VOLUNTEER MEMPHIS AWARDS 2020
Our 3rd Annual Volunteer Memphis Awards celebrated excellence in volunteerism by individuals, civic groups, nonprofits, and businesses across the Mid-South. Volunteer Memphis recognized finalists and winners during a virtual award ceremony June 25, 2020.
The Volunteer Memphis Awards is a “thank you” to the 300,000 volunteers who give so tirelessly of themselves each year, as well as an opportunity to put a spotlight on many of the most passionate, dedicated, and caring.
Special thanks to WREG TV for being our media sponsor for the Volunteer Memphis Awards!
Millennial Volunteer Award: Brittney Block, MEMYPACS and ThyCa
Rising Star Award: Asia Bigsbee-Chatman, Beautiful Spirited Cupcakes
Lifetime Service Award: Larry Abramson, Make-A-Wish Mid-South
Volunteer Administrator of the Year Award: LaKeisha Gomes, Youth Villages
Volunteer of the Year Award: Vera Milam Johnson, Mid-South Transplant Foundation (MSTF)
Community Advocate of the Year Award: Rosalyn Brown, The Pink House
Board Member of the Year Award: Courtney Smith, Volunteer Memphis
Civic Group of the Year Award: Raleigh Chicks
Non-Profit Impact Volunteer Project Award: 901 Pledge
Corporate Impact Volunteer Project Award: MLGW
Non-Profit Innovative Volunteer Program Award: Beautiful Spirited Women, Girls Mentoring Program
Corporate Innovative Volunteer Program Award: Lipscomb & Pitts Insurance
Non-Profit Innovative Volunteer Organization: Sisters in Service Foundation, Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority Inc., Beta Epsilon Omega Chapter
Corporate Philanthropic Initiatives Award: Triumph Bank
NOMINATIONS
You know people who deserve to be recognized for what they give back to the community. In addition to individuals who serve, there are civic groups, nonprofits, and businesses that make a difference in the community every day of the year. Please take just a few moments of your day to nominate those who give so much year-round.
Nominees must be active in service between January 2019- April 2020.
Note, that when we talk about community, we are talking across the Mid-South. To nominate individuals, civic groups, nonprofits, and businesses in Fayette, Lauderdale, Shelby and Tipton counties in TN – DeSoto, Tate, and Tunica counties in MS – Crittenden County in AR, please, complete this nomination form.
NOMINATION GUIDELINES
- Nominations were submitted between March 1- May 1, 2020 at 11:59pm.
- Self-nominations were accepted.
- Nominations in the individual category were for non-paid volunteers, or students earning school credit. This did not include interns.
- Only fully completed submissions were accepted. All fields on the nomination form must have been completed.
- Please print a copy of your nomination for your records. Also, you may be contacted if the nominee is a finalist or winner.
- Every nominee will receive a certificate of appreciation.
- The top 3 finalists in each category will be notified no later than Friday, June 5, 2020.
- All finalists will be recognized at the Volunteer Memphis Awards and receive complimentary admission.
- Winners in each award category will be presented their award at the Volunteer Memphis Awards.
VOLUNTEER MEMPHIS AWARD CATEGORIES
Individuals
Rising Star Award:
For energetic volunteers ages 10 to 24 who have served at least 60 plus hours during the past 12 months with one or more nonprofit, civic or faith-based organization.
Board Member of the Year:
For nonprofit or civic board members who have demonstrated a commitment to the organization’s mission, supported the organization above and beyond expectations, and become an outstanding example to others of what a great board member should be.
Millennial Volunteer Award:
For volunteers ages 25 to 40 who have served at least 100 plus hours of service during the past 12 months with one or more nonprofit, civic or faith-based organization.
Community Advocate of the Year:
For an individual who tirelessly steps up, speaks out and champions a nonprofit agency or cause that results in a positive, tangible result.
Lifetime Service Award:
For an individual who has served at least 500 hours a year for multiple years with one or more nonprofit, civic or faith-based organization.
Volunteer of the Year Award:
For an individual who has demonstrated the highest level of service and commitment during the past 12 months to one or more nonprofit, civic or faith-based organization.
