MARK MCGEE
Staff Writer
Volunteerism is the self-less act of helping others instead of helping yourself without any expectation of pay.
Brandi Smith, who works at Jack Daniel Distillery, has spent much of her life supporting the Bedford County Fair. If that wasn’t enough, she also is involved in several ways with the local VFW Auxiliary.
For her efforts Brandi has received the Tennessee Governor’s Volunteer Stars Award. Smith was honored this month for her work in Bedford County.
Brandi stresses she is drawn to being able to be of service to others rather than seeking recognition for herself.
“I try to take myself out of it,” Brandi said. “Helping others is what makes me feel good.”
The award recognizes Tennessee’s exceptional volunteers who are making a lasting impact in their communities through volunteering and community service. Participating counties lead a local process to select honorees and inspire people of all ages to get involved and make a difference in their communities.
There are four key criteria to be used for selecting GVSA nominees based on the website:
- Need: The nominee’s service addresses a specific, compelling need in the community.
- Action: The nominee was actively involved and took initiative.
- Innovation: The nominee used unique or creative methods to solve community problems.
- Impact: The activity or service produced positive changes and provided an example to others.
Brandi fulfills all four of those criteria. She admits many people ask her how she manages to work on her job 40 hours a week and still find time to serve as a volunteer in so many areas.
“People ask me all the time how do I do all the stuff that I do outside of work,” Brandi said. “I probably spend more time in my volunteerism than my 40-hour work week.”
Volunteerism is a family trait for Brandi. Her mother, Jeri Lynn Smith was director of the Bedford County Fairest of the Fair pageant. Eventually, Brandi took over the role. Both she and her mother serve on the board of directors for the award-winning fair.
“It all started with my mother,” Brandi said. “I saw that she was making a difference in the community and I wanted to make a difference in the community.
“My sister, Ashley Smith Williams, was always in the Fairest of the Fair pageant and the year my sister won in 2006 was the last year for that chairman to be in charge. My mom didn’t want to see it go away so she took it over. She brought me in to run the pageant when she became part of the board and got involved more with the fair.”
But the volunteerism goes far beyond the days of the fair. All year there are meetings for the different events with applications to be processed and plans to be implemented.
“I take a week of vacation from my work for the fair,” Brandi said. “There is also a lot of behind the scenes work.
“There are all the other times when I get off work during the year to go straight to a meeting or straight to an event. I have several events throughout the year I help organize and facilitate – the youth board for the fair, the Farm to Table Dinner, the Miss Sweetheart pageant in February and the Century Farms breakfast. During the fair I help my mom at the crafts fair.The Bedford County Fair has continued to grow each year and Brandi credits all the volunteers for their tireless efforts.
“We have great board members who are all dedicated,” Brandi said. “We all work hard all year long.”
Brandi was interested in the VFW after one of her sons, Dylan Collins, joined the Air Force and is on active duty. But it was the service of her grandfathers, Freddie Wheeler who was in the Navy and Jim Bob Smith who was in the Army that qualified her for membership in the auxiliary for Post 5019.
“I was looking for a way to be a part of some type of military connection,” Brandi said. I just recently joined. I know the Commander Tommie Boleyn and his wife, Tara. You have to have certain qualifications to be in the auxiliary and my grandfather, Jim Bob, is a Korean War veteran. That is how I became a part of it.
“I have been helping with the breakfasts. When people attend the breakfasts I know the money is going back to an organization that is close to me.”
The Farm to Table Dinner is one of her favorite events.
“People who come and support that learn about local agriculture, “Brandi said. To have a meal they don’t have to go to the grocery store. There are people in the community raising these animals and growing these vegetables. They need our support.”
In this day and time when so many say they are too busy to help out, Brandi is there to lend her support.
“Volunteering has always been a part of my life,” Brandi said. “It is a lot, but I enjoy doing it. I makes you feel good to be doing stuff others will benefit from it. I want to know I am doing something for my community.”
