Meet Parade Grand Marshal: Tonya Woodward

Each year, the South Central Area Fair Board chooses a Grand Marshal for their Christmas parade. The decision is never a difficult one in our little town as we have an abundance of good-hearted, worthy individuals. This year's choice is Tonya Woodward: Hohenwald transplant turned staple.

Tonya moved to Hohenwald from Henderson. "We vowed we would never move. We loved the town, church and home we were in and really believed we would stay there forever," she recalls. "God had other plans." She was working for Operation Hope Neighborhood Ministries in Jackson, when her husband heard from God to move to Hohenwald. "Within weeks, we had our house on the market and were moved. May 2008, we opened our very first summer day camp for school-age children and called it 'Operation Hope - Hohenwald'."

Ten years later, in 2018, the organization would grow so much that they would separate from the parent company in Jackson and become its own entity: Hope Hohenwald. "At the end of the day, I want to be able to say that I have provided hope for children, youth and families in our community, and many different outreach programs help us do that." She mentions programs like: Hope for the Holidays' Stuff the Bus, Easter EGGstravaganza, Hope Skates, Operation Hope Summer Day Camp, Operation Hope After School Program, and the most recently added, Remote Learning Center for virtual learners. "What I love about these programs," Tonya says, "is that it not only meets needs in the community and provides some much needed fun, it also allows our staff and volunteers to serve others, which is important. Serving others has definitely enriched my life. It's very difficult to feel sorry for yourself when you constantly see others who are less fortunate."

Hope for the Holidays has become one of Lewis County's biggest Christmas programs for youth and their families, and each year, anyone can see that by scrolling facebook after the event. It's full of happy smiles and grateful bellies. The Woodwards began the program in 2008 to help families who are going through financial hardships give their children warm clothing and gifts at Christmas.

"When I was a little girl," Tonya recalls, "my daddy had cancer and was very sick. I remember people in our community showing up to my house with presents for my brother and me. Things like that change you forever. I didn't know we were poor, though we were. My community made sure we were taken care of. I think maybe that is one of the reasons I want to make sure all children have a good Christmas."

Last year, Hope Hohenwald provided Christmas gifts to 202 children in Lewis County. Each child received three complete outfits, a winter coat, socks, underwear, pajamas, and shoes as well as toiletries, toys and gifts. "Everything was made possible by generous donations of people in our community. So many donate "Cash for Clothes" and they "Stuff the Bus" with toys. Unfortunately, COVID-19 has changed how we receive donations this year. We are hoping to receive enough funds through our virtual fundraisers and online events since we will not have in-person events," Tonya explained.

There are several ways to give. Follow Hope Hohenwald Inc. Facebook page. You can click donate to give there, and Hope Hohenwald will receive 100% of all donations. You can also choose to mail your gift/check to "Hope for the Holidays, 217 N. Park St., Hohenwald, TN. 38462.

Each year, wish lists are posted and fulfilled by community members. "We will be posting specific requests withing the week," Tonya mentioned, "so that those who can help are able to purchase the items and either bring them by or have them shipped to our location. We are partnering with a few businesses in town as well, including Covington Credit and Cash Express, where you can drop off new toys, and Shoe Sensation will be offering an angel tree for customers to purchase new shoes for children. Jonesy's Toy Ride and Jingle Jeeps also helps us raise funds for Hope for the Holidays. I love how so many people come together during this season for a common purpose."

You can email [email protected] to be involved!

Christmas traditions are what make the season so special. Getting together with family and making memories to share for a lifetime seems to linger throughout the year. And, for this year's Grand Marshal, it is no different.

"I love traditions," Tonya warmly says. "My family has two traditions during Christmas. The first one is that we go to a Christmas Tree farm in Jamestown, take a saw and sleigh, and cut down our very own Christmas tree! Then we go into the store and have hot chocolate, cider and fresh baked cookies. The next tradition that I love," she goes on to say, "is my Christmas trip with my family. Since my children are older, we no longer exchange presents. Instead, we go on a trip and make memories. The last few years we have been snow skiing. I always look forward to those trips, because gifts are temporary. Memories are forever."

Now that you know your 2020 Grand Marshal, I'll leave you with one of her favorite Christmas memories.

"When I lived in West Tennessee and worked for Hope in Jackson, we had a family who had triplet boys who we were helping for Christmas. A sponsor had promised to buy their gifts, but in the end, they had only purchased a poster for them. We were completely out of money and did not know what we would do. Minutes later, a guy walked in and gave us $300 in Kroger gift cards that were left over from their company Christmas party. I looked at my director and said, "Well, it's a Kroger Christmas!" The triplets ended up with a television, gaming chairs and lots of other goodies. I loved how God provided for this family in such an unusual way!"