94.9 presented this week’s #HometownHero award to:

Michelle Zinkel

Thanks to Steve Johnson in DeKalb for nominating Michelle. He wrote: “Michelle became aware of two women who had fallen on hard times. They were living in a vehicle that was inoperable and had to park near the business one of them worked at so she could get to work. They were not able to stay at Hope Haven because the vehicle would not run, so getting to work across town would be an incredible burden. Michelle reached out to help. She established the Facebook page “Loving Hearts, Helping Hands” to raise funds to help these two ladies. Michelle then coordinated people that could donate bedding, clothing, food, hand warmers, and other supplies. She was able to raise enough money to buy a used minivan to get them where they needed to go, and to help to keep them warm with the oncoming winter. Michelle found donations for gas cards and insurance, and filled thermoses with hot soup along the way, giving them comfort and the first warm meals they had had in quite a while. Having accomplished her first goal to help two people who so desperately needed it, Michelle is now planning to expand her goals to help others in our community.”