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Office of Public Information and Education
For additional information, please call (615) 532-6610 - Pager 1-800-283-0007 ID #7449

For Immediate Release
June 27, 2002

Nashville, TN — Tennessee – the Volunteer State. An aptly chosen name for a state that, historically, has seen its residents give their personal time (and sometimes their lives) to the ideals and programs that they feel to be a necessity.

The Tennessee Department of Mental Health and Developmental Disabilities (DMHDD), following a tradition of honoring its volunteers, held its 13^th annual volunteer luncheon Friday, June 21. The volunteers in attendance represented countless years of blood, sweat and tears suffered for the betterment of those with a mental illness or retardation. This year alone, volunteers gave 30,000 hours of their own personal time to help the DMHDD fulfill its mission in providing for some of the state’s most vulnerable citizens.

From the 20 nominees, the Volunteer of the Year, Volunteen of the Year, Volunteer Group of the Year, Volunteer Spirit Award, Helping Hand Award and the Commissioner’s Award winners were chosen. Commissioner Elisabeth Rukeyser was on hand to present the respective awards to each winner. (See attached list of winners.)

The event’s theme, "Honor, Courage and Commitment" was introduced by the presentation of colors by members of the Tennessee Army National Guard. Adelaide Vienneau, community relation’s manager of the Frist Center for the Visual Arts, was the featured speaker. And, The Mason/Pell Duo, two young Nashville musicians, donated their talents throughout the luncheon.

Centerstone CEO George Spain was presented with a certificate of appreciation for his graciousness in hosting the event at the Dede Wallace Center and allowing students from the Wallace Academy’s Advanced Culinary Art Class, under the direction of Certified Chef de Cuisine Len Mitchell, to provide the luncheon fare.

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