Vietnam Veteran Mike Reeder Celebrated As Hometown Hero

Local veteran Mike Reeder is being honored for his service and love for our country in big ways this month. With Veteran's Day on 11.11.11, he'll spend the morning with the fourth graders at Oakview Elementary sharing his story and being celebrated for his service. Mike has also been chosen as the November Darrell Waltrip Automotive Hometown Hero.

Reeder lost both of his legs in Vietnam, but he "hasn't let that slow him down", according to Earl Hensel, an acquaintance of Reeder's, and supporter of Outward Bound, an organization that assists returning disabled veterans in coping with life in America and the sponsor of the nomination for his Hometown Hero award.

Now retired he is known as an accomplished golfer, recently being featured in an ESPN report chronicling his journey to play on the old course at St. Andrews, and shooting a 79 while there.

"When we received Mike's nomination the decision to honor him was a no-brainer. He is a hero to not only our local community, but a hero to our nation", said John Gallagher, General Manager of Darrell Waltrip Automotive.

As a part of the Hometown Hero award $500 will be donated in his honor to Mike's charity of choice- Challenged Athletes Foundation, the non-profit who sent Mike and his wife to Scotland to play at St. Andrews.

Darrell Waltrip Automotive's Hometown Heroes is a monthly event honoring Middle Tennessee residents who have made a positive impact on their community. Nominate your hero at http://www.darrellwaltrip.com/.

25th Anniversary Celebration

Join Darrell Waltrip Automotive on Saturday, October 8 from 11:00am to 2:00pm at 1430 Murfreesboro Road, as they thank the community for making their last twenty-five years of business a success!

“Our hope has always been to invest in the community the way the community has invested in us,” says General Manager, John Gallagher. “This event is our way of saying thank you to the residents of Williamson County and the surrounding area for supporting us for 25 years.”

The free community celebration and lunch will be held in the parking lot of the Honda showroom, complemented by local nonprofit partners hosting activities for families. Monroe Carell Jr. Children’s Hospital at Vanderbilt is teaming up with Trace Bikes to provide children ages 6-12 with a Bicycle Safety Rodeo. Mercy Children’s Clinic will be hosting carnival games with prizes, the Franklin Family YMCA is providing bounce houses, and there will be music on-site. Snow Ball Heaven has been invited to give out snow-cones, and there will be police cars and fire trucks to explore.

The community is invited to come and celebrate, free of charge. For more information visit http://www.darrellwaltrip.com.

Evelyn Hickerson named DWA Hometown Hero for August

Left: Cathy Buchanan & Right: Evelyn Hickerson accept a grant from Middle Tennessee Electric Membership Corporation (MTEMC)
To inspire and impact the lives of both children and adults is a quality that most people only hope to attain. This month, Darrell Waltrip Automotive’s Hometown Hero award goes to one woman who has successfully attained this level of influence. For her compassion toward educating and inspiring individuals of all ages and backgrounds, Evelyn Hickerson is named the Hometown Hero this August.

Evelyn Hickerson has been teaching for over 30 years, currently teaching at Johnson Elementary School in Franklin. In the summer of 2010 she started Gentry’s Educational Foundation in honor of her parents, James and Josephine Gentry. Using the money left to her upon their passing, she and her husband Robert started the foundation to give children in Franklin the opportunity to enrich their lives through education, support, and mentoring.

Gentry’s Summer Camp is offered at no cost to elementary age students from diverse backgrounds. It includes reading, math, technology, fitness, science, creative arts, and character education classes taught by teachers from Johnson Elementary. The one-month camp has had an extremely high success rate. Since their start in the summer of 2010, they have already doubled in size.

“This is all of Evelyn’s heart,” says close friend, coworker, and partner in expanding Gentry’s Foundation programs, Cathy Buchanan. “Her drive, her will, and her never giving up…she really is an angel here on Earth.”

In May, Cathy Buchanan heard about Darrell Waltrip Automotive’s Hometown Heroes campaign. She spread the word to her coworkers at Johnson Elementary School, inspiring nearly 30 nominations for Mrs. Evelyn Hickerson – the most nominations for one individual thus far in the Hometown Heroes campaign. Together the teachers shared compelling stories as to why Mrs. Hickerson should be a DWA Hometown Hero.

“Her generous spirit is providing for children that might not have other places to be for summer, children who need remediation to have success in school, and those who need the support of caring adults as mentors.” -Jan Cochran, former principal of JES

“She has a way of making everyone she comes into contact with, coworkers and students feel special and loved.” -Erin Lefkovitz.

