Ashley Boyd's journey with the Committee on Church Cooperation (CCC) had a challenging start, stepping into an organization grappling with financial difficulties. However, her leadership as executive director over the past four years has been transformative. Despite the initial hurdles, the CCC continues to provide vital support to thousands of families annually, offering essential resources like food, clothing, access to medical care and more. Boyd aspires for the CCC to evolve into a comprehensive community resource. "My goal for the CCC is to become what the community needs us to be," said Boyd.

Diane Nelms' journey comes full circle, as the very nonprofit she now supports, once helped her as a mother unable to provide Christmas gifts for her children. While she works part-time during the nonprofit's busiest season in December, the rest of the year is spent volunteering at the Salvation Army and Community Action Partnership. Driven by a deep passion for community service, she sums it up saying, "I stay busy. My grandma told me if you stay busy, you'll never get old."

Jeff Sharp, the Director of Everyday Sunshine, is on a mission to foster inclusivity for those with disabilities. Since 2012, Sharp has been orchestrating concerts, shows, and establishing a thrift store that not only serves the community but provides employment opportunities for individuals with disabilities. His passion doesn't stop there -- Sharp is currently spearheading the creation of an all-inclusive park, right beside the thrift store. His daughter, who was born with a rare brain disorder, fuels his determination to create a world that embraces everyone.

Today, Jessica Burch is dedicated to making a positive impact in the community and she owes it all to her former job, the Centers for Developmentally Disabled (CDD). Her role as the office manager and realtor at MeritHouse Realty & Capital Management keeps her busy, but she also actively volunteers and serves on several boards, including the Morgan County Child Advocacy Center, the Downtown Decatur Merchant and Business Association, the Morgan County Association of REALTORS, and the CDD. One friend noted, "Ms. Burch is passionate about serving the community, as well as supporting and being a voice for the most vulnerable members of our community."

It's not about providing a piece of furniture for John Jackson, the Hartselle Chapter President of Sleep Heavenly Peace. He explains that the nonprofit's focus is about providing a tangible item to children who may not have a bed they can claim as their own. Since 2018, he and a team of volunteers have delivered almost 1,500 handmade, wooden beds in the community. They service kids ages 3 to 17, living in and around Morgan County. Jackson said, "One of our guys, Beau Goss, he was with us one day, [when] we put a bed in a home. The guys, the little boys, they helped us. They wanted us to stay for dinner. They didn't want us to leave. Well then, a few weeks later, [Goss] was at his daughter's school, and this little boy just came up, just gave him a big hug. [Goss] didn't realize who he was until he kind of separated and looked at him. It was one of those brothers from that home and that kid recognized him. Beau was like 'you know you're making a difference, [because] it took me a minute, but they knew who I was right then.'"

Jim Arndt, RPh. has been volunteering as a licensed pharmacist at the Community Free Clinic for more than 19 years! Thanks to his dedication he has impacted countless lives here in Morgan County. 

Shericka Ricks is the Teen Director at the 3rd Street Boys and Girls Club in Decatur. She has a passion for empowering teenagers to set goals and to achieve them. Ricks sees every child's potential and isn't afraid to push them to overcome obstacles.

As we close out the year, there is no better person to recognize as a Game Changer than Lynn Fowler! He foes not say no to projects and initiatives that better our community. Throughout his life, Fowler has worked tirelessly to seize opportunities that make a difference.

October is Domestic Violence Awareness Month, and we'd like to give a huge shout out to our partners at Crisis Services of North Alabama. Maria Sanchez, SyRhonda Smith and Sharita Jenkins are three team members at CSNA, who dedicate their careers to advocate and provide services to families and individuals who are victims of domestic violence.

* CSNA is a United Way Partner Agency. When you invest in United Way of Morgan County, your gift ensures domestic violence victims receive high quality, trauma-informed, comprehensive services.

George Mills was a true America hero, and we are proud to honor him as April's Game Changer.

If you know Betty Sims, you'll understand why she was selected as a Game Changer!

She has truly moved the needle in our community.

Watch the video, and find out how she preserves local history through art.

When Morgan Brannon saw a problem in the world, she took action and created change for the better. She is the true definition of a Game Changer.

Watch the video, and find out how this local Girl Scout (and now Auburn student) created a small business that continues to provide educational support to girls in the Congo.

Amanda Godsey, and her two daughters, Olivia Gillette and Sloan Sittason, use their time, talent and treasure every day to impact the youth of our community.

These three Hartselle City Schools educators are everyday heroes, and we're proud to honor them as Game Changers in Morgan County.

Ms. Etta Freeman is the very definition of a Game Changer.

Celebrating her 104th birthday in July 2021, she is wealth of knowledge and wisdom wrapped in a fiery package. Her enthusiasm for life is infectious.

She has a heart for helping people. She begins her days with a smile and one thing on her mind, "Who can I help today?" As an educator, Ms. Freeman took care of her students, and nurtured them as her own. She would sew clothes for those who had none, and made sure that her students had what they needed to learn.

We are proud to honor Ms. Etta Freeman as a Game Changer in this community.

The Game Changer Award is designed to honor hometown heroes who are tirelessly working to make Morgan County a better place, largely without recognition. Margaret MacIlveen was one such hero. Margaret MacIlveen was a Game Changer in the lives of so many foster children and foster families throughout Morgan County. Her passion was legendary and her kindness unrivaled.