Homeowner Jennie Laster (c) is joined by Hands On Nashville CEO Brian N. Williams and The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee CEO Ellen Lehman.

Seven volunteers made energy-efficient upgrades to a flood-damaged home recently as part of Hands On Nashville’s Home Energy Savings Program. The Program aims to improve the energy efficiency, comfort and safety of North and East Nashville homes occupied by low-income homeowners.

With the support of The River Fund of The Community Foundation of Middle Tennessee, T&T Family Foundation and others, Hands On Nashville is adapting this program to improve 294 homes owned and occupied by flood survivors in 2012 and beyond. So far this year, 25 flood-damaged homes have been completed.

“The response to the 2010 flood is a remarkable demonstration of the power of volunteerism, and that service and enthusiasm continue today,” said Brian Williams, president/CEO of Hands On Nashville. “Long-term flood recovery programs like the Home Energy Savings Program give volunteers the opportunity to address critical needs, while gaining valuable skills they can apply to their own homes.”

Since the Program’s launch in 2011, the return on investment has been significant. With an investment of $2,500 per home, homeowners benefit annually from an average $780 in energy cost savings, 7,800 kilowatt hours saved and 11,700 pounds of carbon saved.

The Home Energy Savings Program is one of three innovative Hands On Nashville programs focused on long-term recovery and community building in neighborhoods throughout Nashville after the historic 2010 flood.

The other two programs include the Nashville Waterway Recovery and Restoration Project, which aims to assess, clean up and restore Davidson County waterways to pre-flood conditions, and Hands On Nashville’s Urban Farm, which aims to engage volunteers creating a healthier, more sustainable food system in Nashville.

Community members interested in getting involved with any of these three programs can learn more at www.HON.org or by calling 615-298-1108.

Since May 3, 2010, more than 29,000 volunteers have donated 375,000-plus hours to participate in flood-related volunteer programming coordinated by HON and its rebuilding partners, adding up to a projected economic impact of more than $8.2 million, according to Independent Sector Research. More than 125,000 volunteers have been referred by HON to facilitate grassroots efforts led by faith, nonprofit and community groups. A total of 542 flood-damaged homes have been restored or have received energy-efficient upgrades by volunteers via HON and its rebuilding partners.

Since 1991, Hands On Nashville (HON) has been connecting volunteers to critical needs facing the Middle Tennessee community, like hunger, homelessness and environmental protection. In 2011, HON connected more than 114,000 volunteers to service opportunities, making it one of the largest volunteer resource centers of its kind in the world. Offering more than 300 volunteer opportunities to the community each month at HON.org, Hands On Nashville challenges everyone to find a way to give back and to ‘Be the Change.’ Volunteer. For more information, visit www.HON.org