BY LEON B. CREWS
Sentinel Staff Writer
Local artist, Tom G., and his partners, Team Fetti, try every year to give something back to the community that has supported them.
This year, Tom G. and Team Fetti made an arrangement with a local car dealership to give a car away to a family desperately in need of transportation.
“We sat and interviewed a lot of people, and just about all of them were eligible to get the car. But, this one lady stood out from the others.”
The lady Tom G. is talking about is Jennese Tolbert. Ms. Tolbert is a single mother with 9 children she’s caring for, and has experienced some rough times over the years.
Ms. Tolbert is a native of Buffalo, New York, and came to Tampa as the wife of a military man. At that time, she had only one child. “As time went on, my family grew, and now I have 5 daughters, 3 grandchildren, and another child I’ve taken into my home to care for.
“Beginning in April of this year, we were staying in a home that was foreclosed on. We were served an eviction notice and we had nowhere to go. We filed an appeal, and got an additional 10 days, but we had to leave after that.
“We were homeless for a while, but later we found another place. I needed a lot of help to make it happen, and it was a struggle.”
Ms. Tolbert said at that time two of her daughters were expecting and for three months, she received public assistance.
“I feel blessed to be where I am. I had a car, but it broke down and it was hard not being able to get around. I felt so blessed when Tom G. and the other guys told me I had won their contest.
“When I got the news I had won, at first I was shocked. I was talked into entering the contest by my children, because the only thing I had done socially was attend church.”
Ms. Tolbert said she knew when she met the young men they were humble, and their words held so much weight.
“They really touched my heart, and now we can ride together. Things have really turned around for us, and all I have to say is to God be the glory, because without Him, it wouldn’t be possible. I have family members I can visit now, and we couldn’t’ be happier.”
Tom G. said the minute Ms. Tolbert sat and started talking with them, he knew she would be the winner of the contest.
“Her story really touched us, and I wish we could do more for her and her family. It just seemed to us she was the perfect fit as our contest winner, and we were honored to present her the keys and meet her family.”
Ms. Tolbert is a member of Tragedy To Triumph Ministries, under the watch of New Beginnings Church, Elder Elmer Williams, pastor.
