As far as Donnie Eden knew, he was headed to East Tennessee on Aug. 17 to accept an award for the White House Area Chamber of Commerce at the Tennessee Chamber of Commerce Executives conference in Kingsport.

One surprise detail was left out, however. The award was for him.

Donnie, the White House Chamber’s board chair, owner of Prosperity Mortgage, and co-owner of Stay Positive News, was named “Volunteer of the Year” among all volunteers representing chambers across Tennessee. Accompanied by wife Mandy and the White House Chamber staff, Donnie accepted the honor to rousing applause from conference attendees.

“[White House Chamber CEO] Mandy Christenson tricked me, no doubt,” laughs Donnie. “When she told me it was in Kingsport, I almost canceled because of it being five hours from home. But I’m so glad I went. It was humbling to get the nod for this award because there are a lot of very good volunteers out there. For them to pick me out of the group was a nice tip of the cap.”

Donnie credits his parents, Sherry and the late Don Eden, for setting an example where giving back to the community is the norm. Don was one of the founding members of the White House Area Chamber of Commerce when it formed in 1984.

“I watched my mother and father do exactly what I’m doing now,” he says. “There’s no way I could do enough volunteering to pay back for what this community has done for me and my family. It’s the best community in the whole wide world.”

In addition to his involvement with the White House Chamber where he’s devoted countless hours to leading meetings, volunteering at events, and creating initatives with community leaders, Donnie also supports other area chambers in Robertson County, Gallatin, and Portland with their events and fundraising efforts. He’s a past chairman of the Robertson County Chamber board and annually supports their largest fundraising event for education, the Sugar Plum Ball, as a top sponsor.

“When Donnie commits to something, he does it with enthusiasm and his whole heart,” says Christenson. “He’s not just a chamber champion, he’s a champion of his community. His love of community, business, and chambers made him the perfect candidate for Volunteer of the Year.”

As a cancer survivor of Hodgkins Lymphoma, Donnie has been highly active in the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society of Tennessee (LLST), earning the organization’s “Man of the Year'' honor in 2013. In 2021, he coordinated and hosted a fundraiser for LLST that generated more than $200,000.

“I’m the one they call in when they want to hype people up, jerk at their heartstrings, and tell a story that has a happy ending,” says Donnie.

Additionally, Donnie serves as a lay speaker and worship leader at White House First United Methodist Church, has emceed the White House Christmas Parade for the past two years (and provided the ability for the parade to be broadcast live at no charge to the chamber or city), and is on the board of Tri-Star NorthCrest Medical Center in Springfield. Through his network of contacts, Donnie utilizes social media to help area small businesses grow by posting video features on them.

“I’ve known Donnie for almost 17 years, and I’ve never run across anyone that’s been involved in so many community activities as he is,” lauds fellow White House Area Chamber board member Eric Berner, the co-owner of Rock Castle Wealth Advisors. “If I had to identify ‘Mr. White House,’ he would be the person. I can’t say enough good things about him.”

Donnie pledges his activity level and passion for making a difference will continue.

“If it’s White House, I’m all in,” he vows.