Rotary Club of Brentwood awards grants to local nonprofits

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Jodi Rall - Williamson Herald) The Rotary Club of Brentwood’s charitable arm, the Brentwood Rotary Club Charitable Foundation (BRCCF), awarded three local nonprofits major grants for their work in the community. 

“These three organizations are worthy charities and we have awarded them each $10,000,” Tom Carr, president of the BRCCF, said in a press release. “Our club has served local charities, international giving that is ongoing, and each club member supports these with their gifts and our fundraisers.”

The BRCCF looks for causes consistent with the values of Rotary. Humanitarian and education grants that leverage financial and other support from the Rotary Foundation and other groups are favored. 

The three nonprofits chosen were End Slavery Tennessee, Owls Hill Nature Preserve and the One Brentwood YMCA’s After Breast Cancer (ABC) program.

End Slavery Tennessee was represented by Shelby Ball, grant partnership specialist, and Carlee Smith, director of development and external affairs. 

Smith shared staggering statistics about slavery in Tennessee and in Brentwood, according to the release. She shared the story of one survivor and the barriers they are up against when trying to start their life over. 

Susan Duvenhage, executive director, spoke on behalf of Owls Hill Nature preserve. “We connect people with nature,” she said. She gave an overview of how the grant will be utilized at Owls Hill. 

The ABC program representatives were Elizabeth Boles, director of healthy living at the YMCA, Susan Davenport, ABC program director YMCA, and Tracy Good, ABC coordinator. 

Davenport shared her emotional testimony of being diagnosed with breast cancer and going through ABC herself. It is full circle as she now helps other women across Middle Tennessee on their journey through breast cancer. 

The Rotary Club of Brentwood is a chartered club of Rotary International since Oct. 17, 1973, when it was founded with the original 35 members and is dedicated to encouraging and fostering the ideal of service above self as the basis of worthy enterprise.

To provide business, professional and community leaders an opportunity to promote high ethical standards and fellowship while serving in the Brentwood Community, and also promote goodwill worldwide.

The Rotary Club of Brentwood meets at the FiftyForward Martin Center in Brentwood at 11:30 a.m. on Fridays. The center is located at 960 Heritage Way in Brentwood. Visitors are always welcome. 

To contact the club, visit https://portal.clubrunner.ca/5542/sitepage/contact.