We'd like to introduce you to local Jefferson Awards Nominee, Tom Atkinson of Tampa.
Mr. Atkinson is a pastor at New Beginnings of Tampa. He was nominated by a member of Atkinson's faith-based drug rehabilitation program.
Nominator, Gary Brewster, met Mr. Atkinson in December 2005 when he begin his road to recovery and shared this with us:
Thanks to "Pastor Tom" I have been drug free for three years. I am now remarried and, with Pastor Tom's help & encouragment, I've been awarded permanent custody of my two children.
In addition to being a caring and dedicated pastor, he is always involved in programs and activities to help people. Four years ago, Pastor Tom began feeding homeless people off Florida Avenue in Downtown Tampa. The Saturday after Thanksgiving Day, an estimated 600 people were fed. The pastor's tireless efforts to help people are deserving of recognition.
