Blog

After a childhood filled with neglect, abuse, abandonment, foster homes and trouble with the law, on the heels of serving time in Vietnam with the military, Carl Carlson made some bad choices and ended up in the state penitentiary on an armed robbery charge. It was during his time in prison that Carl found Christ and from that point on has dedicated his life to help the less fortunate and the ostracized in our society.

 

For the past 30 plus years, Gayle Moyer Harris, has helped shaped Williamson County through her work serving as a county commissioner. Because of her leadership helping to form the Williamson County Economic Development effort and Franklin Tomorrow as well as her service on the Board of Directors for the Williamson County Public Library, YMCA of Middle Tennessee and the Board of Directors for the Community Housing Partnership of Williamson County and her efforts serving as the inaugural director of the 21st Judicial District Drug Court.

 

In 8 years Kennette Pyles taught survival skills in the Nashville area to more than 1,000 local infants and young children. After loosing her own son Ryan to a tragic drowning, she also helped to create the Ryan Pyles Aquatic Foundation to help prevent childhood drowning.

 

Dorie Bolze has spent her career committed to conservation. For over 15 years she led the Harpeth River Watershed Association based in Williamson County. Her commitment to the preservation and restoration of environmental resources, including the Harpeth River, has made a tremendous difference in communities across Middle Tennessee.

 

Many locals already know the story- when Ellie Ambrose was only 10 years old, she had a dream of hosting a 5K Run and Family Fun Day to benefit kids in the slums of Africa. Over the past 11 years, thousands of middle Tennessee runners and Hero fund raisers have joined together to raise over $500,000 funding education for thousands of kids who now have hope of a future outside of the slums.

 

At the tender age of 7 Christian Kissinger convinced his mother to take on a position that led to her starting a statewide branch of VSA International, an organization dedicated to providing opportunities for people with disabilities to participate in and express themselves through the arts and arts education. And over the years he has helped VSA Tennessee in multiple ways, from meeting with the legislators in Washington, D.C. lobbying for the cause, to performing for children with disabilities to help inspire them to reach their goals.

 

Retired Franklin police officer, Tommy Heithcock, spent 36 years serving as a police officer in Williamson County, 26 of those with the City of Franklin. He's also been a volunteer with Peytonsville's Volunteer Fire Department, currently serving as the President of their board. Throughout his work and his life he's approached it all in a show up and help however you can way and has been a longtime trusted source of assistance in his community.

 

Twenty years ago Judy Suter was faced with the unthinkable when her then 27 year old brother took his own life. When she began looking into the community for bereavement assistance for herself and her young children she found resources were limited. She then took it upon herself to perform a needs analysis, and with a pocket full of determination and courage, voiced her concerns to the governing bodies and asked permission to take a group of children to camp.

 

It was a spot on the news that piqued retired Army Colonel Paul Fleenor's interest in Honor Flight and lead to him to spearhead the efforts to bring the program to Middle Tennessee. Founded as an attempt to insure that as many WWII Veterans as possible get the chance to travel to Washington D.C. to see the memorial dedicated to their heroic efforts, the Honor Flight Program provides the trip, free of charge, to as many veterans as possible. After seeing the spotlight on the Honor Flight Program Fleenor traveled to Washington D.C. to…

'Picture of humility', 'a generous heart', 'an inspiration', 'dedicated' are just a few of the words used to describe Nicole Cochran by those who know and love her. It is for her love of community, kind heart and inspiring story as a single foster mother that she was honored as a Darrell Waltrip Automotive Hometown Hero.