Catholic Charities of Tennessee recognized eight individuals for their service to Catholic Charities, its clients and the community at its annual Volunteer of the Year ceremony on September 5. The event was held at Catholic Charities headquarters inside Saint Mary Villa on White Bridge Road in West Nashville.

Each year, the agency pauses to recognize one volunteer from each of its operational areas, to serve as representatives for all of the agency’s volunteers.

One of the honorees, retiring state Sen. Douglas Henry, was acknowledged for his advocacy for issues such as family preservation, Medicaid and child abuse. Brennan Frazier, a Harpeth Hall senior, was honored with the ‘I Care’ award presented each year to an area teen.

“You represent the many ways in which volunteers and community supporters make a difference to our agency, our clients and our community. Without you, we simply could not make the 70,000 client service connections we make each year,” said Bill Sinclair, Catholic Charities’ executive director.

Those recognized (and the operational area recognizing them) included:
•    Chris Donnelly (Administration)
•    Roberta Steinmetz (Caring Choices, Pregnancy Counseling & Adoption Services)
•    Roberta Burke (Development)
•    Connie Ransom (Family Assistance and Community Employment)
•    Yvette Sebelist (Refugee & Immigration Services)
•    State Sen. Douglas Henry (Social Services)
•    Shandy Husmann (Tennessee Office for Refugees)
•    Brennan Frazier (I CARE Youth Award Honoree)

“Very little of what makes Middle Tennessee special would have happened if there were not people like you who share their time and expertise willingly to make a difference.” Sinclair said.