More than 600 volunteers and agency representatives attended today’s luncheon and ceremony at the Franklin Marriott’s Cool Springs Conference Center. The annual event, sponsored in part by Ford Motor Company, recognizes volunteers of all ages, backgrounds and experiences for giving their time to make a difference in their communities and in the lives of others.

The five award winners were selected out of 15 finalists, and 75 nominees. Following is a list of winners in each category, and a brief description of the volunteer work for which they are recognized.

Community-Wide Volunteer Award: The Community-Wide Volunteer Award recognizes individuals who are involved in a variety of community activities and make a positive impact on agencies and the community at large.

  Cynthia Black of Nashville is the 2008 recipient of the Community-Wide Volunteer Award Presented by CMT One Country. Nominated for her work with St. Luke’s Community House, Black has been actively involved with the Robertson, Urbandale and Nations Neighborhood Association; Light in the Nations; Cub Scout Troop, Pack 169; and the Metro Beautification & Environment Commission. Black has also served as the District 20 Metro Beautification representative and was named by Gov. Phil Bredesen as honorary Colonel of the Aide de Camp in 2004.
 

Direct Service Volunteer Award: The Direct Service Volunteer Award refers to individuals who have demonstrated a long-term and exemplary commitment to an agency, making a positive impact on that agency and its constituents.

   Linda Johnston of Brentwood has been named the 2008 recipient of the Direct Services Volunteer Award Presented by redpepper for her work at Morning Star Sanctuary. Johnston and others started the Morning Star mentoring group almost 10 years ago to support women who were recovering from domestic violence. This group is one of the first of its kind in the United States and has quickly grown to support more than 23 women. Johnston also serves on Morning Star’s board of directors, golf tournament committee and the committee for its annual fundraiser, Christmas of Hope.
 

Volunteer Group Award: The Volunteer Group Award pertains to representatives of civic, membership or corporate groups who volunteer together for a cause.

   The Oasis Center’s International Teen Outreach Program (ITOP) is the 2008 recipient of the Volunteer Group Award Presented by MARS Petcare. ITOP uses community service projects to acclimate more than 250 immigrant, refugee and first-generation Americans from more than 25 countries to the cultural and social demands of American life. Last year, ITOP youth participated in more than 60 projects and volunteered more than 2,552 hours to help address significant social issues.
 

Volunteer Innovator Award: The Volunteer Innovator Award recognizes individuals or groups who have designed creative volunteer programs, practices or responses to address unmet community needs, or have taken a creative approach to an existing program or agency.

   Jim Weber and Melony Pugh-Weber of Nashville have been named the 2008 recipients of the Volunteer Innovator Award Presented by Volunteer Tennessee for their work with CiViL Groups at Stratford High School. The CiViL Groups program was started by the Webers in 2004 to address high school retention through small group meetings focused on emotional intelligence and character education. Since the Webers began working with Stratford High School, the graduation rate has gone from 38 percent in 2004 to 74 percent in 2007.
 

Youth Volunteer Award: The Youth Volunteer Award recognizes youth ages 5 to 22 who serve as an inspiration to others through significant volunteerism.

   Bailey Roberts, a sophomore at Vanderbilt University, has been named the 2008 recipient for the Youth Volunteer Award Presented by Baptist Healing Trust for her work with the PENCIL Foundation. Roberts serves as president of Pencil Projects, the Vanderbilt Chapter of the PENCIL Foundation. Roberts has also volunteered with Manna Project International, Small Gestures, Move Crew, Commodore Trot and The Salvation Army Soup Wagon.

The Mary Catherine Strobel Awards is a program of Hands On Nashville. The Strobel Volunteer Awards are named in memory of the late Mary Catherine Strobel, known for her extensive and charitable efforts toward improving the lives of Middle Tennessee’s homeless, impoverished and less fortunate populations. The established awards celebrate Strobel’s service and recognize those who continue her legacy.