Kristen Edgeworth
Kristen Edgeworth and the team of Valerie Burke and Jamie Wright were honored Monday night as Hamilton County’s winners at the seventh annual Governor’s Volunteer Stars Awards Program in Franklin, TN.
The program, organized by Volunteer Tennessee, recognizes outstanding volunteers across Tennessee for their dedication to community service. According to state generated statistics, 1.3 million Tennessee volunteers give more than 149 million hours of service, contributing the equivalent of $3.4 billion to Tennessee’s economy.
Youth Winner: Kristen Edgeworth – Signal Centers
Kristen is not a typical 15 year old girl. For over a year, Kristen has spent countless hours providing programs and services for special needs adults at Chattanooga’s Signal Centers. Her patience, initiative, and compassion make her an exemplary volunteer and a valued member of the staff. In addition to her own dedicated service, not associated with school or another organization which requires it, Kristen has recruited others to join her. She is one of the participant’s favorite smiling faces – bringing joy to everyone she touches.
Adult Winner(s): Valerie Burke and Jamie Wright (Team) - Erlanger Hospital
Ms. Burke and Ms. Wright are lifelong friends who began volunteering as a team after high school graduation in 2007. Ms. Burke was born with spina bifida and is confined to a wheelchair. Ms. Wright is Ms. Burke’s caretaker, helping when her body can’t. But Ms. Wright has her own personal challenges and she draws strength and confidence from Ms. Burke’s naturally out-going personality. Together this dynamic duo greets patients and provides information every day to hospital visitors. Both women have more than 5,000 lifetime volunteer service hours and they are valued members of the Erlanger Health System team.
Mayor Jim Coppinger said, “These generous citizens embody the spirit of giving, selflessly helping fulfil needs that would otherwise go unmet. I am grateful they live in our community.”
Valerie Burke and Jamie Wright