Getting the Word Out - October 2017
As temperatures finally begin to drop, these first balmy days of fall find End Slavery Tennessee in a whirlwind of activity, including trainings, advocacy presentations, community awareness events, and preparations for our annual gala, Voices of Freedom.
Long-time Brentwood Volunteer Group member and speaker, Jamie Corwin, was quite busy during the month of September. She spoke with members of the Westland United Methodist Church, Tulip Grove Baptist Church (along with Junior League volunteers Melanie Davenport and Brooke Coplon), the Toma Dachi Circle of Belle Meade United Methodist Church, and Rehoboth Methodist Church in Gallatin. Whew! We are so blessed to have someone like Jamie as part of the EndSlaveryTN family. As an avid volunteer and an Associate Pastor, Jamie has a special gift and passion when it comes to speaking about human trafficking with people of faith.
Tina McLane, Springhill Volunteer Group Leader, also lent her skills with training people of faith on September 21st.
Lisa Forte, new volunteer and now highly skilled speaker, shared her expertise with members of the Hartsville-Trousdale Chamber of Commerce on September 5th.
Passionate abolitionist and Brentwood Volunteer Group leader, Stacy Elliott, graciously stepped in to lead a volunteer training at the Brentwood Public Library on September 11th. With the growing number of volunteer submissions, we will most likely hold another training after the first of the year.
Our wonderful CEO, Derri Smith, participated in a Roundtable Dinner and Discussion with our avid volunteer partners, the Junior League of Nashville, at their Nashville headquarters on September 27th.
Lyndsay Stafford, Mrs. Williamson County and passionate volunteer, shared her fitness skills during a self-defense training held at the Village Chapel on September 30th.
Community Events seemed to be the focus during the month of September for many volunteers and volunteer groups. One of the Nashville Volunteer Group Leaders, Tonya Epps, represented ESTN at the Tennessee Conference – Young People’s Division, held at St. Paul AMEC Church in Columbia, TN, on September 9th.
The Nashville Volunteer Group also hosted a Community Event at the Green Hills Public Library on September 24th. I was honored to serve on a panel with retired TBI agent Rick Stout, and Franklin Police Vice officer, Cory Kroeger.
Cara Deese, Pat Thurmond, Mary Hill, and other members of the Franklin Volunteer Group represented End Slavery TN at the Sunday Market, held at the Factory in Franklin.
Not to be outdone, volunteers from the Hermitage/Donelson Volunteer Group, led by Johannah O’Connell and Robyn O’Connell, hosted/participated in the Hip Donelson Farmers’ Market on September 22nd.
Speaking of the Hermitage/Donelson group, member Debbie Byrd, along with volunteers Amy Pfeffer and Melissa Pingree, were on hand at the Domestic Violence Conference, hosted by YCC You Can Change. YCC is a non-profit community outreach organization, which focuses on victims of domestic violence.
Ending the month, Anne Mauldin and Sonia Boss, JLN volunteers, and Andrew Branch, John School speaker and Brentwood Volunteer Group member, were on hand at the St. Thomas Ascension Health Medical Mission Fair on Saturday, September 30th. This important annual event provides health and dental services for the Nashville Metropolitan area.
We have received over 187 new volunteer submissions as well as over 550 volunteer hours submitted by current active volunteers. “Thank you” does not cover how proud and honored we are to have such committed and passionate volunteers.
Stay tuned…….