Tommie Erwin, 79, gathers toys at Nolan Elementary before delivering them to area children battling cancer. Erwin is this year’s regional Jefferson Award winner for December.Even approaching her 80th birthday, Tommie Erwin hasn’t slowed down in her quest to lighten the load for families confronting pediatric cancer.
From hand-delivering Christmas gifts to families who can’t afford them to helping struggling parents pay a gas bill or avoid foreclosure, Erwin has been an unsung hero for hundreds of local families for 30 years, friends say.
“She’s a dynamo. If something needs to be done, she gets it done,” said Donna Gaines. She volunteers with Erwin in the Chattanooga chapter of the Candlelighters, which provides money and support for families dealing with pediatric cancer.
“She doesn’t give orders,” Gaines said. “She’s there working as hard as everybody else. In fact, she’s probably working a lot harder than everybody else. People just want to work with her and help her. She instills that in people.”
Erwin, who lives in East Ridge, is the regional Jefferson Award winner for December. Gaines nominated Erwin for the award, which recognizes outstanding work in community service and volunteerism.