Food City has honored Sarah Fennell from Blaine with the Claude P. Varney Volunteer Service Award for her exceptional contributions to the community, showcasing the supermarket’s commitment to fostering volunteerism among its staff.
Short Summary:
- Sarah Fennell recognized for her dedication to Tennessee Achieve/Promise.
- Food City’s Claude P. Varney Volunteer Recognition Program celebrates community service.
- The program continues the legacy of compassion established by former president Claude P. Varney.
Food City, a staple in the supermarket industry known for its unparalleled customer service and community engagement, has once again shown its dedication to social responsibility by honoring Sarah Fennell from the Blaine store with the esteemed Claude P. Varney Volunteer Service Award for 2024. This recognition celebrates individuals within the Food City family who have made significant contributions to their communities.
The Claude P. Varney Volunteer Recognition Program was initiated in memory of Food City’s former president and board vice-chair, Claude P. Varney. Varney’s commitment to humanitarian service was widely recognized and has inspired many of his associates to engage actively in charitable endeavors. As Steven C. Smith, the current president and CEO of Food City, put it,
“As a company, we’re committed to giving back to the communities we serve, while providing a work environment that enables our associates to grow both personally and professionally as successful members of our team.”
Each year, Food City establishes special committees to evaluate the volunteer activities of their associates. Winners are chosen based on remarkable achievements across various sectors including health, education, environmental initiatives, cultural arts, recreation, history, and public service.
“Many of our associates volunteer their time and talents in service of civic organizations throughout the region, and we’re proud to formally recognize their efforts,”
Smith continued.
Sarah Fennell’s recognition comes as a result of her impactful work with Tennessee Achieve/Promise, a vital initiative aimed at enhancing educational opportunities and guidance for students in the area. Her efforts not only uplift individuals but also contribute to the broader community’s educational landscape. With tenacity and passion, Sarah exemplifies the spirit of volunteerism that Food City strives to foster among its employees.
Throughout the recognition process, individual store winners are selected from across various locations. The following highlights the outstanding contributions made by other associates in the Knoxville area:
- Alcoa: Natalie Murrell – Volunteers with Eagleton School.
- Maynardville: Ava Tiller – Supports Pink Box.
- Oak Ridge: Dee Childress – Assists with Bark Place for Dogs/Shultz Guest House.
- Hardin Valley: Bettye Venable – Works with The Good Shepherd Center.
- Strawberry Plains: Jackie Brown – Involvement with Sidebrook Baptist Church.
- Middlebrook Pike: Juliann Bryan – Engages with A Place at the Table.
- Bearden Center: Dustin Pierce – Provides service through Carecuts of Knoxville.
- Western Avenue: Karina Nusbaum – Supporting Powell Special Olympics.
- Clinton Highway: Brooke Blalock – Volunteers at Knox County Sheriff’s Office.
- Malone Creek Dr.: Martin Smith – Active with Sharon Baptist Church.
- Mountain Grove Dr.: Rosemary Gendreau – Assists TN missing pets/feral feline friends.
- Loves Creek Rd.: Zoe Ketner – Volunteers with The Pursuit Church.
- Halls Center: Rivers Krantz – Active with Isaiah 117 House.
- Morrell Rd.: Evan Stone – Volunteers with Stockton Valley Baptist Youth.
The store winners progress through a competitive process to the district level, where twelve district winners are recognized. Each district winner receives an award alongside a $250 contribution to a charity of their choice, enabling them to further support their selected causes. From these district winners, three divisional winners are then chosen, each receiving a plaque and a $750 charitable donation.
The pinnacle of the recognition process is the announcement of the overall winner for the Claude P. Varney Humanitarian Award. This prestigious accolade not only bestows a title of honor but also includes a generous $1,250 charitable contribution made on behalf of the recipient.
“We’re extremely proud of the difference our associates make in their community by devoting their time and talents in the service of others,”
noted Smith, reflecting on the significant achievements of those honored through the program.
Supporting communities is a fundamental part of Food City’s corporate ethos. This year, the program’s influence extends beyond an internal acknowledgment; it actively fosters a culture of volunteerism that resonates through the communities served. The recognition provided through the Claude P. Varney Volunteer Service Award not only celebrates individual contributions but encourages a collective effort towards enhancing community welfare.
Smith further emphasized the commitment Food City has towards these initiatives, stating that their goal is to ensure associates are equipped with the necessary support to succeed as corporate citizens. This means not just recognizing efforts but actively participating in community betterment. By spotlighting employees like Sarah Fennell, Food City manages to inspire others to engage in meaningful and impactful community service.
The legacy of Claude P. Varney continues to thrive as associates feel empowered to contribute their skills and time to causes that matter to them. Each year’s winners serve as a testament to the spirit of giving that Varney epitomized during his tenure. Through the Claude P. Varney Volunteer Recognition Program, Food City reinforces the value of community involvement, fostering an environment where employees can shine in their philanthropic pursuits.
As technology evolves, so too do the tools available to share stories of kindness and generosity. In a digital age, initiatives like this can leverage platforms and AI-driven tools to enhance community engagement by bringing visibility to charitable acts. For example, the use of AI article writing technology could help spotlight more stories of volunteerism, creating impactful narratives that encourage others to follow suit. Interested readers can learn more about such technologies at Autoblogging.ai, where the intersection of technology and writing can revolutionize how we communicate community service efforts.
In conclusion, the recognition of Sarah Fennell and her fellow associates serves as a reminder of the power of individuals to affect change within their communities. Food City’s commitment to volunteerism, underpinned by the Claude P. Varney Volunteer Recognition Program, showcases the difference that supportive corporate environments can make in fostering humanitarian efforts. As we look to the future, it is through such initiatives that we can continue to cultivate a culture of compassion, community, and active participation in making a positive impact.