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An initiative of Hands On | United Way of Greater Nashville
The Volunteer Network began as an outpouring of volunteer support in Wilson County following the devastating March 2020 tornadoes. More than 4,000 volunteers registered through a portal established by the Mount Juliet Police Department to help local homes, schools, and businesses that were significantly damaged. Community leaders and groups across the county worked to coordinate a weekend of recovery efforts. During that time, Regina Girten and Jamie Tyner met while serving as outreach directors within their churches as they assisted in organizing recovery efforts.
Following this inspiring weekend, several community leaders and groups continued learning best practices in long-term recovery through the United Methodist Committee on Relief and the Salvation Army. Initially, these efforts took place in Lebanon and Mount Juliet, but under the direction of the Wilson County Mayor’s office, eventually merged.
Recover Wilson served as the Long Term Recovery Group for Wilson County for the tornado of 2020, flood of 2021, and tornado of 2022.
As relief efforts began to settle, Regina and Jamie were only beginning. The two met to discuss their work in continuing to serve Wilson County, and quickly realized there was a more efficient way to utilize volunteers across the county. Churches, nonprofits, and civic organizations began meeting to strategize on creating a more holistic and equitable change within Wilson County's community, and the Volunteer Network was born. As an initiative of Hands On | United Way of Greater Nashville, the Volunteer Network has developed an online system for community members to connect with volunteer needs posted by local nonprofits, businesses, and churches.
Learn more about Volunteer Network TN
Recover Wilson Team Members:
- Chairs: Rev. Regina Girten and Michael Moscardelli
- Construction: Westminster Home Connection and a subcommittee of contractors and churches willing to provide repairs and rebuilds
- Care: Lantern Lane Farm and Counseling Center
- Case Management: Tornado Recovery Connection and the TNUMC (which would turn into Disaster Recovery Connection), with a team of fourteen case managers
- Funding: Led by Community Foundation of Middle TN, Michael Moscardelli, and a subcommittee of community churches
- Communications: Community Foundation of Middle TN
- Materials Management: Community Resource Center
- Debris Removal: Hands On Nashville provided assessments, Jamie Tyner and Cross Point Church coordinated the jobs
- Volunteer Management: Lutheran Disaster Response, Providence Church, Cross Point Church, The Glade Church, and Everyone’s Wilson
- Additionally Represented on the Team: Mayor of Wilson County, Representatives from each city’s Chamber of Commerce, Representatives from Wilson County Schools, Everyone’s Wilson, Each Help Center in the county, Wilson County Civic League, and pastors from several churches across the county
