Last Friday, United Way volunteers from local companies participated in the fourth annual Hometown Huddle event, presented by Nissan. This year, volunteers refurbished 17 school playgrounds and common areas in Rutherford and Cannon counties. Hometown Huddle was designed to bring awareness and impact to United Way's priority issues of healthy eating, physical activity, and supporting healthy choices.

Participating schools included Buchanan Elementary (Kindergarten Playground), Buchanan Elementary (1st-5th Grade Playground), Cason Lane Academy, David Youree Elementary, Discovery School at Bellwood, John Coleman Elementary, La Vergne Primary School, Mitchell-Neilson Primary, Northfield Elementary School, Scales Elementary, Smyrna Elementary, Stewarts Creek Elementary, Stewartsboro Elementary, Thurman Francis Arts Academy, Walter Hill Elementary, West Side School and Woodland Elementary.

"The Smyrna Nissan Team has been an integral partner with United Way for more than 30 years. We take pride in supporting our neighbors through volunteer efforts such as the United Way's Hometown Huddle", said Tim Slate, Director/Plant Manager, Stamping Plant for Nissan North America, "This year, more than 60 Nissan volunteers worked to refurbish three elementary school playgrounds in Smyrna. Having access to clean, safe and well-kept playgrounds is an important part of our youths' education and health, and our volunteers are proud to be a part of making our community a great place to live, learn, work and play."

Additional companies involved in this year's event include:

• Amazon
• Asurion
• Bridgestone
• Chase Salas - Elite Insurance
• Home Depot
• The Lady Raiders
• Miller, Loughry, Beach
• Middle Tennessee Electric Membership Corporation
• Nissan - Battery Plant
• Parks
• Rutherford County Government
• Saint Thomas Stones River Hospital
• Taylor Communications
• US Bank
• Yates Services

Event sponsors include Nissan, Chase Salas - Elite Insurance, Murfreesboro Young Professionals, State Farm, Miller Loughry Beach, Gabriel Frazier - Farmers Insurance, Regions Bank, Hick Lo Farms, Quinn's Mercantile and Metro.