Franklin Tomorrow Seeking Nominations

The call has been issued for nominations of individuals for Franklin Tomorrow’s annual Anne T. Rutherford Exemplary Community Volunteer Awards and Volunteer Spirit Awards.

The awards are presented annually at the organization’s annual Shrimp Boil, set for Saturday, July 13, at Berry Farms subdivision on Lewisburg Pike at Goose Creek Bypass.  In 2007, Franklin Tomorrow established the Anne T. Rutherford Exemplary Community Volunteer Award to honor the decades of service and tremendous impact that Mrs. Rutherford has had in

Franklin.

In following years, the awards grew to include Volunteer Spirit and the Youth Initiative Awards to allow for more people to be honored for selflessly supporting local non-profit organizations or agencies. The Anne T. Rutherford Award recognizes the collective effort of an individual’s work and the impact on the agencies themselves and the community at large. One award is given annually.

The Volunteer Spirit Awards is awarded to individuals who are involved in either a variety of community activities or primarily in one organization as a significant volunteer. This individual stands out as altering the environment around them simply by their service and heart for the community. Three awards may be given in this category annually.

The Youth Initiative Award is open to individuals under the age of 21 and are involved in either a variety of community activities or primarily in one organization as a significant volunteer. This individual stands as a standard of service for the youth in our community.

The Ned Lea Volunteer Contribution Award was created in 2011 to posthumously honor an exemplary volunteer. It is not given each year, but nominations are accepted by completing the form. Other awards may be created by the Board of Franklin Tomorrow to recognize significant achievement.

Gayle Moyer Harris received the 2012 Anne T. Rutherford Exemplary Community Volunteer Award, based on a nomination written by Judge Tim Easter. Harris was honored for more than 30 years of community service, first as a county commissioner, then with Williamson County Economic Development, Leadership Franklin, and for being one of the individuals to found the 21st Judicial District Drug Task Force.

Earning the Volunteer Spirit Awards were Sue & Donnell Lane, Bob Brinkman, and Thelma Battle, each for a variety of reasons. Centennial High School student Laura Lauder received the Youth Initiative Award for her dedication to Habitat for Humanity.

Awards will be presented on Saturday, July 13, as part of the 7th annual Franklin Tomorrow Shrimp Boil. A $500 grant to the winner’s non-profit of choice accompanies the Anne T. Rutherford Award, while a $250 grant accompanies the other awards.  A complete nomination form, with rules and additional information, is available by sending an email to mindy@franklintomorrow.org. A one-page statement describing the service of the nominees MUST ACCOMPANY the form.  Completed nominations should be submitted to mindy@franklintomorrow.org.  Sponsorship opportunities for the event — which normally draws approximately 300 people — are also available by calling Tate at 794-0998.