18th Annual Exemplary Community Volunteer Awards

Honoring the Heart of Our Community

📅 Date: Monday, March 24th 2025
📍 Location: Franklin Theatre

Join us as we celebrate the incredible individuals, organizations, and businesses that make a difference in our community through selfless service, leadership, and generosity. This year’s event is presented by Lineage Bank and Williamson Memorial Funeral Home & Cremation Service, as well as our Sustaining Partners, Atmos Energy; Ragan Smith, a Pape-Dawson company; and Williamson Health.

Award Categories

Volunteer Spirit Award
Honoring up to three individuals who transform their surroundings through service and a heart for their community.

Youth Initiative Award
Recognizing volunteers under 21 years old involved in diverse community activities or significantly contributing to one organization.

Neighbor to Neighbor Award
Celebrating individuals or organizations that go above and beyond in generosity and giving back to Williamson County.

Emerging Leader Award
Awarding young professionals (ages 20–40) making a positive impact through their professional or volunteer efforts.

Corporate Volunteerism Award
Acknowledging companies or organizations with exemplary volunteer programs that engage employees and create meaningful community impact.

Special Recognition

In Memoriam Program
A tribute to community leaders, volunteers, and individuals who passed away in 2024, celebrating their lasting legacy.

Anne T. Rutherford Exemplary Community Volunteer Award
Recognizing outstanding dedication and impact as a community volunteer. This award is determined by Franklin Tomorrow’s committee, ensuring the recipient exemplifies the highest level of service.

Charles M. Sargent Leadership Award
Honoring exceptional leadership that drives positive change in our community. The recipient of this prestigious award is also selected by Franklin Tomorrow’s committee to reflect the values and legacy of Charles M. Sargent.

Board Chair Awards
Presented by Franklin Tomorrow Board Chair to recognize extraordinary contributions.

Award Perks

Each award includes a cash prize for the recipient’s nonprofit of choice, allowing their impact to continue.

How to Nominate a Volunteer or Organization

Do you know someone who deserves to be recognized for their dedication and impact? Submit a nomination by clicking the link below!

Nomination Deadline: Friday, January 24th 2025

Nomination Requirements:
To complete your nomination, please include:

• A one-page statement describing the nominee’s service, including:
  • The estimated number of volunteer hours logged in 2024.
  • The value and impact of their volunteerism on the community.
• A high-quality photo of the nominee (headshot or action photo preferred).

Nomination Tips

Here are some tips to writing nominations that really stand out and reflect the true commitment of your nominees. Remember that you may know your volunteer really well, but the one-page description you submit is how the Awards Committee gets to know your nominee.

Include compelling examples and/or stories of the nominee’s volunteer service with the agency and/or clients.

• Describe how the nominee stands apart from all the rest.
• Cite any special challenges the nominee has overcome.
• Discuss the impact of the nominee’s service on the overall work of the agency or organization.

Taking the time to write a thorough nomination could provide a wonderful, lifetime memory for your volunteer or organization.

18th Annual Exemplary Community Volunteer Awards

Honoring the Heart of Our Community

📅 Date: Monday, March 24th 2025
📍 Location: Franklin Theatre

Join us as we celebrate the incredible individuals, organizations, and businesses that make a difference in our community through selfless service, leadership, and generosity.

Award Categories

Volunteer Spirit Award
Honoring up to three individuals who transform their surroundings through service and a heart for their community.

Youth Initiative Award
Recognizing volunteers under 21 years old involved in diverse community activities or significantly contributing to one organization.

Neighbor to Neighbor Award
Celebrating individuals or organizations that go above and beyond in generosity and giving back to Williamson County.

Emerging Leader Award
Awarding young professionals (ages 20–40) making a positive impact through their professional or volunteer efforts.

Corporate Volunteerism Award
Acknowledging companies or organizations with exemplary volunteer programs that engage employees and create meaningful community impact.

Special Recognition

In Memoriam Program
A tribute to community leaders, volunteers, and individuals who passed away in 2024, celebrating their lasting legacy.

Anne T. Rutherford Exemplary Community Volunteer Award
Recognizing outstanding dedication and impact as a community volunteer. This award is determined by Franklin Tomorrow’s committee, ensuring the recipient exemplifies the highest level of service.

Charles M. Sargent Leadership Award
Honoring exceptional leadership that drives positive change in our community. The recipient of this prestigious award is also selected by Franklin Tomorrow’s committee to reflect the values and legacy of Charles M. Sargent.

Board Chair Awards
Presented by Franklin Tomorrow Board Chair to recognize extraordinary contributions.

Award Perks

Each award includes a cash prize for the recipient’s nonprofit of choice, allowing their impact to continue.

How to Nominate a Volunteer or Organization

Do you know someone who deserves to be recognized for their dedication and impact? Submit a nomination by clicking the link below!

Nomination Deadline: Friday, January 24th 2025

Nomination Tips

Here are some tips to writing nominations that really stand out and reflect the true commitment of your nominees. Remember that you may know your volunteer really well, but the one-page description you submit is how the Awards Committee gets to know your nominee.

Include compelling examples and/or stories of the nominee’s volunteer service with the agency and/or clients.

• Describe how the nominee stands apart from all the rest.
• Cite any special challenges the nominee has overcome.
• Discuss the impact of the nominee’s service on the overall work of the agency or organization.

Taking the time to write a thorough nomination could provide a wonderful, lifetime memory for your volunteer or organization.