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.