Tampa, FL (May 1, 2017) – In 2010 the farm families who own Cabot Creamery Cooperative presented the first Cabot Community Celebrity Cruise. Their goal was to honor the achievements and contributions of volunteers who were making a significant difference in their communities.  The award program proved to be a success and is now in its eighth year.

Two entrepreneurial local women, often seen volunteering together; yet creators of their own philanthropic organizations were each selected for this honorable recognition.  Both are members or officers of Charity Chics, Network of Executive Women, WWOTB, Fulfill Your Destiny and On Point Executive Center.  Both volunteer for many of the same local charities, are fueled by spotlighting deserving entrepreneurs, are both published authors, enjoy crafting, learning, traveling, spending time outside, value and appreciate their husbands’ support of their work…and both are named Karen.

Karen R Mertes says, “Similar to how our bodies need exercise for peak performance, our souls need philanthropy,” said Karen.  “Donating our time, talents, treasure or any combinations of these makes our hearts happy!”

Karen S Gillman says, “I volunteer to share all that I have been given.  I am fueled by the good works of the women in my group and by the impact we see in our community by joining together our time, talents and resources.”

In June of 2017, the Cabot team will set sail on an Alaskan Cruise with more than 60 Community Celebrities and their guests to ports of call including beautiful Ketchikan, Juneau, and Skagway as well as Victoria, British Columbia. On board they will learn from like-minded volunteers from across the nation. They will attend workshops and seminars on social media and enhancing their volunteer efforts, share tips and tactics that make them successful, and ultimately, get ready to do more great things in the communities they serve.

Cabot partners with organizations such as AARP/Create the Good, Points of Light, National Cooperative Bank and many other sponsors that help to make these grand awards a reality.

Cabot is helping redefine what “true celebrity” really means.  They believe “true celebrities” are those who make a difference in their communities because of their selfless contributions to others.

The farmer-owners of Cabot do this because we want more people to join us in recognizing and applauding the time and talent given to make our communities better, stronger, more loving and vibrant places. We appreciate the heart and drive it takes to do good for others. In recognizing the good deeds of volunteers, we sincerely hope to inspire more people to contribute time to their communities, and we want the notion of celebrity to evolve into recognition of selfless volunteerism.

Cabot Creamery has grown into an international success story by focusing on its local roots. Cabot’s 1,200 farm-family owners support and promote volunteerism in the communities they work and live in, and the co-op has launched a program to recognize others who share that passion– the Cabot Community Celebrity Award.

About Karen R. Mertes and Fulfill Your Destiny

Karen R. Mertes turned a life-altering tragedy into a life purpose with her organization, Fulfill Your Destiny.  Karen, Lieutenant Colonel (Ret) from our United States Air Force, was driving the speed limit on the interstate when she was struck by a drunk driver traveling over 100 mph on February 7, 2007.  During this time, as her life hung in the balance, Karen made a bargain and promised if she were fortunate to survive, she would spend the rest of her life helping others.  This was the genesis for what has become Fulfill Your Destiny, Inc, a nonprofit 501(c)3 corporation helping people through its pioneering program of awarding ‘Business Builder Grants’ to proven entrepreneurs who have experienced life-changing events and desire to take their businesses to the next level.  Karen is a highly regarded Professional Speaker; Award Winning, Best Selling Author of Plaintiff 101; Certified Entrepreneur, Leadership and Business Consultant all to benefit Fulfill Your Destiny.  Karen is also the creator of Fulfill Your Destiny’s annual signature event, Spring Chari-Tea held each year in March.  To learn more about Karen and Fulfill Your Destiny, please visit https://fulfillyourdestiny.org.

About Karen S. Gillman and Charity Chics  

Karen Gillman is a proud resident of Plant City, FL (the city where Cabot Creamery Cooperative regained the Guinness Book of World Record for the Worlds Largest Smoothie – 2017)! She is a wife of 17 years, and mother of a 6-year-old daughter and 4-year-old son.  She is an owner and Vice President On Point Executive Center, Inc. a business services company that serves small businesses and non-profits, Co-Founder of Charity Chics, Owner of After the Band, Treasurer of Non Profit Fulfill Your Destiny, member of Working Women of Tampa Bay, member of Frist Assembly of God Plant City, Board Member of Network of Executive Women, Advisory Board Member of Apollo Endosurgery and a Notary of Public. She is also a graduate of Framingham State College, a published author and has lived on both the west and east coast. Karen is creative, crafty, loves all things digital, is well recognized for a long list of business awards and serves her community with countless hours of volunteer work with passion and purpose.  To learn more about Charity Chics or On Point, please visit http://www.charitychics.com or http://www.onpointexecutivecenter.com.

About Cabot Cooperative Creamery   

Cabot Creamery Cooperative has been in continuous operation in Vermont since 1919, and makes a full line of cheeses, yogurt, sour cream, cottage cheese and butter. Widely known as makers of “The World’s Best Cheddar,” Cabot is owned by the 1200 dairy farm families of Agri-Mark, the Northeast’s premier dairy cooperative, with farms located throughout New England and upstate New York. For more information on Cabot, visit: http://www.cabotcheese.coop.

Cabot Creamery Cooperative is the world’s first cheese maker and dairy cooperative to achieve B Corporation Certification, a validation of its attention to environmental and social impacts on stakeholders.   To learn more about Cabot, please contact Nate Formalarie, nformalarie@cabotcheese.com.

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