The 6,000 hours that Nashville resident Shirley Caldwell-Patterson put in as a volunteer and champion for clean water were honored today with the nation’s highest volunteerism award.
The President’s Volunteer Service is the highest honor a U.S. President can give a volunteer. 79-year old Patterson is a co-founder of the Cumberland River Compact, an organization that promotes water quality for the Cumberland River and its tributaries.
As a lifelong fly-fisherman Caldwell has put in countless hours cleaning up streams and campaigning for cleaner water.
“Ordinary people are beginning to know that we really have to look after ourselves. And we do it by getting together; we do it by being informed. And it’s not only very constructive, but it’s a lot of fun.”
Today’s ceremony for Patterson also included a $186,000 dollar federal grant for the group she co-founded. The Cumberland River Compact will use the money to train builders and developers to build homes that conserve water and energy.
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