Wilson County Business Leaders Honor Wilson Rides and Executive Director Gaye Lynn Wilson
LEBANON, Tenn. (February 27, 2023) – Wilson Rides was honored recently by the Mt. Juliet Chamber of Commerce and the Lebanon Wilson County Chamber of Commerce at their annual awards banquets.
Wilson Rides Executive Director Gaye Lynn Wilson was awarded “Wilsonian of the Year” by the Mt. Juliet Chamber of Commerce during the Mt. Juliet Chamber of Commerce Annual Chamber Awards.
Gaye Lynn Wilson Executive Director
The “Wilsonian of the Year” award recognizes an individual or organization that has been instrumental in our efforts to promote unity, cooperation, and collaboration for everyone in Wilson County. This award is presented annually to an individual or organization that has worked hard for everyone in Wilson County. Due to their tireless efforts, each of us has benefited. With three incorporated cities in Wilson County and over 150,000 residents, this individual is charged with keeping our senior community connected and engaged. Few people in Wilson County possess such a vast cross-section of community contacts. With this individual’s leadership, organizational skills, resourcefulness, and passion for service, our Seniors are blessed, as a few others, for this individual’s commitment and passion to our County and for inspiring us to serve others better.
In addition, Wilson Rides was awarded the “Non-Profit of Excellence Award” by the Lebanon Wilson County Chamber of Commerce at the 2023 Annual Membership Meeting & Awards Celebration. This was awarded to the non-profit that has positively influenced the community in 2022 and has made tremendous strides in helping people with their quality of life.
“It was an honor to accept these two awards on behalf of Wilson Rides,” Wilson said. “So many people have contributed to seeing this dream become a reality for our senior citizens in our community. Our driver-volunteers are the heart of our non-profit and they do an amazing job with our riders.”
Wilson started as Executive Director in February of 2021 as the first Executive Director of the non-profit and recently added staff.
In February of 2023, Wilson Rides hired Cathy Rhodes as the new Transportation Coordinator. Rhodes will work with the volunteer drivers on scheduled appointments, among other duties.
Cathy Rhodes Transportation Coordinator
“It’s an honor to have a front-row seat to watch Gaye Lynn Wilson and her volunteers blessing so many senior citizens,” Wilson Rides Board Chair Maggie Lea said. “From doctors’ appointments to rides to the grocery store, Wilson Rides is making a tangible difference every day to so many people.”
Wilson Rides will be celebrating its 3rd Anniversary of being awarded 501c3 non-profit status in April of this year and its 2nd Anniversary of giving rides in May. The inaugural first ride took place on May 25, 2021. It went from Del Webb Lake Providence Senior Living Community to Just Love Cafe in Mount Juliet, where honorary volunteer driver Mark Hinesley of the Mount Juliet Chamber of Commerce drove Mrs. Gloria Wilson to get her favorite coffee. Since that special day in May of 2021, Wilson Rides has given over 587 round trips throughout Wilson County, and volunteer drivers have driven over 29,832 miles collectively.
For more information about Wilson Rides, becoming an Ambassador, or Volunteer Driver, please email Executive Director Gaye Lynn Wilson at gayelynn@wilsonridesinc.org or call 615-622-5557.
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Wilson Rides Inc is a 501(c)3 charitable organization established in 2020 that preserves the quality of life and fosters a connected community for older adults in Wilson County, TN, by providing safe, reliable, affordable, volunteer-driven transportation to local destinations. Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn @wilsonridesinc and our Podcast – Storytime with Wilson Rides. To learn more about Wilson Rides, please visit www.wilsonridesinc.org.