On Tuesday we asked you who you want to thank in Nooga for being a hero. There’s no doubt times are tough, and sometimes hearing words of encouragement is all it takes to keep going.

Trista here, and I wanted to give a quick shoutout to all of our readers. These past couple of months have been difficult, and there are days I just want to give up. On those days, however, there’s almost always an encouraging note in our inbox from one of you lovely people, and it gives me the strength to keep going. As a young journalist, your support during this pandemic + post-tornado has meant the world to me — thank you for reading every day and being a vital part of this beautiful community. ❤️

Chloé here. I echo what Trista said. And I’d like to give a shoutout to our fellow journalists in town — and beyond — who are working in an uncertain but essential industry. In these weird times, local media is more important than ever, and the job is more difficult than ever. Local journalists are people who care about their city, the truth and helping their community by educating and informing them. Thank you to everyone who plays a part in this + keep up the good work.

We love you, Chattanooga. | GIF via GIPHY

Shoutouts

“The owner of New York Pizza Dept” – Gina H.

“Father Charlie Burton for his spiritual guidance of the St. Jude community.” – Steve S.

“my fellow EPB employees -- after working through the Easter tornados, i have never felt more thankful for and proud of the people that I work with. their sense of selflessness and true devotion to our community is inspiring.” – Savannah M.

“My good friend and realtor, Geoff Ramsey. He helped us sell our old home then a mere 5 days before closing our new home was severely damaged in the tornado. He has gone above and beyond making himself (and his trailer) available to get us settled into a temporary place while the new home is repaired. He has even been in the neighborhood himself clearing out debris plus keeping his trailer and time available to help other volunteers transport food and supplies. All of this while he still maintains his business. I don't know where we'd be without him and I'm very lucky to call him a friend.” – Holly B.

“My Daughter” – Melanie C.

“Frances McDonald For gathering a group of artists to make hand crafted cards for the front line workers at the hospitals and including me - made me feel useful in these trying times” – David R.

“Joyce Lovelace, Johanne Albright and Whitney Caldwell

I live in Houston, TX. My 98 yo mom lives at Alexian Grove. During this quarantine, Mom has been lovingly and extremely well protected by the staff at Alexian Grove, particularly the super women named above. I cannot thank them enough for their kindness and caring.” – Sara W.

“Luanne Staub, volunteering to help so many after the Easter Tornado.” – Debbie B.

“My daughter, Lauren Dickerson Hammonds. My daughter has been tireless as a health care provider. Not just on the job but here, home while I'm in trials with my cancer. When I was unable, she would feed me, change bandages, and give me my medication. Now that I'm out of those woods, Lauren is still there for me. Three years later, I don't need as much attention but I am still working on a fuzzy memory that she steps up for and gets me back on track. Now she is back to her local health care provider, she still comes in and takes care of a 5-year-old and catches up on what I may need. That includes my laundry, picking up prescriptions and ordering supplies, making and managing medical appointments. She sure doesn't seem to mind it. When I ask how she does it she said, ‘It's ok Dad, you did it for me when I was growing up.’ What can I say to that. I love you Lauren.” – Ted Dickerson

“Mayor Andy Berke for his courage” – Lawrence M.

“For being on the front lines and not only hyper aware of keeping things clean and people safe, but going in every day (even though afraid), because she believes that in a crisis it’s her duty to help. She’s a rock star!!” – Cathy L.

“Beth Garnand, she is my best friend and a nurse working the front lines.” – F. Ellis

“I'd like to nominate my amazing friend Dr. Susan Raschal. Dr. Raschal is the owner of Covenant Allergy and Asthma Care. Like so many businesses, Covenant Allergy has been pounded by the Covid-19 crisis. Then came the tornado, which squarely hit the office. Two shots across the brow like this would deck many business owners.

Not Dr. Raschal. She’s a mom and a breast cancer survivor. She radiates positivity and is one of the strongest Christian women I’ve ever met. She’s tougher than any tornado.

When I rode through the rubble to the office on my bicycle on that Monday morning, Dr. Raschal was quickly filling coolers with any ice she could find with loads of medication. I wiped away my tears and asked if she was ok. 'I’m fine,' she said, 'but my patients won’t be if I don’t save this medicine.' Later that day Dr. Raschal found the treasure chest filled with toys she gives to kids. “Oh thank you God,” she said. Then she started counting in her head. She was counting the number of kids of all of MY employees to send me home with toys for them.

During the ongoing cleanup, Dr. Raschal stopped me and said, 'Ryan, I’m just so excited. I don’t know how yet, but God is going to be glorified through all of this, and it’s going to be huge. I can’t believe I get to be a part of it!'

That’s Dr. Raschal. If you are in need of an allergist, or better yet- a hero, look no further.” – Ryan R.

“Thank you to the 10th grade teachers at Chattanooga Christian School! They have made the transition to online learning for my daughter so smooth! She is still getting a quality education thanks to the hard work and dedication of those teachers!” – Carie R.

“Sierra, our Executive Director here at Garden Plaza, for keeping us safe during this virus.” – Judy V.

“Lindsay Williams” – Sandee C.

“Anyone wearing a mask” – Ed J.

“A Shout Out and Thank You Lester Perreault For being such a thoughtful and Caring Neighbor to his Senior Neighbors, He is always there to help us when needed !!! Thank You Lester. A Shout Out to Sandy Lee,Thank You Sandy For Always being Such A Helpful , Thoughtful Caring one of God's Children and Friend To All !!!” – Sandra T.“A friend who was with me during this time three years ago through the hardest part of my life, now a nurse for Nooga—” – Jess T.