Local nonprofit, Special Kids, announced Wednesday that its co-founder, Carrie Goodwin, recently won the ADAM award presented by Students Taking A Right Stand (STARS) in Nashville.

The award was presented at the STARS 5th Annual Chair-ish The Night with Vince Gill and Friends held on Friday, November 22, at the Country Music Hall of Fame. Goodwin won the award for her work to launch Special Kids, a Christian nonprofit that serves children with special needs. Special Kids Executive Director, Chris Truelove, accepted the accolade at the event on Goodwin’s behalf.

“Carrie is a woman who always puts the needs of others first,” said Truelove. “Through her example of humility and servant-hood, our professional staff has impacted the lives of over 2,500 children with special needs.”

The ADAM award was established in memory of Adam Duke of Franklin, TN. Duke was born with Down syndrome, and in 1981 his mother, Alva Duke, founded Kids on the Block to help children learn to be accepting of each other regardless of their differences. The ADAM award is given annually to an individual who has ‘gone the extra mile’ to promote the importance of Accepting Differences Among Mankind (ADAM).

The STARS Chair-ish The Night event featured the ADAM award and a musical concert performed by country music artist, Vince Gill. The concert helped to raise funds for the STARS nonprofit, which exists to help students refrain from the use of alcohol and drugs. After 29 years of service, STARS now helps students in nine middle Tennessee counties and over 160 school and community sites. In 2006, the Duke family’s organization, Kids on the Block, merged with STARS to collectively support young people and their families and help them reach their potential.

What is Special Kids? 

Special Kids is a Christian nonprofit providing rehabilitation and nursing services to children with special needs. The Murfreesboro-based ministry started with one child in 1998 and has grown to serve over 2,500 children from 11 counties in middle Tennessee. For more information about Special Kids, please visit specialkidstn.com.