Empower Me Center is excited to announce that former NFL Superbowl Champion from the Pittsburgh Steelers and famed punter for the University of Tennessee, Craig Colquitt, has accepted the position as 2022 Board Chair for the organization. Colquitt, a Lebanon resident, discovered the nonprofit when passing by their 24.45 acres on South Hartmann Drive (the soon to be home of the Empower Me Center) during their annual Fall Sports Festival.
“I became involved with Empower Me Center when I observed a large number of people playing at the EMC property on my drive home. I was intrigued, so I dropped in and introduced myself to Executive Director, Michelle Hill. After learning about EMC’s mission, values and plans for expansion, I knew this incredible community service was something I wanted to be a part of. There was no question in my mind, I knew their purpose, programming model and goals were a perfect fit for me.” states Colquitt.
Hill shares, “I was absolutely stunned when Craig dropped in on our Fall Sports Festival and asked about our services. I was even more thrilled when I had a follow up email from him before the event was even over asking about how he could help us make the goals of Empower Me Center a reality. I knew immediately that he was going to help lead us into our future.”
Over time, Colquitt attended several activities and committed to the mission by joining the board of directors. Says Colquitt, “I observed the participants thriving and having fun with their friends. The joy in their faces and learning from their parents about the overwhelming need for services for individuals with disabilities in our community fueled my desire to be involved. Having nine grandchildren of my own, the participants at Empower Me Center and their families pulled at my heartstrings.”
Colquitt states, “It is an honor to serve as Chairman of the Board for Empower Me Center. I have participated with numerous nonprofits, but this is the one that has inspired me the most. It is my goal to lead Empower Me toward its DREAM of new facilities, expanded programming and enhanced community integration. It will take strong leadership from our board and a lot of help from our surrounding communities. However, working hard and finding that help is the least we can do for the deserving Empower Me participants, their families, and the entire special needs community.”
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