Nominees in five categories have been announced in preparation for the 12th annual Franklin Tomorrow Exemplary Community Volunteer Awards and Volunteer Spirit Awards, set for Wednesday, July 25, at the Franklin Theatre.
The event will begin at 7 p.m. following a pre-event reception, details of which will be announced closer to the event. Tickets are available for $25 per person through the Franklin Theatre at www.franklintheatre.com.
Making the event possible as partners are Williamson Medical Center and Jackson National Life, which is underwriting the costs of the Franklin Theatre. Acting as supporters are Buerger Moseley & Carson PLC , First Advantage Bank, Franklin Lions Club, and Franklin Noon Rotary.
In 2007, Franklin Tomorrow established the Exemplary Community Volunteer Awards to honor the decades of service and tremendous impact of Anne T. Rutherford, a founding member of Franklin Tomorrow and an active volunteer for many community organizations. The award recognizes the collective effort of an individual’s work, the impact on the agencies themselves, and the community at large. The recipient is selected from among the nominees in all categories.
The Volunteer Spirit and the Youth Initiative Awards were created to allow more people to be honored for selflessly supporting local non-profit organizations or agencies.
Awards also to be presented will recognize Civic Groups, Corporate Volunteer Teams, as well as Individual Corporate Volunteers. Additional nominees and partners will be announced as the event draws closer.
For the fifth year, Franklin Tomorrow will present the Legacy Award, a continuation of the Business Legends Award previously presented by the Williamson County-Franklin Chamber of Commerce. This award will recognize an individual or individuals who have made significant impact in the areas of business, quality of life, and leadership.
Patron supporters for the event are The TMA Group and Signs First. Supporters are 63rd District State Rep. Glen Casada, 23rd District State Sen. Jack Johnson, Ernie & Nell Bacon, Lipman Brothers, District Attorney Kim Helper, and Ryan Search & Consulting.
Volunteer Spirit Category:
Allie Arnette, nominated for her work with the United Way of Williamson County; Anne Hook, nominated by Christ United Methodist Church; Bob Steele, nominated for his work with the Franklin Theatre; Casey Enright, nominated for her work with The Word Wagon; Cathy & Loy Harcastle, nominated by the Boys & Girls Club of Middle Tennessee; Cathy McCall, nominated for her work with First Presbyterian Church of Franklin; Christine Milner, nominated by High Hopes Development Center; Evelyn Weems, nominated by Franklin Mid-Cumberland Meals on Wheels; Jacques Sirois, nominated by Alive Hospice; Katie Creighton, nominated for her work with Erika’s Safe Place; Kay Awalt Musgrove, nominated by the Franklin Theatre; Kris Hagen, nominated by Fifty Forward and NHC; Laura Musgrave, nominated for he work with The Alzheimer’s Association Mid-South Chapter for the Middle Tennessee Region; Mike Alday, nominated by Downtown Franklin Rotary Club; Dr. Monty McInturff, nominated for his work with Friends of Franklin Parks; Paige Cruse, nominated for her work with Alive Hospice; Phil Staples, nominated for his work with Tucker’s House; Rick Warwick, nominated for his work with the Heritage Foundation of Williamson County; Steve Lewis, nominated by the GraceWorks Ministries; Tina Cahalan Jones, nominated for her work as a community volunteer with African American Heritage Society, Spring Street Seniors and other groups; Warren White, nominated by The Nashville Food Project; and Zane Martin, nominated for his work with Franklin Noon Rotary Club and Friends of Franklin Parks.
Youth Initiative Category:
Allison Heard, nominated by SaddleUp!; Cameron Cox, nominated by Habitat for Humanity of Williamson and Maury Counties; Jack N Jill Youth Group, nominated by Robert Blair; and Sidonia Cannon, nominated for her work with Threads of Care.
Civic Group Category:
Brentwood/Franklin Woman’s Service Club, nominated for their longtime community service; Daughters of the King, nominated by Robert Blair for their Feed My Lambs program; First Presbyterian Church, nominated by BrightStone; Kiwanis Club of Franklin, nominated for its record of community service; Sister Cities of Franklin & Williamson County; and Small World Yoga, nominated by Gilda’s Club Middle Tennessee, Belvedere Commons and Park Center.
Corporate Individual Category:
Brian Marger, nominated for his work with Gilda’s Club Middle Tennessee; Cheryl Brown, nominated for her work with HomeOwnerShip Center and the Good Neighbor Foundation; Kellum Ferree, nominated by BrightStone; and Sydney Ball, nominated for her work with A Vintage Affair, The Word Wagon and numerous other agencies.
Corporate Team Category:
Atmos Energy & CenterPoint Energy Services, Inc., nominated by United Way of Williamson County; First Citizens National Bank, nominated for its work with A Vintage Affair, The Heritage Foundation, Junior Achievement, and many other groups; Hospital Corporation of America, nominated by BrightStone; Nissan North America, nominated by nominated by Habitat for Humanity of Williamson and Maury Counties; Sam’s Club, nominated by WAVES Inc.; and Publix Supermarkets, nominated by United Way of Williamson County.
Franklin Tomorrow is the community visioning nonprofit which seeks to engage the community, foster collaboration, and advocate for a shared vision for the future of Franklin. That shared vision includes a robust economy, distinct character, vibrant neighborhoods, and great people. Visit our Website at www.franklintomorrow.org.