2025 Third Quarter Volunteer Impact Report

Special Edition: Q3 Volunteer Impact Report

We hope you're having a fantastic fall season so far and are looking forward to the upcoming holidays ahead. It's the perfect time to start thinking of ways to give back, so be sure to explore the volunteer portal to discover new ways to get involved. We welcomed several new community partners to the volunteer portal over the last couple of weeks, so be sure to check out the great work they do. 

One special way to give back this season is by supporting our Annual Angel Tree Program, benefiting low-income older adults. Help us make their holidays brighter by gifting them with items they need most and a few fun surprises!

We're also excited to share highlights from our Q3 Volunteer Impact Report where you'll see the incredible difference your time and dedication have made across the region. Your efforts, combined with those of fellow volunteers, truly add up. Thank you for helping build a stronger, more connected Middle Tennessee!

A Heartfelt Thanks This Thanksgiving Season

As we approach Thanksgiving, we want to express our sincere gratitude for everything you do. Your kindness, generosity, and commitment to service inspire our team every day. Together, we are building stronger communities, creating connections, and brightening lives across Middle Tennessee. Thank you for being part of our volunteer family! We wish you a warm and joyful Thanksgiving!

Upcoming Office Closures:

• November 11: Veterans Day

• November 27-28: Thanksgiving Holiday

Be an Angel for an Older Adult This Holiday Season!

Many older adults in our community are struggling to meet basic needs, and extras are often out of reach. Help us show them they are valued and cared for this holiday season with small gifts that make a big difference. The Angel Tree Program benefits GNRC's Guardianship clients as well as Mid-Cumberland Human Resources Agency's Meals on Wheels recipients.

 
How it works:

1. Click here to view our Sign-up Form.
   
2. Select the items you'd like to purchase. You can choose multiple items. Make sure to click "Save and Continue" at the bottom of the form to confirm your selections and submit your contact information.
3. Drop off or mail your gifts to GNRC's office by November 26th
   
   

Items can be dropped off at our office Monday through Friday between 8:00 am and 4:30 pm: 44 Vantage Way, Suite 450, Nashville, TN 37228

Questions? Contact Rebecca Nofi at rnofi@gnrc.org or call 615-891-5876.

Third Quarter Overview 

As we celebrate the spirit of giving this season, let's take a moment to look back at the incredible impact volunteers made this past quarter.

Between July and September, 304 volunteers gave 3,911 hours of their time towards service opportunities through GNRC. According to the Independent Sector, that time translates to an incredible value of $119,481 to our communities. We also welcomed 148 new volunteers to the portal. Thank you for stepping up and sharing your time and talents. We're grateful to have you on board!

Friendly Visitor/ Friendly Neighbor Program

Friendly Visitors with the Guardianship Program bring compassion and kindness to their clients. In Q3, 9 Friendly Visitors made 54 visits to 12 clients, contributing a total of 69 hours to provide connection, comfort, and companionship.

Our 3 Friendly Neighbor volunteers made a meaningful impact in the lives of three clients by supporting them with errands, conversation and companionship through their bi-weekly visits. Thank you for showing up with kindness for our isolated neighbors!

Medicare Program

Our Medicare Counseling Program Volunteers have been focused on community outreach this quarter. Volunteers provided one-on-one counseling to 1,940 clients, staffed 48 outreach events reaching 5,987 individuals, and gave 16 presentations to a total of 186 attendees. Overall, they contributed an incredible 2,386 hours to this vital work.

As Open Enrollment continues (Oct 15-Dec 7), volunteers are helping hundreds of Medicare beneficiaries compare plans and make informed decisions for 2026. Let's give them a shout out for the important work they do in providing free, unbiased and non-commissioned information and enrollment assistance to so many people with questions. Thank you for empowering older adults with information and support around Medicare!

If you know someone that would like assistance, you can find more info at www.gnrc.org/Medicare.

Letter Writing Campaign

Your letters continue to brighten lives across Middle Tennessee! In Q3 volunteers sent 3,778 letters, offering encouragement and connection to 1,699 residents. Since launching in April 2020, we've now reached a grand total of 121,541 letters sent! Your words truly help older adults and disabled individuals feel seen and cared for, one letter at a time!

Digital Literacy Classes for Older Adults

Thanks to 9 wonderful volunteer trainers and amazing partner sites, we were able to host 10 digital literacy class series in Q3 providing their class participants with confidence to use a computer. 137 older adults completed the classes learning basic computer skills and functions to operate a Chrome Book and Google applications. After completing 15 hours of training, participants received a free Chrome Book to take home through GNRC's partnership with Tech Goes Home.

Thank you to the patient volunteers who gave their time to teach the classes to help empower older adults to be successful and stay connected in this digital world.

Aging Advisory Committee

The Aging Advisory Committee (AAC) is a locally appointed committee that convenes no less than quarterly to advise GNRC in its role as the Area Agency on Aging and Disability (AAAD). Comprised of individuals who represent the needs of older adults and the organizations that serve them, the AAC is responsible for reviewing, commenting, and making recommendations on the Area Plan on Aging.

In September, guest speaker Dr. James Powers, Associate Professor of Gerontologic Nursing at Vanderbilt University, discussed trends in aging, social determinants of health and the barriers to health care access older Tennesseans currently face, and presented recommendations for successful aging.

The September meeting highlighted two notable volunteer-supported programs: the SHIP Medicare Counseling Program and the Digital Literacy for Seniors program.

The meeting concluded with a special plaque presentation to AAC member Don Ames, outgoing AAC Chair (2020-2024), for his exceptional services. 

Shown in Photo (L to R): Sara Fowler, Don Ames, Ed Cole

Learn more about the AAC, including past meeting agendas and minutes, at www.gnrc.org/235/Aging-Advisory-Committee

Administrative and Communication Services

Behind the scenes, 11 administrative volunteers contributed 31.25 hours assisting with data entry, mailings, and office tasks - ensuring everything runs smoothly. We also thank our planning project volunteer who spent 7 hours photographing landmarks in Wilson County for GNRC's regional planning work. Your time and attention to detail make a big difference!

Arts Build Communities Grant Reviews 

Each year, GNRC Art Volunteers help to review grant applications for art projects in Middle Tennessee counties. Their expertise in the field play a crucial role to score each application, ask applicants relevant questions about their proposed projects, and make recommendations to the Arts Commission on which projects should receive funding. In Q3, 9 volunteers spent 130.5 hours reviewing and scoring 62 grant applications, helping the Tennessee Arts Commission award funding to 34 local arts projects. Thank you for lending your expertise to support creativity and community engagement across our region!

Learn More About Volunteering

For more volunteer opportunities with GNRC visit www.gnrc.org/volunteer.

If you have questions about volunteering, please reach out to Rebecca Nofi at rnofi@gnrc.org or call 615-891-5876.