Best Individual or Corporate Citizen/Leadership | An individual or group award recognizing business leaders, philanthropists, communitarians, volunteers, nonprofit organizations, etc., who have given time and/or other resources to make the Upper Cumberland a better place.
Josh Pack – Community for Heroes
Putnam County
Bon Air Mountain native and former Navy man Josh Pack knows what it’s like to be homeless. Through his non-profit Community for Heroes, Pack hopes to end homelessness, provide comradery and support for those who have given so much for their country.
Through Community for Heroes, a 501(c)3, Pack plans to build 100 or more tiny homes, roughly 300-450 square feet each, for veterans in need. The homes won’t be available for purchase but participants in the program will be required to donate “sweat equity.”
Currently, Community for Heroes stands at 65 percent of their $10,000 goal to provide utilities and building funds.
—
Glenn McDonald
Cumberland County
An advocate of tourism in the Upper Cumberland, more specifically, to his home base of Crossville, Glenn McDonald has worked tirelessly over the years to champion for his community and the region as a tourist destination.
He has served on the Convention and Visitors Bureau and as vice chair of the tourism/retiree relocation committee in the past. His years of experience in the tourism arena make him a wealth of knowledge of all of the local hotspots for those new to the area.
—
Cookeville Regional Charitable Foundation
Putnam County/Region | 1 Medical Center Blvd., Cookeville
(931) 783-2037
After more than a decade since its creation, the Cookeville Regional Charitable Foundation, a 501(c)3 nonprofit, is helping more patients focus on getting better instead of how to cover their expenses, like utility bills, for example, while seeking treatment.
In 2016, nearly 1,900 patients have been helped through the Foundation’s efforts, a record number. 100 percent of each personal gift goes straight into the fund to help patients in need.
—
Karen McMeekin (A Time 4 Paws)
Cumberland County | PO Box 2982, Crossville
(931) 707-9889
Karen McMeekin loves animals. So much so that she sold her home and is currently working through the final steps to take possession of her recently-purchased 100-acre spread – a step she hopes will allow her and her organization, A Time 4 Paws, to help more animals in need.
In short, the organization is a no-kill, nonprofit animal welfare organization based in Crossville. Through education and outreach, the organization strives to eliminate the killing of homeless dogs and cats and to prevent cruelty to animals.
—
View our other Ovations 2017 category winners here:
- OVATIONS 2017 | Excellence in Manufacturing
- OVATIONS 2017 | Excellence in Tourism Promotion
- OVATIONS 2017 | Favorite Professional Services
- OVATIONS 2017 | Favorite Restaurant, Food or Drink
- OVATIONS 2017 | Favorite Retail Establishment
- OVATIONS 2017 | Spirit of Entrepreneurship