“Evelyn is a tireless champion for children.” - Venetia Henry

“Helping children is her love, and she is ours!” - Colleen Hooper

“She has encouraged and helped many younger teachers in reaching their goals as educators. She inspires many and makes sure that all children have the opportunity to learn.” -Dinah Wade.

“Everyone that Mrs. Hickerson touches is a better person after knowing this incredible women! She goes out of her way for children every day and gives hope to so many people.” – Bethany Wiseman

“Her love for children to do their best and us to give them our best makes her my hometown hero.” -Deborah Willett.

An assembly will be held in Mrs. Hickerson’s honor in October and will include performances by her students and a check presentation for Gentry’s Educational Foundation from DWA. To learn more about the foundation, visit www.gentryseducationalfoundation.com.

Darrell Waltrip Automotive’s Hometown Heroes is a monthly event honoring Middle Tennessee residents who have made a positive impact on their community. Nominate your hero at www.darrellwaltrip.com. If you have been inspired by this story to get involved in your community, please visit www.givingmatters.com.

Kenny Lane Awarded as July's Hometown Hero

July's Hometown Hero award goes to Kenny Lane, former Fire Chief of Brentwood, for serving such a vital role in the development of Brentwood’s Fire Department and for his dedication to bettering his entire community.

Kenny Lane has served the Fire Department from the beginning of its inception in 1986. Since 1993, he has led the department as the Fire Chief, retiring from the department on June 30th of this year.

Mary Phillips, the President of the Brentwood Woman’s Club, nominated Kenny Lane as Darrell Waltrip Automotive’s Hometown Hero. In honor of his retirement, they purchased a Rehab Emergency Trailer to use for disasters and emergency situations in the Middle Tennessee area.

Lane has chosen to give the $500 donation by Darrell Waltrip Automotive to a non-profit organization that he has a high regard for, the Tennessee Baptist Children’s Home of Brentwood. “I am honored to be able to do this for such a worthy organization that has done so much for their community,” says Lane. “They have helped so many kids who have had a rough start.” Kenny has been involved with Tennessee Baptist Children’s Home throughout his career with the city of Brentwood and through his association with the Rotary Club.

About Tennessee Baptist Children’s Homes
Tennessee Baptist Children's Homes, Inc, a non-profit organization founded in 1891, is a ministry of the churches of the Tennessee Baptist Convention, which provides residential care to children. Thousands of children in Tennessee suffer the pain and loneliness of a family in crisis. TBCH cares for approximately 200 of these children each year who find themselves without a place to call home due to family crisis. All children are accepted regardless of race, creed, or socio-economic background. They have six campuses across Tennessee and the Houses of Healing and Hope in Brentwood care for the single parents and their children.

Williamson County American Red Cross Donation

Darrell Waltrip Honda is donating $1 for every new follower on Facebook/Twitter to the Williamson County chapter of the American Red Cross.

If you haven't become a fan of Darrell Waltrip Honda, follow the links below to get started!

Dr. David Vanderpool Named June Hometown Hero

Pictured: Dr. Vanderpool and his son David working on-site in Ghana.
In honor of Father’s Day, Dr. David Vanderpool was selected as Darrell Waltrip Automotive’s Hometown Hero for the month of June.

Vanderpool was nominated by his son for his passion to improve the lives of others. “I have been profoundly influenced by my father and his selfless giving, and am grateful that others see him as the hero that I know him to be,” says son, David Stalling Vanderpool. From Ghana, Haiti, Honduras, and Mozambique to New Orleans, Alabama and Nashville, Vanderpool works to build the infrastructure to combat global poverty and devotes his time and talents toward worldwide disaster relief.

In 2005 he founded Mobile Medical Disaster Relief (MMDR), an international non-profit that works to serve the destitute in areas left impoverished by natural disasters and human oppression. The $500 donation from Darrell Waltrip Automotive will go toward MMDR’s next campaign, which aims to provide medical care and clean water projects in Ghana to leverage the release of children from slavery.

Darrell Waltrip Automotive’s Hometown Heroes is a monthly event honoring Middle Tennessee residents who have made a positive impact on their community. Nominate your hero at www.darrellwaltrip.com. If you are inspired by this story and would like to get involved in your community, please visit http://www.givingmatters.com/.

About MMDR
MMDR uses medicine, community development, and micro-enterprise to help fulfill the medical needs of vulnerable and under-served people in the United States and throughout the world. MMDR continues to aid Haiti’s post-earthquake recovery, taking monthly medical teams into the neediest areas, providing free medical care and partnering with communities for development. In the US, following the devastation of the Tuscaloosa, AL tornado, MMDR was quick to respond with medical supplies, food and water. MMDR has programs in 14 countries and is constantly expanding to encompass the growing effects of global poverty. For more information, please visit http://www.mmdr.org/.

