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FROM OUR CONSULTING EDITOR<br />
I was born in November, so it’s naturally my favorite month of the year!<br />
It seems like everything that happens between Labor Day and Christmas<br />
becomes one big blur, however. My husband says it’s because I try to do too<br />
many things at once. But I happen to think that if you don’t do everything you<br />
can, when you can, you may miss out on doing it at all.<br />
There are a couple of stories in this month’s issue that are really near and dear<br />
to my heart. The first one documents the traditional Secret Mission trip that my<br />
husband and two of his closest friends have created for all our collective kids.<br />
It started when my own child was merely six years old. Today, he’s a sophomore<br />
in college. But the point is that these dads were very intentional about the way<br />
they spent their time with their kids—going back to doing everything you can,<br />
when you can.<br />
The other is a follow-up story about Shower Power—a grassroots organization<br />
that serves the growing homeless population in downtown Jackson. It’s where<br />
I spend nearly 100% of my time and energy when I’m not working for the<br />
magazine. We’re overwhelmed by the generosity of our “village” that sustains us<br />
with time, talents, and resources, and wanted to bring you up to date on what’s<br />
happening in our little organization.<br />
Finally, I’d like to remind you about “A Home for Brad.” Madison County<br />
Sheriff Deputy Brad Sullivan took two bullets to the head in 2019 while pursuing<br />
a kidnapping suspect. Miraculously, he lived. After months in the hospital, he was<br />
asked what he wanted more than anything. His answers were simple. He wanted<br />
to WALK out of that hospital—and he wanted to be home for Christmas.<br />
Brad did in fact walk out of the hospital—with assistance—but he is confined<br />
to a wheelchair and his home isn’t ADA compliant. It just doesn’t work on any<br />
level. So, a group of people got together and, with the generosity and support of<br />
friends and complete strangers alike, have built Brad a new home. The goal is to<br />
get him “home” by Christmas. Building supply costs skyrocketed while they were<br />
slap in the middle of the build. Any contingency dollars they thought they had<br />
are long gone. If you feel led, they desperately need your financial support to<br />
get them across the finish line and get Brad into a home that works for him.<br />
Please consider giving at AHomeForBrad.org.<br />
I wish you and your family a very Happy Thanksgiving, a wonderful Christmas,<br />
and a Happy New Year. There’s so much to be grateful for—even when times<br />
are hard. We’re all called to love one another. I challenge you to find a way to<br />
make a difference in someone’s life.<br />
ON THE COVER: Our Art Contest winner, Germantown 9th grader Bella Brewer<br />
HOMETOWN STAFF<br />
PUBLISHER & EDITOR<br />
Tahya Dobbs<br />
CFO<br />
Kevin Dobbs<br />
CONSULTING EDITOR<br />
Mary Ann Kirby<br />
In ThIs IsSue<br />
Reader Spotlight. . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11<br />
Hometown Family . . . . . . . . . . . . .12<br />
Magic of Lights . . . . . . . . . . . . . .18<br />
God’s Heart for Orphans. . . . . . . . . 30<br />
Real Men Wear Pink. . . . . . . . . . . 36<br />
Resting Their Sails . . . . . . . . . . . 40<br />
Shower Power Update . . . . . . . . . . 46<br />
Make-A-Wish . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .51<br />
Hometown Eats . . . . . . . . . . . . . 60<br />
The Secret Mission . . . . . . . . . . . 64<br />
SPECIAL PROJECTS<br />
ASSISTANT<br />
Caroline Hodges<br />
ADMINISTRATIVE<br />
ASSISTANT<br />
Alisha Floyd<br />
ADVERTISING<br />
ASSISTANT<br />
Lexie Ownby<br />
...see you around town.<br />
LAYOUT DESIGN<br />
Daniel Thomas<br />
3dt<br />
STAFF<br />
PHOTOGRAPHER<br />
Othel Anding<br />
ACCOUNT EXECUTIVE<br />
Nikki Robison<br />
www.facebook.com/hometownmadisonmagazine. For subscription information visit www.htmags.com or contact us at info@HTMags.com / 601.706.4059 / 200 Felicity Street / Brandon, MS 39042<br />
All rights reserved. No portion of Hometown Madison may be reproduced without written permission from the publisher. The management of Hometown Madison is not responsible for opinions expressed by its writers or editors.<br />
Hometown Madison maintains the unrestricted right to edit or refuse all submitted material. All advertisements are subject to approval by the publisher. The production of Hometown Madison is funded by advertising.<br />
Hometown MADISON • 9
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