Volunteer Administrator of the Year Award:
This award highlights a paid or non-paid volunteer administrator, either nonprofit or corporate, with at least two years’ experience. This person should demonstrate exemplary leadership in the recruitment, management, retention and recognition of volunteers during the past 12 months.
Civic Group
Civic Group of the Year Award:
For a Civic Group that has given year-round community service and support to the community, an agency or cause, therein demonstrating the spirit of service to others during the past 12 months.
Corporate Citizen Awards
Corporate Philanthropic Initiatives Award:
A business or company with a long-standing history of philanthropic support resulting in “moving the needle” on a Mid-South community initiative.
Innovative Volunteer Program Award:
A business or company with a year-round volunteer program that allows and encourages employees to engage in the community in meaningful ways.
Impact Memphis Volunteer Project Award:
A business or company that has created, or driven a unique volunteer project that has made a meaningful difference by mobilizing its staff.
Non-Profit Initiative Awards
Innovative Volunteer Program Award:
An organization with one or more dynamic volunteer program(s) that is mutually meaningful and engaging to its staff, volunteers and the community it serves.
Innovative Volunteer Organization Award:
An organization that demonstrates a commitment to outstanding volunteer management practices that results in significant, meaningful and measurable impact in the Mid-South community.
Impact Memphis Volunteer Project Award:
An organization that has created, or driven a unique volunteer project that impacts the Mid-South community by mobilizing others to participate.
Special Thanks to Our Sponsors!
Presenting Sponsor
Gold Sponsor
Silver Sponsor
Special Thanks to the Memphis City Council and Shelby County Commission
VOLUNTEER MEMPHIS AWARDS PAST WINNERS
2019 Award Winners
Millennial Volunteer Award: Price Bullock, Le Bonheur Children’s Hospital
Rising Star Award: Ja’Rell Blackburn, City of Memphis Raleigh Community Center
Lifetime Service Award: Felicia Orr, Tennessee Student Corporation
Volunteer Administrator of the Year Award: Ashley Adams, Grizzlies Preparatory Charter School
Civic Group of the Year Award: Brown Baptist Missionary Church
Corporate Citizen Award (Large): BlueCross BlueShield of Tennessee
Corporate Citizen Award (Medium): Southern College of Optometry
Corporate Citizen Award (Small): Minister P’s Buffalo Wings Plus
Nonprofit Initiative Award (Small): National Civil Rights Museum
Nonprofit Initiative Award (Medium): Susan G. Komen Memphis-Mid-South Mississippi
Nonprofit Initiative Award (Large): Memphis Inner City Rugby
2018 Award Winners
Millennial Volunteer Award: Britney Thornton, JUICE Orange Mound
Rising Star Award: Devin Simmons, Memphis Area Golden Retriever Rescue
Lifetime Service Award: Alene (Mimi) Fifer, Juneteenth Urban Music Festival
Volunteer Administrator of the Year Award: Tangina Sangers, Youth Villages
Volunteer of the Year: Micheal Donnell, Scouts of America
Civic Group of the Year Award: Junior League of Memphis
Corporate Citizen Award (Large): Caesars Entertainment
Corporate Citizen Award (Medium): Buckman International
Corporate Citizen Award (Small): Vaco Memphis
Nonprofit Initiative Award (Small): ARISE2Read
Nonprofit Initiative Award (Medium): Memphis City Beautiful
Nonprofit Initiative Award (Large): Boys & Girls Club of Greater Memphis
2017 Award Winners
Millennial Volunteer Award: Danielle Chandler, Impact America
Rising Star Award: Jose Ayala, STREETS Ministries
Lifetime Service Award: Stacie Feldmayer, Methodist Le Bonheur Healthcare
Volunteer of the Year: John Lewis, Krogers Delta Division
Corporate Citizen Award (Large): ServiceMaster
Corporate Citizen Award (Medium): Buckman International
Corporate Citizen Award (Small): Vaco Memphis
Nonprofit Initiative Award (Small): Clean Memphis
Nonprofit Initiative Award (Medium): Boys & Girls Clubs of Greater Memphis
Nonprofit Initiative Award (Large): The University of Memphis