Darrell Waltrip Automotive Honors Mary Beth Gates

Full-time mother & volunteer named May Hometown Hero

L to R: Darrell Waltrip, Mary Beth Gates (Volunteer Accountant, High Hopes & Hometown Hero of the month), John Gallagher (General Manager, DWA), Holly Beth Roach (Fund Development Coordinator, High Hopes), Sallie Vanhoose (Executive Assistant to ED, High Hopes)

On Tuesday May 17, Darrell Waltrip Automotive honored their second Hometown Hero, Mary Beth Gates of Nashville. In the spirit of Mother’s Day, she was recognized for her inspiring approach to community service as a full-time mother and volunteer.

After leaving HCA in 2006, Mary Beth became High Hopes’ Volunteer Accountant, volunteering approximately 552 hours annually. “Mary Beth goes above and beyond the day-to-day accounting duties necessary for High Hopes to function,” says Fund Development Coordinator, Holly Beth Roach. What began with a complete reorganization and restructuring of their financial system has now become a full-time position. Mary Beth consults with the Board of Directors, prepares and presents reports, pitches in at fundraisers, and is an advocate in the community for the organization.

Above all, Mary Beth spends her time away from volunteer work with her child. As a mother of a child with special needs, Mary Beth has a special connection with High Hopes. It’s no surprise that she chose the $500 donation by Darrell Waltrip Automotive to go toward High Hopes: an Inclusive Preschool and Pediatric Therapy Clinic with a mission to equip children and youth with the skills necessary to achieve success through education, rehabilitation, and loving support. To learn more, visit www.highhopesnash.org.

As a thank you for Mary Beth’s continued service, she received a relaxing weekend get-away complimentary of Aloft Hotel of Cool Springs.
Darrell Waltrip Automotive’s Hometown Heroes is a monthly event honoring Middle Tennessee residents who have made a positive impact on their community. Nominate your hero at www.darrellwaltrip.com. If you have been inspired by this story to get involved in your community, please visit www.givingmatters.com.

LifeFlight Lands at Darrell Waltrip Automotive

Here's the video Vanderbilt LifeFlight put together on Darrell Waltrip Automotive's Van Donation- it's fantastic!!



From Vanderbilt LifeFlight: Vanderbilt LifeFlight is proud to deliver equipment back to EMS agencies in an effort to assist them maintain proper levels of the life saving equipment and save money on lost equipment. Our equipment return program is made possible thanks the generous donation of a van by Darrell Waltrip Automotive Group in Franklin, Tenn. Watch as LifeFlight lands at Darrell Waltrip to celebrate their donation. Several emergency agencies from Lincoln, Williamson, and Davidson Counties were present for the ribbon cutting ceremony.

Darrell Waltrip Automotive Announces First Hometown Hero

(Left to Right: Eva Barker, Michael Barker, R.H. Barker, & Darrell Waltrip)
Franklin, Tenn. – April 13th marks the announcement of Hometown Hero, Robert Houston Barker of Franklin. In February, Darrell Waltrip Automotive kicked off their Hometown Heroes campaign to highlight everyday heroes in Middle Tennessee, and the first hero has been chosen!


Anne Frances describes her grandfather as a man of “great faith, honesty, family values and professional etiquette.” Barker has rightfully earned his hero status and his story deserves to be shared.


A fifth generation Williamson County resident, Barker recently celebrated his ninety-first birthday. A man of service throughout his lifetime, Barker served in WWII in the 5th Armored Division.


At the Elbe River, Barker’s battalion liberated nearly 1,000 prisoners of war on April 12, 1945. One of the POWs liberated, Bate Southall, later proved to be a childhood friend of Barker’s. They spent their youth together in Burwood and both now reside in Middle Tennessee.


Home from the war, Barker and his wife Eva Mae Davidson opened Western Auto on Main Street in 1948, serving Middle Tennessee residents for a total of 32 years. Ann Frances and her father Jerry reminisce about their Christmases spent in the Barker household and the joys shared opening Christmas presents after the shop closed for the holidays. “Every year - even after getting home late - at least one person would call who forgot their layaway and Daddy would go back to the store so they had their Christmas,” says Robert’s son, Jerry. The store provided many residents their first lines of credit, bicycles, baseball gloves and more.


