read more...] about Volunteering to Change the Course of a Life
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 … [Read more...] about A Celebration of the 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 future, or, most recently, being … [Read more...] about Happy to Serve
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