ALEXANDRIA, Va. — Catholic Charities USA (CCUSA) has named Dave Hessling, a passionate volunteer with Catholic Charities of West Tennessee, as its 2025 Volunteer of the Year.
Hessling leads the agency’s Mobile Food Pantry at St. Alphonsus Catholic Church in Covington, Tennessee, ensuring that hundreds of families in need in his rural community have access to nutritious food each week. Hessling is deeply involved in every aspect of the Mobile Food Pantry, coordinating logistics and meticulously tracking complex data and inventory. He recruits, trains and leads volunteers, fostering a sense of unity and purpose within his team.
Hessling is also the driving force behind the expansion of Catholic Charities of West Tennessee’s Tiny Blessings program into Tipton County. This initiative provides essential items like diapers, wipes, clothing, car seats and baby food to low-income families with young children.
“Dave Hessling is a testament to the profound difference that one compassionate, dedicated person can make,” CCUSA President and CEO Kerry Alys Robinson said. “With his extraordinary devotion to his neighbors, Dave spreads throughout his community not only food and critical supplies but hope, joy and a sense of stability to hundreds of families.”
The CCUSA Volunteer of the Year Award, given annually since 1998, is granted to an individual who embodies the mission of CCUSA to provide critical services to those in need, advocate for justice in social structures and call the entire Church and other people of good will to do the same. More than 200,000 people volunteer at Catholic Charities agencies around the country each year, and agencies nominate their most exemplary volunteers for this honor. CCUSA will formally bestow the award on Hessling at its 2025 Annual Gathering in Puerto Rico later this year.
“I’m humbled that my small effort would be recognized in such a wonderful way,” Hessling said. “You see, I know that there are probably tens of thousands of hard-working volunteers across the realm of agencies under the Catholic Charities USA umbrella. I know that in West Tennessee, there are many, many people who give of their time, talent, treasure and love to ensure Catholic Charities of West Tennessee can carry out their vital work. But in my own sphere of influence here in Tipton County, I know that if it wasn’t for the dedicated team of volunteers that come every week in rain and heat and cold to do the hard work of supporting our community outreach ministries, you would never even have heard my name. So, on behalf of all the volunteers who are equally deserving of this award, thank you.”
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