Ponce Law partners with Fox 17 every month to recognize people in our community who devote their time and energies to helping others. See previous Hometown Heroes and tell us if you know someone who deserves this recognition.
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Maybe it’s a teacher, police officer, firefighter, nurse, or first responder. Anyone who makes a difference in people’s lives in Middle Tennessee is eligible!
Middle Tennessee has many heroes doing incredible work without any fanfare or expectations of recognition. We are fortunate to have the opportunity to honor these Hometown Heroes.
October 24 Hometown Hero Jennifer Simmons
September 24 Hometown Hero-Phil LaPrad
JULY 2024 HOMETOWN HERO
MARCH 2024 HOMETOWN HERO
February Hometown Hero Alex Mena
JANUARY 2024 HOMETOWN HERO
January’s Hometown Hero is Gretchen and Kirk Catherwood. They founded Darkhorse Lodge, a retreat for combat veterans from all branches of service. They were inspired by the memory of their son, Lance Corporal Alec Catherwood, who served in Afghanistan and was killed in action in 2010. Thank you, Gretchen and Kirk, for building this retreat, where each room is named for one of the 25 men lost from the Marine Corps’ 3/5, Darkhorse unit.
DECEMBER 2023 HOMETOWN HERO
December’s Hometown Hero is Ray Emanuel. Ray is one of the founding members and current CEO/Executive Director of the Native American Indian Association of Tennessee (NAIA), a service agency for Indians of Tennessee. Ray was nominated for his 42 years of service and dedication to growing their annual Pow Wow event. Thank you for improving services for daycare, housing, health, social services, and nutrition for low-income Indian people.
NOVEMBER 2023 HOMETOWN HERO
November’s Hometown Hero is Clemmie Greenlee. After losing her only son in a gang-related shooting in 2003, Clemmie decided “enough is enough” and began working to bring about change by establishing Nashville Peacemakers. The outreach organization has a street-based mission of curtailing violence in the community and is dedicated to intervening in the lives of teens and young adults. Programs include the action group Mothers Over Murder and an alternative to retaliation called Guitars And Not Guns. Thank you, Clemmie, for providing solutions to the problems that so often lead to violence.
SEPTEMBER 2023 HOMETOWN HERO
September’s Hometown Hero is Susan Binkley. Susan was nominated for her work as founder and president of Blue Monarch. This organization assists women and their children who are overcoming addiction, abuse, and economic hardship to transform in mind, body, and spirit. Since 2003, Blue Monarch has served nearly 1,000 women and children, and almost 350 children have reunited with their mothers who had previously lost custody. Thank you, Susan, for helping break adverse cycles for women and their children to rebuild their families.
JULY 2023 HOMETOWN HERO
July’s Hometown Hero is Alison Fuller. Alison serves as Volunteer Coordinator for Love On Wheels, a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization that provides new suitcases filled with necessities for children entering the foster care system across the state. Alison has been in the foster care system as a foster parent for 26 years, and it is close to her heart. Thank you, Alison, for helping provide stability and a stronger sense of self-worth to children in crisis as they transition into new homes.
JUNE 2023 HOMETOWN HERO
June’s Hometown Hero is Tim Woodward. Tim is the executive director of Animal Rescue Corps in Gallatin, TN. The organization was founded to help law enforcement with animals that need care and loving homes after emergency situations. Tim was nominated for this recognition by several Animal Rescue Corps volunteers for his years of service and leadership with the organization. Thank you for ensuring that displaced animals get the care and forever homes they deserve, Tim!
APRIL 2023 HOMETOWN HERO
April’s Hometown Hero is Jeff Goldsmith. Jeff is the president and founder of On Mission Motorsports, a non-profit organization based in Columbia, Tennessee, that takes military veterans, active-duty personnel, and first responders who suffer from stress-related anxiety to participate in offroad races. These outings help participants develop a connectedness and comradery with others, while also experiencing adrenaline rushes in safe and controlled settings. Thank you, Jeff, for recognizing and working hard to alleviate the stress that many military personnel and first responders deal with every day.
MARCH 2023 HOMETOWN HERO
March’s Hometown Hero is Pastor Ella Bernadette Johnson-Clay. She serves as the Executive Director for Healing Minds and Souls, an organization that helps heal trauma through education, relationships, and resources. Since May 2022, the organization has helped serve more than 20,000 people in the Nashville area. Ella is always there for her community and when people need her. Thank you, Ella, for so generously serving the people of Middle Tennessee!
FEBRUARY 2023 HOMETOWN HERO
February’s Hometown Hero is Sgt. Gary Herron. Sgt. Herron was nominated for the work he does with his Kids in Devastating Situations (KIDS) program in Rutherford County. He created KIDS to provide children in extreme circumstances with necessary items such as hygiene products, clothes, jackets, toys, journals, pencils, notebooks, and more. Thank you, Sgt. Herron, for working hard on behalf of vulnerable children throughout Middle Tennessee.
JANUARY 2023 HOMETOWN HERO
January’s Hometown Hero is Tina Mitchell. Tina is the founder and executive director of CrossBridge, a Nashville-based nonprofit organization dedicated to ending the destructive cycles of generational poverty, addiction, and incarceration. Tina and CrossBridge help children and teens avoid those cycles and help adults get out of them. Thank you, Tina, for the difference you make in the lives of people who deserve transformational healing and new opportunities.
DECEMBER 2022 HOMETOWN HERO
December’s Hometown Hero is Kelly Johnson. Kelly works with the Robertson County Emergency Management Agency, and she volunteers her time to train bloodhounds to become search and rescue dogs. The dogs she trains have helped locate missing people, including children and people with dementia. Thank you, Kelly, for the hard work and the many hours you spend training dogs who provide such a valuable service to our community!
