Throughout the week, our ACC Team searches through emails and news articles looking for someone who deserves to be the Hero of the Week… Find out how you can nominate a Hero of the Week at the bottom of the page.
This week, we share a story of community, folks coming together to help out a local woman down on her luck.
LaShenda Williams had a tough life, having dealt with drug addiction, abuse, and abandonment. Her path led to her living in her car in a grocery store parking lot in Middle Tennessee.
One day LaShenda noticed the store was hiring, so she applied for the job. She was told that she had to apply online, so she got out her old laptop and asked the store manager if she could borrow a cord and a place to plug it in. That store manager, Jackie Vandal, helped LaShenda with the application. And, as soon as LaShenda was done and the form indicated that she had successfully applied, Jackie told her, “You’re hired!” She said that it was LaShenda’s sincerity and genuineness that won her the job.
Now, eight months later, LaShenda is one of the stores best employees, and she has saved up enough money to rent an apartment. Through donations made by the store’s customers, LaShenda now has furniture and clothes to fill her new home, and she couldn’t be more grateful. She tells everyone she works with, “Don’t let anybody steal your joy.”
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Kix’s Response:
Now, that is community – helping one another to succeed. It’s not a handout; it’s a hand up. And, I couldn’t be happier for LaShenda Williams on turning her life around. I think there are two heroes in this story… LaShenda Williams and Jackie Vandal, you are our ACC Heroes of the Week!
Learn more about this story as covered by USA Today.
Nominate a Hero of the Week
Now, we want to know who has made a difference in your life. Nominate a local firefighter, police officer, EMT or someone who is serving our country in the military. It could even be a neighbor, family member or friend who lent a crucial helping hand. Let us know all about the person who you feel is a real life hero by emailing us here and please feel free to send us a picture!