Volunteer Appreciation

Dismas current and former residents, volunteers, mentors, board members, and friends gather annually to honor the contributions of community members who help make Dismas a true family.

During this event, attendees are inspired by resident and volunteer testimonials, and celebrate honorees as they are recognized for their service and commitment to the mission of Dismas House.

For more information, email ajordan@dismas.org.

2024 Honorees

Honored in 2024 for their exceptional contributions during individual ceremonies were (in order from top to bottom):

  • John Jenkins, Jr. Resident Service Award: Erik Dunn
  • Student Service Award: Vanessa Kirschke
  • Community Partner Service Award: Urban League of Middle Tennessee
  • Volunteer Service Recognition Award: Alex Joynes
  • Board Service Recognition Award: Dmetria Gibson

2023 Honorees

Honored in 2023 for their exceptional contributions during individual ceremonies were:

  • Community Partner Service Award: Shade Tree Clinic
  • Student Service Award: Declan Harris
  • Volunteer Service Recognition Award: Patchwork
  • John Jenkins, Jr. Resident Service Award: Michael Barrett
  • Board Service Recognition Award: Steve Cook
  • Grace Morales Outstanding Service Award: Phil Ryan

2022 Honorees

Being honored in 2022 for their exceptional contributions are:

  • Beverly Richardson – Student Volunteer of the Year
  • Kavi Palmer – Volunteer of the Year
  • Charles “Eddie” Highers – John Jenkins, Jr. Resident Award
  • Fifth Third – Community Partner of the Year
  • David Hart – Board Member of the Year
  • Paul Connelly – Grace Morales Commitment to Service Award

2021 Honorees

Honored in 2021 for their exceptional contributions during a virtual ceremony were:

  • Thomas “Tom” Stearns – Grace Morales Commitment to Service Award
  • Dawn Mason – Board Member of the Year
  • Centerstone – Community Partner of the Year
  • Mary Beth Harding – Volunteer of the Year
  • Hannah “Grace” Jensen – Student Volunteer of the Year
  • Edward Jones – John Jenkins, Jr. Resident Award

2020 Honorees

Honored in 2020 for their exceptional contributions during a ceremony were:

  • Brandon Harper – John Jenkins, Jr. Resident of the Year
  • FiFi Johnson – Volunteer of the Year
  • Robert Fuller – Student Volunteer of the Year
  • Interfaith Dental Services – Community Partner of the Year
  • Paul Connelly – Board Member of the Year
  • Kay Kretsch – Grace Morales Commitment to Service Award

Their contributions allow us to convey our collective expression of gratitude of service for all the volunteers who share their time and talent with Dismas residents.

People standing on stage holding awards at the Dismas volunteer appreciation dinner

2019 Honorees

Honored in 2019 for their exceptional contributions during a  ceremony were:

  • Joel Gipson – John Jenkins, Jr. Resident of the Year
  • Kala Kloeber – Volunteer of the Year
  • Mary Welch – Student Volunteer of the Year
  • Shade Tree Clinic – Community Partner of the Year
  • Bob Adams – Board Member of the Year
  • Patrick Theobald – Grace Morales Commitment to Service Award

Sponsors like First Tennessee Bank, TomKats Catering, and Vanderbilt University helped us make this night possible.

Six individuals standing together with volunteer appreciation awards

2018 Honorees

Honored in 2018 for their exceptional contributions were:

  • Stan Helterbran – John Jenkins, Jr. Resident of the Year
  • Mercury Court Clinic – Community Partner of the Year
  • Lynne McFarland and Pat McDougal – Volunteer of the Year
  • Kay Kretsch – Board Member of the Year
  • Jeff Lynch – Grace Morales Lifetime Achievement Award