In recognition of April as Volunteer Appreciation Month, the Book Shelf recognized over forty volunteers at their annual appreciation breakfast Tuesday morning. The Book Shelf is the fundraising arm for the Coffee County Adult Literacy Council and has been described as “a gem of a bookstore in downtown Tullahoma”.

Literacy Council chair Len Houser recognized the council members and council member Donna Rhoton recognized guests including County Mayor Dennis Hunt, Tullahoma Pro Tem Mayor Jerry Mathis, Sheriff Chad Partin, Tennessee regional director of Adult Education Linda Maddox and guest speaker Jim Woodard. Mayor Hunt and Mayor Pro Tem Mathis presented proclamations recognizing the dedicated work of Book Shelf volunteers.

Book Shelf manager Mendy Tant then recognized the volunteers and thanked them for their commitment to the Book Shelf.

Jim Woodard also thanked the Book Shelf volunteers, calling them “wonderful servants” and Literacy Council members thanking them for “helping so many have a chance at life, work and success”.

Mr. Woodard then reminded attendees how Tennessee earned the nickname, The Volunteer State. He also read the definition of a volunteer: Someone who is willing to offer their time, labor, talents and services to another person or organization without expectation of financial rewards. He offered the golden rule of volunteers as ‘putting others first’.

Woodard stressed the benefits of volunteering to the volunteer include the opportunity to meet new people, learning more about the community, the satisfaction of doing something worthwhile for others and maintaining and developing new skills.

The Book Shelf is located at 114 SW Atlantic Street in downtown Tullahoma. Hours are 10am to 4pm Monday thru Friday and 10am to 3pm Saturday.

Lane Curlee can be reached at lcurlee@lighttube. net or 581-0360.