HENDERSONVILLE, TN — The Hendersonville Area (TN) Chapter of The Links, Incorporated, an organization dedicated to transformational service, recently recognized several organizations and partners during their 50th anniversary year acknowledging their continued commitment to service and meeting community needs. During a special celebration at the Gaylord Springs Golf Resort in Nashville on Aug. 15, more than 200 people were in attendance for the grand affair that featured music, dancing and grant presentations totaling $50,000 put back into the community to support youth, cultural enrichment, the elderly, immigrant communities, and healthy living.
The anniversary event, themed, “A Golden Celebration: Honoring 50 Years of Our Friendship, Our Journey, Our Legacy,” highlighted the chapter’s service impact. A total of 10 grant awards were presented to local organizations and partners aligning with their facet work across Services to Youth, The Arts, National Trends and Services, International Trends and Services, and Health and Human Services.
From the chapter’s chartering in 1976 to today, the Hendersonville Area (TN) Links has spent five decades presenting charitable and educational programs that have played an integral part in providing service across Middle Tennessee.
“As we thought about our impact over the past 50 years, we knew we had to do more than just celebrate with a luncheon or gala. We wanted to honor why we were founded and continue dedicating our efforts toward helping better the lives of others,” said Dr. Beth Copperdige, HAC Links president. “While our community has changed since 1976, our commitment to service remains as vital as ever. This milestone is a celebration of every member, partner, donor, and friend who has helped us build a stronger Middle Tennessee.”
Further, the Hendersonville Area Links unveiled its 50th anniversary service project with the Lion’s Club International. With an initial goal to collect a minimum of 50 pairs of eyeglasses to represent 50 years of service, the chapter announced it had collected nearly 200 pairs of eye glasses to support the “Recycle for Sight” program. The eye glasses will be refurbished and distributed to aid international humanitarian optical missions through the Lions Club.
“Turns out, this type of service isn’t completely new for our chapter,” said Kristi F. Lewis, Esq., who led the service project efforts. “We discovered that in 1998, we received the National Eye Health Education Program’s Outstanding Achievement Award for advancing eye and vision research. So, this initiative fell right in line.”
A group of 36 visionary women came together around a bold idea to charter the Hendersonville Area (TN) Links Chapter on August 14, 1976 to meet the growing needs of the city’s most vulnerable communities. Over the years, the chapter established a long-standing legacy and well-recognized reputation for presenting fundraisers showcasing the performing arts in support of community service efforts. Through their signature-branded “Links to Legends” event, the chapter has welcomed dynamic artists and productions that have included such acts as the renowned Alvin Ailey Dance Troupe, trumpeter and composer Wynton Marsalis, Broadway shows “Memphis” and “Motown,” and jazz saxophonist Kirk Whalum, among others.
The chapter manages its signature LEAP program (Links Enhanced Academic Program), in which members volunteer weekly at Robert Churchwell Elementary School’s aftercare program helping to address educational disparities in literacy and technology among K-5 youth. Additionally, the chapter maintains its years of support to Historically Black Colleges and Universities (HBCUs), hosts the annual Chew and Move health festival for middle school students, and presents its “Linking Together for Wellness” webinar series which educates women on health topics such as diabetes, heart health, and menopause, to name a few.
Throughout the years, the Hendersonville Area (TN) Links have received several awards for volunteer efforts and arts programming.
