CLARKSVILLE, TN (CLARKSVILLE NOW) – At the Millan Foundation Banquet Thursday night, the nonprofit organization announced two major new initiatives: one to bring fresh drinking water to villages abroad, and another to bring food and other goods home to local charities.

The event, attended by 460 people at the Wilma Rudolph Event Center, was designed as “an evening filled with inspiring stories and a shared commitment to making a difference.”

The Millan Foundation Banquet at the WREC. April 17, 2025 (Jeff Danault)
Montgomery County Trustee Kimberly Wiggins at the Millan Foundation Banquet at the WREC. April 17, 2025 (Jeff Danault)
The Millan Foundation Banquet at the WREC. April 17, 2025 (Jeff Danault)
Charlie Koon at the Millan Foundation Banquet at the WREC. April 17, 2025 (Jeff Danault)
Rashidah Leverett at the Millan Foundation Banquet at the WREC. April 17, 2025 (Jeff Danault)
Montgomery County Mayor Wes Golden and Sara Golden at the Millan Foundation Banquet at the WREC. April 17, 2025 (Jeff Danault)
State Sen. Bill Powers at the Millan Foundation Banquet at the WREC. April 17, 2025 (Jeff Danault)
The Millan Foundation Banquet at the WREC. April 17, 2025 (Jeff Danault)
Truckload of food for delivery to those in need at The Millan Foundation Banquet at the WREC. April 17, 2025 (Jeff Danault)
Auction items at the Millan Foundation Banquet at the WREC. April 17, 2025 (Jeff Danault)
The Millan Foundation Banquet at the WREC. April 17, 2025 (Jeff Danault)
Pastor Tommy Vallejos gives the invocation at the Millan Foundation Banquet at the WREC. April 17, 2025 (Jeff Danault)
Welcome and introductions by Jeff Truitt at the Millan Foundation Banquet at the WREC. April 17, 2025 (Jeff Danault)
The Millan Foundation Banquet at the WREC. April 17, 2025 (Jeff Danault)
Leo and Lilly Millan speaking at the Millan Foundation Banquet at the WREC. April 17, 2025 (Jeff Danault)
Leo and Lilly Millan speaking at the Millan Foundation Banquet at the WREC. April 17, 2025 (Jeff Danault)
Jeff Truitt during the changemakers conversation at the Millan Foundation Banquet at the WREC. April 17, 2025 (Jeff Danault)
Jack Turner speaks during the changemakers conversation at the Millan Foundation Banquet at the WREC. April 17, 2025 (Jeff Danault)
Jeff Truitt, Jack Turner and Jim Durrett during the changemakers conversation at the Millan Foundation Banquet at the WREC. April 17, 2025 (Jeff Danault)
The Millan Foundation Banquet at the WREC. April 17, 2025 (Jeff Danault)
Jack Turner and Jim Durrett during the changemakers conversation at the Millan Foundation Banquet at the WREC. April 17, 2025 (Jeff Danault)
Leo and Lilly Millan at the Millan Foundation Banquet at the WREC. April 17, 2025 (Jeff Danault)
The Millan Foundation Banquet at the WREC. April 17, 2025 (Jeff Danault)
The Millan Foundation Banquet at the WREC. April 17, 2025 (Jeff Danault)
Aron and Elizabeth Maberry at the Millan Foundation Banquet at the WREC. April 17, 2025 (Jeff Danault)
JR and son Jeremiah of JHR Photos on scene at the Millan Foundation Banquet at the WREC. April 17, 2025 (Jeff Danault)
Kevin Kennedy Jr., Rhonda Kennedy and Kevin Kennedy at the Millan Foundation Banquet at the WREC. April 17, 2025 (Jeff Danault)
The Millan Foundation Banquet at the WREC. April 17, 2025 (Jeff Danault)
The Millan Foundation Banquet at the WREC. April 17, 2025 (Jeff Danault)

“We’re raising money to distribute to different organizations and initiatives that we have. Most are actually here in the States, but some are overseas,” founder Leo Millan told Clarksville Now.

Wells for fresh water

The foundation has been doing a lot of work in Guatemala, and that work has shown a need for fresh drinking water. “Our missions work deals with surgeries for kids in need, providing kitchens for schools so kids can eat, and digging wells for a water initiative,” Millan said.

As that well-digging work has grown, the foundation is now establishing the George Watson Clean Water Initiative, with the name announced Thursday night. The foundation wanted to honor Watson because he does so much for the community, said Tonya Leszczak, vice president of Business Management for Millan Enterprises.

Truckloads of goods for Clarksville

The second major initiative is Operation Hauling for Hope, a partnership among the Millan Foundation, Legends Bank and YAIPAK. Legends was able to connect the foundation with a source for truckloads of goods such as food and personal hygiene items. On display Thursday night was the latest shipment: 24 pallets of items for people in Clarksville in need.

“They asked us how many (truckloads) we want, and we said as many as you’ll send us,” Millan said. “So we’re going to need to partner with more people in the community, and our goal is to distribute it to the different organizations in the city.”

The items could go to Fort Campbell soldiers or CMCSS students or to flood relief, for example. But the foundation has to pay the shipping costs, which add up.

“Our callout to Clarksville is say, ‘Hey, if we work together and nobody cares who gets the credit, more things can happen. We want to be a conduit for all of the different nonprofits,” Millan said. “Instead of all fighting for resources, if we pull together, I think we can get a lot more stuff done.”

For more information, go to the Millan Foundation website, email foundation@millanenterprises.com or call 931-538-6049.

Jeff Danault contributed to this report. 

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