The Rotary Club of Farragut named Farrell Levy its 2024 recipient of the Hidden Hero Award on Wednesday, November 13, at Fox Den Country Club. The prestigious award recognizes and uplifts the good work the club feels is deserving of high praise. Recipients are selected from a group of individuals who go above and beyond in their efforts and service to the Knox County area day in and day out.
“This is our way to honor individuals in our community who exemplify the Rotary motto of Service Above Self,” said Scott Bertini, president of the Rotary Club of Farragut.
The club was established in 1980, and is currently composed of more than 70 men and women, ranging from business owners to community leaders. The group is dedicated to the community by participating and leading the way in community service through volunteerism and financial support. Globally, Rotary as an organization has around 1.2 million members, including Levy, that share that same mindset.
Levy is a Farragut native and a partner at the McDonald, Levy and Taylor law firm, with experience trying cases at every level of the court system. When he’s not working, he’s volunteering at his passion project, The Dream Connection. Levy is a founder of the organization, which is a volunteer-run program here in Tennessee that fulfills wishes of children with life-threatening or life-altering conditions. His peers in every field have high praise for his work.
“Farrell has been a key leader since we were formed. Thanks to his involvement, we have provided 1,100 dreams for children in East Tennessee,” said Beth Milam, board president of The Dream Connection.
The Dream Connection was first established in 1985, by a group of East Tennessee Children’s Hospital volunteers who felt obligated to listen to the wishes of children in the hope of making those dreams come true. Each year, they present and aid in fulfilling the wishes of anywhere from 20 to 70 children.
The process for selection of the Hidden Hero award was open to the public, with the only prerequisite being that the recipient and their work both originate in the Knox County area. Levy was nominated for the award by Don Ball, who in his nomination stated that “Farrell was instrumental in the formation of The Dream Connection in 1985 and has been a mentor and guide for a lot of people for 40 years.”
Adam Delahoussaye is a freelance writer for the KnoxTNToday who loves telling stories about music, arts and culture in and around his hometown. Have a story for Adam? He can be reached at email or text 865-919-5059 with your story idea.
