Tasha French is the winner of the 2009 Tennessee Titans Community Quarterback Award. |
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"This award is such an honor,” said French. “It really is a huge support from the Nashville community and from the Tennessee Titans for this project and for our vendors. The money is really going to help us become more sustainable over the next few years and help us continue to do this project in a more self sufficient way."
French was one of four volunteers recognized today for their work with non-profit organizations. These volunteers were chosen based on their leadership and dedication to bettering their hometown communities. The Titans Community Quarterback Award program is a statewide contest that recognizes outstanding volunteers, ages 13 and up, of non-profit organizations in Tennessee. The winners were awarded with grants from the Tennessee Titans Foundation that totaled $17,500, bringing the total grants awarded since the program started in 2000 to $215,500.
The following quotations are from French’s nomination submitted by Andrew Krinks, Copy Editor and Board Member of The Contributor:
“Before Tasha came around, Nashville’s average citizen knew little to nothing about homelessness in our city… Many Nashvillians now see homeless individuals not as lazy and dirty but as approachable, friendly, and even driven to rise out of their circumstances. These epiphanies- taking place in persons all around our city- are due in no small part to the diligent work, commitment, and leadership of Tasha French. When Tasha helps those who are poor and homeless make a better life for themselves, she isn’t just helping them; she’s helping the entire community. Because the problem of homelessness is not just the problem of those who suffer it, it is the problem of every neighbor and citizen of this city.”
“Each year we learn of many great volunteers doing magnificent work throughout the state and this year’s Community Quarterback Award group continues to amaze me,” said Titans Owner K.S. “Bud” Adams, Jr. “Tasha French continues the tradition of statewide winners who give so much to non-profit organizations in Tennessee.”
“Tasha is truly an inspiration to us all,” continued Adams. “Community involvement is very important to me and the entire Titans organization. We are pleased to present this grant to The Contributor in recognition of Tasha’s dedication. We salute not only today’s four grant winners but everyone that was nominated for this year’s Titans Community Quarterback Award! I say this every year, and it continues to be true – this program shows that Tennessee truly is the Volunteer State.”
There was a three way tie for second place among Monk Baird from Nashville Area Habitat for Humanity, Renee Behrman-Greiman from Big Brothers Big Sisters of Middle Tennessee and Emmit Martin from Cancer Awareness Project. Each of these three finalists received a grant of $2,500 for finishing tied in the runner-up position.
More information about Tasha French, age 32, Nashville - The Contributor
Tasha French is the volunteer Executive Director of The Contributor, Nashville’s street newspaper. In the fall of 2007, she brought together the group of outreach workers, homeless and formerly homeless writers and artists who launched the newspaper beginning with their first issue in the winter of 2007 and continuing with their 21st issue published this month. Tasha solicits, collects and creates news content, edits copy and designs each page of the monthly issue for press. Her efforts in creating and sustaining the paper for the past two years have created jobs and income for many who might otherwise have no way to make a living.
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