Join us for the 38th Annual
Mary Catherine Strobel Volunteer Awards!

The Mary Catherine Strobel Volunteer Awards are Middle Tennessee's largest annual celebration of volunteerism. This inspiring event is held in partnership with the family of Mary Catherine Strobel, a community volunteer best remembered for her tireless, joyful commitment to serving those in need. Award recipients will be announced at a celebration on Thursday, May 9, 2024, where they will receive
$1,000 to donate to a nonprofit they care about.

Meet the finalists!
See all the 2024 nominees

Meet the finalists for the 2024 Strobel Volunteer Awards

Click the image or link below to read their stories of service on our blog. Join us May 9 to hear who will be chosen
as the award recipient from each category!

Read each finalist's story of service on our blog!

Thank you to our generous Strobel Volunteer Awards sponsors

Click here to learn about sponsorships

2024 Strobel Volunteer Awards Categories

New: The Charles Strobel Legacy of Service Award: Recognizes individuals or groups who have made a lasting impact on the community from their volunteer service and have inspired others to create positive change. This award is named in honor of Mary Catherine's son Charles who dedicated his life to service and recognized the dignity in all people.

Disaster Response Award: Recognizes individuals or groups who made a significant contribution to disaster relief, preparation, or mitigation and prevention in 2023.

Social Justice Impact Award: Recognizes individuals or groups whose volunteer work in 2023 was centered on dismantling or calling out systemic injustices or oppression and lifting up disenfranchised communities.

Youth Volunteer Award: Recognizes individuals who contributed significant volunteer time, energy, and/or resources in 2023 to help the community. Volunteers or groups ages 5-20 are eligible.

Adult Volunteer Award: Recognizes individuals who contributed significant volunteer time, energy, and/or resources in 2023 to help the community. Volunteers or groups ages 21-59 are eligible.

Older Adult Volunteer Award: Recognizes individuals who contributed significant volunteer time, energy, and/or resources in 2023 to help the community. Volunteers or groups ages 60+ are eligible.

Strobel Volunteer Awards Frequently Asked Questions

How do I attend the awards ceremony? The 38th Annual Mary Catherine Strobel Volunteer Awards ceremony welcomes finalists, their nominators and guests, and sponsors to the in-person event. The whole community is invited to join us on May 9 on Instagram @honashville to watch the inspiring event.

Who is eligible for a 2024 Strobel Award? The 38th Annual Mary Catherine Strobel Volunteer Awards celebrates Nashville-area volunteer service performed during 2023. Individual volunteers and volunteer groups are eligible to be nominated.

What is the process for becoming a finalist? Hands On Nashville does not choose the 18 finalists. After nominations are in, we invite about 30 community leaders across Middle Tennessee to review the submissions and make the challenging decision of selecting the Strobel Award finalists.

How do finalists become award recipients?  Hands On Nashville does not choose the award recipients. A panel of judges made up of community leaders meet and review each of the Strobel Award finalists’ stories. The judges select the finalists based on community impact, time volunteered, and the level to which the volunteer exemplifies the spirit of the category.

How many nominations can I submit? As many as you'd like! Just make sure you're nominating in the best category for the service described.

Can I nominate myself or my group? No, but you can lobby a friend or loved one to nominate you or your group.

I volunteer with my spouse or partner. Can we be nominated together? We love couples who volunteer! Couples should be nominated either individually in one of the categories for individual volunteers, or they can be entered in the Group Volunteer Service category.

What about volunteers who receive payment or benefits for their service? Award nominations are open only to volunteers who do not receive payment or benefits in exchange for their service. Employees who began the year as volunteers for their organization and were hired on later are eligible to be nominated for the portion of their service that was voluntary, and not considered employment. Please be sure to clearly explain the situation in the nomination form!

What if I'm not sure what category a nomination should be in or I have a question not answered on this page? We are happy to help talk you through it! Email handson@unitedwaygn.org.