Throughout his lifetime, Robert’s service in his community has stretched beyond taking care of his customers at Western Auto. Barker was a long-time member and former president of the Franklin Lions Club. This month Barker has chosen to give the $500 donation from Darrell Waltrip Automotive to the Franklin Lions Club, a service organization known for working to end preventable blindness. “The Franklin Lions Club acknowledges with great appreciation this donation that will help us continue to serve others,” says current President, Joy Chapman.

(Left to Right: Williamson County Trustee Joey Davis, Franklin Lions Club President Joy Chapman, Michael Barker, R.H. Barker, and Eva Barker)

Darrell Waltrip Automotive’s Hometown Heroes is a monthly event honoring Middle Tennessee residents who have made a positive impact on their community. Nominate your hero at www.darrellwaltrip.com. If you have been inspired by this story to get involved in your community, visit www.givingmatters.com to learn about other non-profits in your area and ways to support a cause dear to your heart.

DARRELL WALTRIP AUTOMOTIVE GOES GREEN: Dealership Becomes First Live Green Partner of Its Kind

Darrell Waltrip Automotive, inspired by the City of Franklin’s movement to encourage businesses to go green will be the city’s first Automotive Live Green Partner. Taking the lead as a Platinum member, they have made the commitment to implement a culture of sustainability within the workplace.

“Helping Franklin become more sustainable is a community-wide effort and we are thankful that Darrell Waltrip Automotive is taking the lead in their industry,” stated Andrew Orr, Sustainability Coordinator of the City of Franklin.

The decision to become a Live Green Partner came from their investment in the Middle Tennessee community. In the past ten years, Darrell Waltrip Automotive has invested half of a million dollars toward philanthropic outreach, supporting organizations such as Habitat for Humanity, Mercy Children’s Clinic and the American Red Cross.

“The biggest mantra behind going green is this: reduce, reuse, recycle,” says Jamie Putnam, Volvo-Subaru Parts Manager, who has led the green initiative at the dealership. They reached the platinum level by reducing their energy use through the installation of Energy Star CFL lighting in all four showrooms, reusing the plastic seat covers for vehicles being serviced, and having their scrap tires picked up weekly to be reused in playgrounds. “In the future we will look at doing even more,” says Putnam.

From restaurants to retail stores, more than 100 businesses in Franklin have made the commitment to promote sustainable operations in the work place by becoming a Live Green Partner. To learn more about sustainable practices in Franklin visit www.franklin-gov.com/index.aspx?page=463.

Darrell Waltrip Automotive is a premier Honda, Volvo, & Subaru car dealership near Nashville in Franklin, Tennessee (TN). Specializing in Honda, Volvo, and Subaru Sales, Finance, Service, and Parts, Darrell Waltrip Automotive provides high quality service to its customers. Located at 1430 Murfreesboro Road in Franklin TN, Darrell Waltrip Automotive extends its services to nearby areas throughout Middle Tennessee. For more information, please visit our website, www.darrellwaltrip.com.

Tips for Saving Money on Gas

I’m not sure about you- but every time I have to fill up my car with gas, I cringe. Every day, gas prices seem to increase, and the overall increase from March 2010 to March 2011 is staggering.

With little relief at the pump in sight, we wanted to bring you some tips for getting more bang for your buck at the pump.

One of the first things you can do to reduce the number of trips to the gas station is to watch how aggressive you drive. Make sure you’re not reliving your drag-racing days when intersection lights turn green. Take off slowly from a full stop- it’s a very minor adjustment to your driving, but it can have a huge impact on your gas mileage. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, “aggressive driving can lower your gas mileage by 33% on the highway and 5% around town”.

Accelerating and braking slowly can really make a difference on your wallet. Traffic congestion around Nashville and the surrounding areas is notoriously bad- and while idling at some point on I-65 or one of the other highways is guaranteed, it doesn’t have to drain your gas tank.

Our second tip is to slow down! Did you know that most vehicles get the greatest fuel efficiency between 45MPH and 55MPH?

This chart shows that fuel efficiency actually DECREASES for speeds in excess of 60MPH.

According to the U.S. Department of Energy, “each 5 mph you drive over 60 mph is like paying an additional $0.24 per gallon for gas”. Slowing down can make a big difference on the number of trips you make to the pump each month.

Darrell Waltrip Automotive wins 2010 Sizzle Award for Best Auto Dealership

The 2010 Sizzle Award, sponsored by FranklinIs.com and Southern Exposure Magazine, recognized Darrell Waltrip Automotive as the Best Automotive Dealership in Williamson County.

Darrell Waltrip Automotive has won the award for Best Auto Dealership annually since 2007.

The Sizzle Awards recognize outstanding local businesses in a number of categories, including services, cuisines, shopping, personal care, home, and more throughout Williamson County.

