O’Brien receives Hidden Hero Award
Rotary Club gets into Christmas spirit
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Rotary Club of Farragut public image chair and webmaster Thomas Woodbery, left, presented RCF member Jim O’Brien with the club’s Hidden Hero Award during its meeting in Fox Den Country Club Wednesday, Dec. 3. - Tammy Cheek
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Rotary Club of Farragut member Dr. Joseph Hicks sponsored Dr. Beth Wyss as a new Rotary Club of Farragut member during the club’s meeting in Fox Den Country Club Wednesday, Dec. 3. - Tammy Cheek
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Rotary Club of Farragut president Candace Viox, left, presented a donation to Shepherd of Hope executive director Renee Stone on behalf of the food pantry at the club’s meeting in Fox Den Country Club Wednesday, Dec. 3. - Tammy Cheek
A holiday music performance, honoring a "hidden hero," donating to a local food bank and welcoming a new member sparked the Rotary Club of Farragut's Christmas spirit at its meeting Wednesday, Dec. 4, at Fox Den Country Club.
The meeting began with a performance by Webb School of Knoxville's Madrigal Singers, who performed holiday and humorous music. The club welcomes the singers every December.
Then, ROF president Candace Viox presented Shepherd of Hope Food Pantry executive director Renee Stone with $800 the club raised at its Rotary Reserve Bourbon and Wine Affair fundraiser Oct. 19.
Stone thanked the club and said Shepherd of Hope raised a record amount of food and financial donations in November when people heard about federal SNAP food program cutbacks.
"I am proud to be part of this community," she said.
The club also selected Rotarian Jim O'Brien as the 2025 recipient of its Hidden Hero Award.
O'Brien said he was honored and humbled to be chosen.
Nominated by his daughter, Meghan Jackson, the award recognizes an unsung hero in Knox County who goes out of his or her way to serve others in need.
"The Hidden Hero Award is how we honor individuals in our community who exemplify the Rotary motto of Service Above Self," Viox said.
O'Brien's inspiration to serve others started as a Cub Scout, then continued when he joined the U.S. Air Force, where he had a 27-year career, retiring as a colonel.
After his retirement, O'Brien and his wife, Diane, moved to Farragut in 1994. He formed two companies during the next 30 years before retiring a third time in 2024.
Thomas Woodbery, who organized the Hidden Hero Award and serves as the club's public image chair and webmaster, detailed O'Brien's service record.
“O'Brien volunteered as part of an international team that produced a major grant in 2013 from Rotary International for a public education program for women's breast cancer in Turkey,” Woodbery said. “O'Brien has been an active leader in the mission of his church, serving on pastoral, stewardship and financial councils.
“He has served for years on the board of advisors of Catholic Charities and will soon join the board of The Thrift Shop of Concord United Methodist Church,” Woodbery said.
"Having lived in, served in and traveled in over 70 countries, Jim O'Brien is sensitive to the challenges faced by refugees, which led him to serve for seven years as chairman of Bridge Refugee Services of East Tennessee," Woodbery said.
“O'Brien has been a service leader in the Rotary Club of Farragut for decades. In addition to the health education grant, he was instrumental in forming the club's charitable foundation in 2020. Most recently, O'Brien volunteered at InterFaith Health Center's community open house in Knoxville, assisting veterans in search of dental care.”
Woodbery said the award nomination process was announced in September and was open to the public. The only requirement was that the nominee live or work in Knox County and the service rendered be in Knox County.
The club also welcomed new member Dr. Beth Wyss, who recently joined Epic Orthodontics of Dr. Joseph Hicks, her sponsor into the club.
The club will continue to show its holiday spirit by ringing bells for The Salvation Army on Saturdays, Dec. 14 and Dec. 21, at Kroger, 189 Brooklawn St.
