Tamra Gore – 16 in 2016

Executive Director, The Vine And The Branches, Inc.
17-Year Saline County Resident

No matter where you are, there is a never-ending call for help. Issues of violent crime, sexual assault, domestic violence, suicide, grief, death, homelessness and hunger are community problems that show up every day. People like Tamra Gore, a crime survivor herself, bring hope and healing to these types of situations. She volunteers with the American Red Cross and helps with immediate needs of families living through disasters. She provides relief services through several organizations, including the Southern Baptist Convention, Saline County and Arkansas Crisis Team and the International Conference of Police Chaplains.

For more than 30 years, this chaplain has volunteered to help people in need. She’s provided her services as nearby as Saline County following storms and tornadoes to as far away as Southeast Asia when the tsunami devastated the area in 2004.

The Vine and the Branches was established by Tamra as an extension of her chaplaincy calling. The organization seeks to be “the light in the darkness where people are hurting and provide for their immediate needs.” Since its establishment in 2007, Tamra and the organization have been able to help many people. “We are thankful to partner with many nonprofits, churches and individuals to, in turn, help our community,” she says.

Services provided free to those in need include hospital support, transportation and clothing replacement in rape and sexual assault cases; emergency transport, shelter and essential needs for domestic violence situations; walking with people through death and dying, suicide and suicide prevention; food provision for immediate needs; arranging for shelter, support and physical needs in homeless situations; offering chaplaincy for support and care to emergency personnel; and helping people through disasters and their aftermath.

Tamra is motivated every day by people’s gratitude. As a child, her giving nature blossomed because of her parents, aunts and uncles. “They were very giving people,” she says. “Today, I receive great joy from seeing the grateful expressions on the faces of those I have the opportunity to help.”

Sometimes giving so much of her time, listening capacity, and resources to others can leave Tamra looking for a shoulder to lean on. “A trusted, listening ear is so important in my work,” she notes. “Debriefing is very important to stay mentally, physically and spiritually healthy.”

Her hobbies also restore Tamra. “I love the outdoors. Gardening, camping, fishing, hiking and
watching black bears are all great stress relievers.”