Past Hometown Heroes Blog

 

 

 

Established in 2009, Tucker’s House helps families determine what modifications are needed in a home to make it a safer environment for a child and those who care for the child.  After the determination has been made, Tucker’s House performs the necessary work.  Construction may range from installing a wheel chair ramp to removing carpeting and replacing it with hardwood flooring enabling easier wheel chair mobility.  Based on the needs of the client, renovations often include the widening of doorways, remodeling of bathrooms, including curb-less showers and roll-under sinks.  

The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) has made it their mission to create hope and answers for families living with muscular dystrophy and related diseases that take away physical strength and mobility.   These families are at the heart of everything MDA offers- from clinics to prepare and train them to care for their loved ones to assistance getting them the equipment they may need in their home.

Jacquie Glover could teach lessons about how to turn lemons into lemonade. After receiving the a diagnosis of breast cancer in 2007 during a routine mammogram, Jacquie went through several surgeries and chemo and in her words "came out a stronger person."
"During my diagnosis and recovery having a strong support group and focusing on nutrition and exercise helped me maintain a positive attitude and a healthy mind, body and spirit.

For more than 23 years, Ronald McDonald House Charities of Nashville has provided a "home away from home" for families of critically ill children receiving care at Nashville area hospitals.

 

Stephen Huff spent his life as an athlete. He played baseball in college and then played in the pros. He never smoked. He took care of himself. All of these are just some of the reasons it was so shocking that at the age of 29 he was diagnosed with stage IV inoperable lung cancer. As Stephen goes through treatment he his wife Emily have decided to put this horrific experience to work with the creation of The Huff Project.

?For over a decade Gail Powell has served as the Executive Director of High Hopes Development Center. During this time she has played a key role in helping High Hopes expand and grow to serve the high demand for the inclusive preschool education and physical, occupational, speech and feeding therapies which they offer.

 

?Six years ago husband and wife team Chris and Elaine Whitney created One Generation Away, a nonprofit organization that grew from their dream that we can eliminate poverty in our lifetime. OGA provides emergency food service to those in need via mobile pantries, as well as through partnerships with hospitals, social workers, schools, law enforcement, churches, civic groups, and many others who want to wipe hunger off the face of America.

 

The Muscular Dystrophy Association (MDA) has made it their mission to create hope and answers for families living with muscular dystrophy and related diseases that take away physical strength and mobility. These families are at the heart of everything MDA offers- from clinics to prepare and train them to care for their loved ones to assistance getting them the equipment they may need in their home.

 

When Mary Ann Parks moved to middle Tennessee nine years ago to be close to her children she immediately began to look for a place where she could be of service in her new community. She found just that place at The Well Outreach in Spring Hill, Tennessee, serving on their prayer team, in the pantry and working at their events. ? The Well Outreach began as a food pantry in a local church in 2006, with the goal of showing God's love by giving food to those in need. 

 

Agape Animal Rescue is dedicated to finding forever homes for abandoned and displaced dogs while educating the public to be more responsible pet owners. From the moment dogs enter their foster program, Agape is dedicated to making a positive difference in these dogs' lives, emotionally, socially, physically, in order to aid in a smooth transition into their forever homes. While in foster care they work to teach their foster dogs basic obedience skills, including proper leash manners and friendly house manners through their Foster Care Training Program.

 

?After watching their nephew battle cancer, Andrea and David Gillespie wanted to do something to not only thank St. Jude Children's Research Hospital for everything they did for their family but in hopes that they can help other families in the same position. David ran the Memphis marathon in 2015 as a St. Jude Hero and raised an incredible $14,000 in 2 weeks. In the Spring of 2017 Andrea joined David and "Team Garrett" raised $12,770 for St. Jude.

 

When Tommy Rhodes was a PhD student at Vanderbilt he had a vision to start a camp that brought together kids from all socioeconomic levels, races and backgrounds. Not long after he had that vision Tommy and his wife sold all of their possessions and began Barefoot Republic. Seventeen years later they welcomed their 10,000th camper and now have camps in three states. Barefoot Republic's overnight campground is located in Kentucky and campers stay in "Swiss family Robinson meets MacGyver" style treehouses.

 

?Many Nashville locals are familiar with the Thistle Farms brand. We see it in our grocery stores and enjoy their lavender hand soaps, lotions and candles. What many may not know is how the Survivor-Leaders, graduates of the Thistle Farms program, are paying it forward mentoring other women who have also survived abuse, prostitution and addiction. The Survivor-Leaders are actively involved in not only mentoring newer residents of the program, but also in sharing this work through speaking, and events, with the wider community.

 

"Donnie has gone out of his way time and time again not just for us but for people all in the community," said Darrell Waltrip about Dr. Headrick, his personal vet of 20+ years. "I could tell you stories about things he has done. He's a special man and this was a big honor for me to have him here and present him with this trophy." ? In honor of the countless lives he has impacted during his 40+ years as a practicing vet, Doctor Donnie Headrick was named a Darrell Waltrip Automotive Group Hometown Hero…

Cary Ralph, RN, spends her days, and often her nights and weekends, helping women who are battling breast cancer learn to navigate their way through the disease. As soon as they are diagnosed, Cary is there with them. She doesn't keep any set hours. She is at the hospital, on the phone, or in her office with a patient whenever they need her. She almost never says no to them. She answers questions, holds their hand during a biopsy, goes into surgery with them, and on and on.

 

In 2008 Larisa Featherstone's daughter Lily was diagnosed with leukemia and received 2 years of chemotherapy before going into remission. In 2016 they received the devastating news that the cancer was back. Throughout Lily's fight Larisa and her family have diligently worked to raise funds and awareness for Vanderbilt Children's Hospital and children's cancer surpassing their original $1 million goal. They also created the Lily's Garden Endowment which is committed to make a significant contribution to learning more about childhood cancer.

 

?Snooty Giggles Dog Rescue, based in Thompson's Station, TN, began over 10 years ago as a grass roots organization when founder Shawn South-Aswad and her husband began taking in a few dogs here and there who found themselves in need of a place to lay their head until they could find their own home. As time passed they developed a love and special touch with seniors and medical needs dogs that needed more one on one attention and were being overlooked by the general rescue population.

 

?"I can't think of anyone who embodies the qualities of a hero more than Jennifer," shared Gail Horton, a dear friend of Jennifer's and her inspiration for exploring foster parenting. "She is a champion for the least of these, the children who are medically fragile and in foster care. Jennifer advocates for these children as if her life depends on it! She is a champion for the children that are in her care. There are some weeks where she spends more time talking to doctors, taking kids to therapy than she is at home…

Michael Fletcher is a well known public servant in Williamson County. A decorated US Army Veteran, Michael has served as a Lieutenant with the Williamson County Sheriff's Department, a paramedic for Williamson Medical Center EMS and currently serves as the Director of Safety and Security for Williamson County Schools. ? "'Fletch' has an extremely rare combination of subject matter knowledge, wisdom and empathy," said Jason Golden, Deputy Superintendent, Williamson County Schools.

 

Michael Fletcher is a well known public servant in Williamson County. A decorated US Army Veteran, Michael has served as a Lieutenant with the Williamson County Sheriff's Department, a paramedic for Williamson Medical Center EMS and currently serves as the Director of Safety and Security for Williamson County Schools. ? "'Fletch' has an extremely rare combination of subject matter knowledge, wisdom and empathy," said Jason Golden, Deputy Superintendent, Williamson County Schools.