Meet Wayne Tomlinson – Our Hometown Hero

Meet Wayne Tomlinson.  Our Neighborhood Hero and my friend.

In April of 2020, about 6 weeks into the government mandated economic shutdown that crippled thousands of area businesses and eliminated the only income for tens of thousands of local families, Wayne Tomlinson, of Corinth, Texas, decided he could not sit back and do nothing. Wayne, and his wife, Christie, had gone through hard times also, and he knew, firsthand, how losing income could quickly lead to homelessness and not being able to provide for your family. Somehow, he HAD TO HELP.

 

It all started with a post on a neighborhood app called NextDoor. The app allows for conversation among neighbors, about any and all issues that affect a person’s specific neighborhood. Wayne decided to reach out to his local neighbors and began a discussion in NextDoor to offer help to neighbors in economic stress. This effort became known as “Neighbors Helping Neighbors”.

 

Wayne worked tirelessly, all while working his own full time job, to search out the needs of his neighbors, thoroughly vetting the individual and need, and meeting those needs through donations from individuals, and businesses, throughout our community.

 

In 21 months, Wayne, with the help of our neighbors and local businesses, came together to lend financial assistance to over 52 families with anything from past due rent to avoid eviction or losing their homes, utility payments, vehicles, finding jobs, providing needed food and clothing, Thanksgiving and Christmas dinners, and even presents for tons of children over the past 2 Christmas holidays that would have had nothing under the tree on Christmas morning.

 

I am one of the neighbors that Wayne was able to help. Not only did his efforts help me, and many others, but he asked us to “Pay It Forward” and try to spread this movement by helping others in whatever way we could. I was so moved by the impact Wayne made on myself, and countless others in our community, that I wanted to do something for him. I met with his wife, 2 sons and his daughter, and learned that he is a devoted husband, loving son and father, and someone who doesn’t want recognition and never expects anything in return. With his wife’s help. I reached out to Scott Garber, a local councilmen in Corinth, that was instrumental in helping Wayne obtain donations for many in need. Scott shared Wayne’s story with his fellow councilmen. The city was inspired by his efforts, and voted to dedicate February 9th as Wayne Tomlinson Day, in the city of Corinth, Texas!

 

Scott said it best, when he said, “If we had more Wayne Tomlinson’s’ in this world, the world would be a much better place.”

 

Wayne, and Christie, are starting a new chapter in their life. They just sold their home, bought an RV, and they have decided to travel together and enjoy their retirement.

We organized this GoFundMe to give back to Wayne, and to help him and his wife, have a great start to Wayne’s retirement. I ask that you please help us in giving back to someone who has selflessly given his time, and efforts, to so many, who is one of God’s angels here on earth. I ask you to remember a time when an angel appeared in YOUR life, and helped YOU in some way, that greatly impacted YOUR life, and find it in your hearts to donate to Wayne Tomlinson. Our Hero, our Neighbor, and my friend.

 

ALL MONEY, received by the GoFundMe, will be going directly to Wayne, and his wife.

 

 

HOW CAN YOU HELP?

 

• SHARING HIS STORY TO YOUR SOCIAL MEDIA TO GET HIS STORY OUT

• GIVING A FINANCIAL DONATION TO WAYNE AND HIS WIFE

• CONTINUING WAYNE’S MOVEMENT OF “NEIGHBORS HELPING NEIGHBORS” IN YOUR OWN TOWN OR NEIGHBORHOOD.

• SHOW YOUR SUPPORT, BY ATTENDING THE CITY COUNCIL MEETING IN CORINTH, TEXAS ON FEBRUARY 3, 2022, AT 6:45PM, WHERE WAYNE WILL BE HONORED FOR HIS EFFORTS OF “NEIGHBORS HELPING NEIGHBORS”, WITH FEBRUARY 9TH BEING NAMED “WAYNE TOMLINSON DAY”, IN CORINTH, TEXAS.