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Chaplain, dog to lead parade |
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Saturday, 24 November 2007 |
 Elizabeth Baldwin, 5, visits with Saline County Chaplain Tamra Gore and her working dog, airedale Lucy, who will serve as grand marshals for the upcoming Christmas parade in Benton. Elizabeth’s mother, Lisa Baldwin, is coordinating the Monday, Dec. 3, event for Downtown Benton in conjunction with the Saline County Celebration of Lights.
Lisa Baldwin, who is coordinating the parade and related events as part of the Saline County Celebration of Lights, said Gore is well-respected for her service as a chaplain and is often called “an angel of mercy.”
“Tamra was highly recommended by Mayor (Rick) Holland’s office and the Benton Police Department for her behind-the-scenes work with the homeless, abused and broken-hearted,” Baldwin noted.
Gore is a member of the Arkansas and Saline County crisis teams. In that capacity, she handles death notifications and offers support to law enforcement members and their families, Baldwin said.
“Tamra assists local law enforcement with downtrodden individuals that they encounter on a regular basis,” she added. “She is well-known by the Benton Police Department because she often responds to crisis situations four-five times a day.”
Gore said her dog, Lucy, has acquired the title of “Chaplain Lucy” because of her calming influence to people in crisis. “She’s a working dog that kids and adults both respond to.”
Baldwin said a local Benton police officer described Gore’s service as “way over the top,” especially when assisting with juvenile and probation services cases.
Her calling to serve others extends outside the state and country, Baldwin pointed out. “She is a certified missionary and a member of the North American Mission Board.”
She has participated in several international mission trips, including two trips to Indonesia as part of the sunami disaster relief program.
She is the founder of the Vine and Branch Ministry, a nonprofit organization.
Gore and her husband, Larry Gore, a physical therapist at Saline Memorial Hospital, have two adult children, Ashley Fox and Matt Gore.
In the upcoming parade, Chaplain Gore and Chaplain Lucy will be riding in a vehicle provided by Everett Buick Pontiac GMC, Baldwin said.
The parade is scheduled for 6 p.m. in Downtown Benton. Parade registration forms are available at most downtown businesses, including Wallpaper for Less, Blinds, Etc./Market Street Gallery, Merle Norman Cosmetics Studio, Rhea’s Men’s Store, Paradise Pets, Sparks Jewelry, Dianne Roberts Art Studio & Gallery, From Belly to Baby, Shear Impressions, Colonial Cleaners, Maximum Nutrition, Cleo’s Furniture and Rumors Salon.
A $5 registration fee is required to help offset the parade expenses, Baldwin said. She noted that a $100 cash prize will be given to the parade entry that best exemplifies the parade theme “Jingle Bell Rock.”
Reservation forms should be turned in to Wallpaper for Less, Blinds, Etc. and Market Street Gallery, 119 N. Market St., or may be mailed to Downtown Benton Inc., P.O. Box 2031, Benton, AR 72018.
Additional information is available at 303-2149. |
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