Volunteers of the Year
Local heroes create community impact

United Way's Volunteer Center recruited 3,482 volunteers to donate 78,573 volunteer hours at a value of $20.25 per hour during 2009. That's a contribution of almost $1.6 million into our local economy through just the Volunteer Center.

The Volunteer Center hosted the annual “Volunteer United” Awards Banquet to focus attention on thanking volunteers who worked to advance the common good and make lasting social changes in this community. Area volunteers were celebrated for accomplishing extraordinary feats – such as community revitalization, conservation and education – through service. One corporation and six individuals were recognized for volunteering to create impact in this community.

To become a volunteer, call the United Way Volunteer Center at (423) 752-0316.

Shaw Industries (Plants 47 & SI) was given the 2009 Corporate Volunteer of the Year Award. During 2009, Shaw SI/SP Plant and Plant 47 collected more than 400 coats for the annual Coats for Kids Drive during the month of November, which were then distributed to low income school children in need in the North Georgia area. In December, both plants collected toys and other needed items for the annual “Giving Tree” program held by United Way’s 2-1-1, which gets holiday gifts and other essential items to low income families. Thanks to Shaw’s help, the program served almost 70 families last year.  The SI/SP plant also collected 1,600 pounds of food over the summer, which was given to two North Georgia churches for distribution to local families and individuals with limited access to food due to the economy.

Curtis Cordwell was given the 2009 Volunteer of the Year Judges' Award. Curtis is an accomplished general contractor, who for the past six years has volunteered with the Samaritan Center in a very special capacity. Any area resident who is ill, has a handicap, or is living with someone who has a disability can call the Samaritan Center to request having a wheelchair ramp built onto their home at no cost. Last year Curtis had a stroke at a very young age. He was back on his feet and back to work in six months, despite losing the use of his right hand. His first volunteer project after his recuperation was to build a new house for one of the Center's clients, because Curtis felt the old house wasn't good enough for a new ramp!

Kathleen Russell was recognized as the 2009 Environmental Volunteer of the Year. Kathleen, a former teacher, volunteers at Crabtree Farms in a variety of activities, but her favorite is putting together education programs to share with children so they can learn about the Farm and about how to save our environment.

Jessica Clark was recognized as the 2009 Youth Volunteer of the. Jessica is a bubbly 17-year-old who has been volunteering at the Creative Discovery Museum since she was 13-years-old. In that time, she has logged more than 800 volunteer hours as a member of the Museum Apprentice Program, which teaches teen volunteers the operations of different parts of the museum. Jessica loves working with young children and realizes the importance of both early childhood education and working with young kids to spark their imaginations. Jessica was also honored by the Lookouts by throwing out the first game ball on April 23 as part of Volunteer Night at the Lookouts during National Volunteer Week.

Jenneth Randall was recognized as the 2009 Health Volunteer of the. Jenneth is an accountant with Hamilton County and she uses her talents to help Volunteers in Medicine. Growing up, Jenneth's family couldn't afford health care, so now she volunteers so everyone can have access to quality health care. Jenneth volunteers every week, acting as VIM's Chief Financial Officer and Comptroller on a strictly volunteer basis. She knows numbers are boring for most people, but she loves it. As she also points out, every nonprofit needs administrative volunteers in order to operate smoothly.

Judith Williams was recognized as the 2009 Community Volunteer of the. Judith, whose son has a disability, volunteers with Therapeutic Recreation Services for the city of Chattanooga as a year-round special events organizer. As the parent of a special needs child, she learned that fun, social activities were few and far between for children and adults like her son. So she decided to create her own events for the local disability community. Now there is a full year of events, from Halloween parties to Spring Proms just for the special needs population in our area

Evelyn Webb was recognized as the 2009 Education Volunteer of the Year. Evelyn is more than 80 years "young" thanks to her young charges she helps care for every day at the 21st Century Learning Center in East Lake. A retired nurse assistant, Evelyn goes to the center every day to play with, read to, cuddle with and sing to the children there. She knows that loving socialization helps children between the ages of birth to 3 develop a better vocabulary and become ready for school by age 5.