Big Brothers of Nashville, the “Agency of Last Resort,” is dedicated to helping needy individuals and families by providing emergency assistance, clothing, food, information and referral. Big Brothers History Big Brothers of Nashville was founded in 1912 by two compassionate businessmen who were concerned about the needy of Nashville; it is one of the oldest local charities in Nashville. In the 1920's and 1930's surplus funds allowed the organization to fund other assistance - artifcial teeth, prosthetic limbs, coal, medicine, furniture. Big Brothers furnished Nashville's first two kidney dialysis machines to Vanderbilt Hospital. Until 1955, the organization was entirely volunteer based; in 1955, an office was opened, a staffperson hired and a Board of Directors formed - made up of representatives of civic groups, churches, service organizations and other persons interested in helping the less fortunate. Big Brothers Today Big Brothers has a Board of Directors comprised of community and business leaders, past Big Brothers presidents, and other committed individuals. Our volunteers and advocates represent a genuine cross-section of the Nashville community. Big Brothers’ resources are derived almost entirely from private donations, not government grants; as a result, Big Brothers is able to render help without a great deal of bureaucracy. Big Brothers rendered more than $250,000 in assistance in 2007, helping 2,300 individuals and families. Every year, Big Brothers delivers boxes of food to Nashville’s needy; in 2007, the organization delivered 1,500 boxes of food to poor families. Big Brothers of Nashville administers Project Help, a fund |
Big Brothers 2007-2008 Officers Laura Smith Tidwell, President Mike Castellarin, President Elect Stephanie Smartt Heckman, Vice President Lee Tomberlain, Secretary Charles Bledsoe, Treasurer Gay Levine Eisen, Compliance Officer |
