Volunteer heroes across Tennessee just got some well-deserved recognition. Volunteer Tennessee has announced the winners of the Governor's Volunteer Stars Awards (GVSA), highlighting top nonprofit organizations that have made significant impacts through their volunteer efforts, according to an announcement on their website.
The annual GVSA ceremony, which took place on Feb. 18, 2024, celebrates volunteers from three regions of the state - East, Middle, and West Tennessee. The nonprofit honorees were culled from a public call for nominations that ended last December, and evaluated by independent reviewers. Helping select the honorees was described as "humbling" by Volunteer Tennessee commissioner Jason Scott because it shows how people are making significant societal contributions through volunteering, "Selecting a winner is very difficult for these awards because they all are so impressive," Scott said on the organization's website.
United Way of Greater Chattanooga stood out in East Tennessee, lauded for its innovative use of employees' downtime and mobilization of large groups to tackle ambitious projects, United Way harnesses the collective power to effect change economically. In Middle Tennessee, Operation Stand Down Tennessee snagged the honor for its dedicated service to Nashville's homeless veteran community, providing a wide range of services with the help of an enthusiastic volunteer workforce. Finally, the honor for West Tennessee went to the Dyer County Office on Aging, for their instrumental work in engaging volunteers to assist seniors with activities that promote connection and well-being among older citizens.
These volunteers and organizations embody the spirit of community and sharing, and volunteering in Tennessee thrives thanks to their efforts. The importance of volunteer work was affirmed by these awards, recognizing that without individuals giving up their time, essential services and support might remain unrealized. As the 2023 Governor's Volunteer Stars Awards make clear, Tennessee's nonprofits are a force for good, stitching together the fabric of their communities one volunteer project at a time.
