Congratulations to our very own youth programs coordinator, Shaquawana Wester, for her continued volunteer work with her project Quawana’s Coats as part of National Make a Difference Day, which is sponsored by the Gannett Co, USA Today, Newman’s Own and Points of Light.

Three years ago, what started as a small community coat drive to help anyone in need turned into a huge success. Shaquawana submitted her project to the Make a Difference Day contest and was one of 10 national winners. With support of the community and volunteers, Shaquawana has continued to grow Quawana’s Coats each year. This year, Shaquawana was selected as the only nationwide All Star Make a Difference Day Award winner from hundreds of submissions. Shaquawana recently traveled to Washington, D.C., to be recognized and to accept the $10,000 award on behalf of our 501(c)3 non-profit, Cookeville Housing Services Corporation. She plans to use the award to establish Quawana’s Closet for Teens Need Training and for this year’s Quawana’s Coats, which will be held on Saturday, Oct. 24.