2023 GVSA Nonprofit Honorees
East Tennessee Honoree - United Way of Greater Chattanooga
Since 1922, United Way of Greater Chattanooga (UWGC) has been uniting people and resources to build a stronger, healthier community. Their mission is to unite our community with a shared aspiration for the future - one where every child can thrive, and one where working families can break the cycle of financial hardship. UWGC recently started taking advantage of employee downtime by offering asynchronous volunteer projects at work. They also harness the power of large groups to complete complex projects that would otherwise take far longer and cost much more. For example, in just one day a skilled volunteer group was able to complete a drainage project for a local nonprofit for just the cost of the materials.
Middle Tennessee Honoree - Operation Stand Down Tennessee
Operation Stand Down Tennessee (OSDTN) began 30 years ago as a one-weekend-only, volunteer event serving Nashville’s homeless veteran population. The need was so great, and the volunteers so committed to the cause, that within six years of that first event OSDTN was up and running with full-time staff and they were able to greatly expand the range of services offered. Volunteer slots fill up quickly, and the organization continues to see returning groups of volunteers. Due to the labor involved in assembly, its volunteers are integral to keeping it running. Without volunteers they would not be able to meet the needs of so many military veterans and their families.
West Tennessee Honoree - Dyer County Office on Aging
The Dyer County Office on Aging's mission is to provide senior citizens a safe and healthy environment with fun educational, nutritional, and physical programs to improve their mental and physical wellbeing. They engage volunteers to serve senior citizens across Dyer County and some neighboring counties with exercise, line dancing, crafting, meals, and other activities which promote fellowship, physical strength, and balance, combatting the isolation and inactivity that afflict many older people. They serve many senior citizens who have no other option for help or socialization.
Special Thanks to Gold Sponsor
