Joe Q. Dougherty Volunteer of the Year

History & Award Recipients

Since our founding in 1955, hundreds of volunteers have come together each year with one purpose in mind: to meet the needs of the community! The consistent, tireless efforts and unified strength of this organization’s volunteers serve as the backbone of each successful fund-raising campaign year after year. The United Way of Hamblen County has recognized the hard work and dedication of its volunteers throughout its existence, but decided to formally honor an individual volunteer each year who exceeds the call of duty, going above and beyond the average expectation.

First presented in 1976, the award is named for Joe Q. Dougherty, a long-time volunteer with us and employee of the award’s original sponsor, American Enka. Dougherty served as President of the “United Fund” (our name for a few years) Board of Directors in 1959 and Campaign Chairman in 1961. We present this award at our Annual Meeting at the culmination of the campaign as a prestigious way to say THANK YOU for all that you do — because we couldn’t do all that WE do without YOU. 

2023 – Larry Swinson

2022 – Kaye Schwalb

2021 – Don Needham

2020 – Deana Greenlee

2019 – Shirley Holt

2018 – Cookie Larkin

2017 – William T. Hale

2016 – Noel Montepeque

2015 – Terry Hackney

2014 – Bill Taylor

2013 – Reuben Couch

2012 – Linda Raley

2011 – Kathleen Grondin

2010 – Brian Robinson

2009 – Paul & Mary Rohe

2008 – Donald C. Rogers

2007 – Mabel Tews

2006 – Eugene Smith

2005 – Jimmy Peoples

2004 – John R. Johnson

2003 – Ann Cranford

2002 – Beulah Looney

2001 – Willie P. Osborne

2000 – Ray Bible

1999 – Marie Williams

1998 – Crampton Helms

1997 – Jeanie Hale

1996 – Paul Lash

1995 – Myrna Marshall

1994 – H.C. House

1993 – Linda Raines

1992 – Herbert M. Bacon

1991 – Judge James E. Beckner

1990 – Catherine B. Scott

1989 – Louis “Smokey” Oats

1988 – Norah E. Hut

1987 – Frances Hale

1986 – Lawrence ‘Larry’ W. Whalen, Jr.

1985 – Rev. Woody Finley

1984 – Darrell Bentley

1983 – Ethelynn A. Rouse

1982 – Joe McGill

1981 – Dr. William J. Rooney

1980 – Mrs. Johnny (Joann) Hale

1979 – George S. Hale, Jr.

1978 – Mrs. Lloyd (Mary) Quick

1977 – Howard Westhaver

1976 – Tom Sutherland