The awards were presented at the 5th Annual Sizzle Awards Banquet, hosted by Harry Chapman, at Jamison Hall in The Factory at Franklin on March 7, 2011.

This was the fifth year for the Sizzle Awards, the online community poll for Williamson County presented by Southern Exposure Magazine and FranklinIs.com.

Thank you to everyone who voted for Darrell Waltrip Automotive!

LifeFlight Partners With Darrell Waltrip Automotive to Offer New Service to EMS

Nashville (Tenn.) - Ambulance services that come to Nashville hospitals from outlying counties often have to return home leaving valuable equipment behind that is still being used to stabilize patients.

Spine boards, straps and head immobilization devices are just some of the thousands of pieces of equipment left at Nashville area emergency departments. Getting this equipment back is often challenging and the loss of equipment can be quite expensive for ambulance services.

Vanderbilt LifeFlight will soon begin delivering equipment back to EMS agencies in an effort to assist them maintain proper levels of the life-saving equipment and save money on lost equipment.

Thanks to the generous donation of a van by Darrell Waltrip Automotive Group in Franklin, Tenn., Dana Keele, EMT, outreach liaison, will be making regular equipment delivery rounds to counties in the LifeFlight service area.

“We are very excited to begin this new program and appreciate the assistance from Darrell Waltrip Automotive Group in helping make this happen,” said Jeanne Yeatman, RN., EMT, director of LifeFlight.

"Darrell Waltrip Automotive is proud to be able to provide a van to assist Vanderbilt LifeFlight in their life-saving work in the Nashville and surrounding areas," said John Gallagher, General Manager, Darrell Waltrip Honda-Volvo-Subaru. “This donation is a continued example of Darrell Waltrip Automotive's commitment to the community. Over the past 10 years we have been able to invest more than half a million dollars into Nashville area non-profits and are pleased to continue to do so."
Initially the effort will focus on returning more than 300 pieces of equipment currently at Vanderbilt and once this is done, LifeFlight will pick up and return equipment left at other Nashville hospitals.

“We are excited that Vanderbilt is providing this service. Currently we have to send a part-time employee to Nashville at least once a week to retrieve equipment that EMS crews were unable to bring back at the time of their transport. This will allow us to utilize this employee more effectively with other tasks”, said Keith Douglas, director of Sumner County EMS. “I believe this is yet another great example of Vanderbilt's dedication to the EMS community and they are a tremendous partner for Sumner County EMS.”

Chad Graham, director of Bedford County EMS, agreed.

“Bedford EMS is excited to see Vanderbilt LifeFlight taking a proactive role in dealing with equipment recovery,” Graham said. “With limited funds available to serve our communities, this service will make a positive impact in our system.”

Another EMS provider located south of Nashville, said the new program will allow his ambulances to return back to their service area faster.
“We are 85 miles from Nashville and it will make our turnaround time faster not having to retrieve equipment,” said Richard Wright, director of Lincoln Medical Center EMS.

Agencies that have special needs or urgent requests can e-mail EMSEquipment@vanderbilt.edu. Once the initial equipment is returned, a regular schedule will be established so that EMS agencies can anticipate the day each week their equipment will arrive.

“This is a milestone in our customer service efforts and a fantastic way to show the hard working EMS professionals that we are proud to be a part of their team,” said Brent Lemmonds, MS, RN, EMT-P, FACHE, administrative director of Emergency Services.

Vanderbilt is the only hospital in Middle Tennessee to offer personal delivery service.




Part 1 of 3 of the presentation!

Darrell Waltrip Automotive Kicks Off Hometown Heroes Program

February 15, 2011 marked the start of Darrell Waltrip Automotive’s Hometown Heroes program.  Each month, Darrell Waltrip Automotive will recognize one hero and make a $500 donation to a charity of their choice. Additionally, all heroes will also receive a special prize package as recognition of their own hero status.

We kicked off our new program with the Williamson County Chamber of Commerce after-hours mixer, which included hearty h'or duerves and beverages from local vendors, including Franklin’s Bunganot Pig, Constant Craving Caterers, & Moon Wine & Spirits.  Shuff’s Music & Piano showroom donated a baby grand piano for the event.  Additionally, coffee was provided by Beve Mobile Coffee.  We would like to thank all of our vendors, including VIP Williamson County Magazine and Williamson Herald for their participation!

If you would like to nominate your local Middle Tennessee hero, please visit Darrell Waltrip Automotive’s Hometown Heroes website and submit your nomination!

Thank you again to all of our vendors and attendees- what a great event!