Press Release:
Press Release
News Article February 2005
CHICAGO, Feb. 27 /PRNewswire/ -- For 28 years, Jayne Perkins has led the growth of services for children and adults with disabilities and their families through Easter Seals Tennessee. This week, Ms. Perkins will retire.
Ms. Perkins pioneered creative programs at Easter Seals Tennessee, catering to the unmet needs of the community. She began her career as a camp counselor and camp director before joining Easter Seals senior staff. She was named President and Chief Executive Office in 1985.
Easter Seals President and Chief Executive Officer James E. Williams, Jr. remembers that, "At the time, she took a struggling organization and, with Buddy Killen and a few influential, dedicated volunteers, began to build needed services for people with disabilities."
Perkins created the Easter Seals spinal cord services program and Arthritis Pain Center, both Easter Seals Excellence in Program Innovation Award-winning programs, a summer program for young people at Easter Seals camp and Tennessee's only polio-survivors support group. In 2003, at the request of the State of Tennessee, Easter Seals Tennessee also assumed management of two West Tennessee assisted-living facilities, doubling the number of individuals receiving Easter Seals services in the state.
Buddy Killen, 2005 Nashvillian of the Year and a long-time board member, says that, "Jayne Perkins has been a very dedicated person, who has given a lot of years to a wonderful organization. She's not only given professionally, but personally from the heart."
Board member Anne Boatman, a community volunteer and former manager of programming at TNN, was with Perkins when she produced the first Nashvillian of the Year gala 11 years ago. Boatman echoes Killen's thoughts about Jayne Perkins' leadership, saying "What makes Jayne so special is how she cares about the children and adults with disabilities and their families who come to Easter Seals, and how she cares about the volunteer leaders who give so much to Easter Seals." She adds, "It has been a privilege to share Jayne's passion for her work."
Easter Seals Williams attributes Jayne Perkins' success to her talents, matching her success in creating new services with her passion for raising needed funds to support Easter Seals' work. Perkins was recognized by the national Easter Seals organization for her work in telethon fund raising and for her lead in developing opportunities for major giving. She spearheaded two major capital campaigns to fund building the Easter Seals Turner Family Center and Easter Seals McWhorter Family Center, new facilities that provide health, wellness, inclusive childcare, and therapy services to middle Tennessee for people of all ages.
In addition to her efforts at home, Jayne was a leader among Easter Seals chief executives across the country, sharing her expertise with her colleagues. She chaired both the Southeast Regional CEO association and Easter Seals Leadership Association of 90 affiliate chief executives across the country. In 1992, Perkins received the highest honor given to Easter Seals' affiliate Chief Executive Officers, the Tom B. and Myrtle M. Medders Award for Management Excellence.
Nashville attorney, 2002 Nashvillian of the Year, and former Easter Seals Tennessee board chair Aubrey Harwell reflected, "Remarkable leaders such as Jayne are able to create programs and services that meet the needs of people with disabilities and their families because they are so passionate about their work, and able to engage volunteers who share their dedication. I count myself among this lucky group."
Perkins, herself, says she is proud of her staff, her leadership team, her wonderful volunteer leaders, and the incredible growth of Easter Seals Tennessee. Most of all, Perkins thanks "the people I've met and know through Easter Seals. They've made such a difference and are such a blessing for me."
In a letter sent to Easter Seals friends and donors, Easter Seals Tennessee's board chair Mike Yopp concludes, "Jayne has devoted her life to helping others. We wish her joy and happiness as she enters a new chapter in her life -- enjoying her grandchildren, family trips to the beach, and the satisfaction of knowing that her life's work has made a difference."
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