Community Champion: Hazel Johnson
JACKSON, Tenn. — It’s time to recognize a Community Champion, an honor given to people making a positive impact in the community in partnership with Leaders Credit Union.
We introduce to you a woman making sure those in her community are a little less lonely.
“I just love doing things for people. I just enjoy it,” said Hazel Johnson.
If you ask those around her, Hazel Johnson personifies service. Since the 1980s she has been building a community for senior citizens through a group called the ‘Yahoos’, the Young At Heart and Otherwise.
“I was just always around older people or wanted to be around older people and help them because they’re lonesome. And they need something to do, so we did it at Campbell Street Church of Christ. And then when we moved out to Madison County Church of Christ, I continued it,” said Johnson.
On the first Friday of the month, the group gets together to fellowship. They also will have a guest speaker to talk about topics like scams on the elderly, safety, and options for assistance living.
“We have a devotional and then we play bingo and we have a good meal. So we have people from Lexington, Jackson, Henderson that come to this. So we have a good group here,” said Johnson.
Johnson also started a group called Good Grief Girls. It’s for the ladies who have lost spouses or others who are close to them.
“I do talk with a lot of people who have lost spouses and the same story all the time. I’m lonesome,” said Johnson.
The Good Grief Girls will meet and have a meal once a month, but they are always in contact helping to lift spirits.
“I’ll send out a lot of Charlie Brown things on text and they pass them on and kind of keep each other uplifted,” said Johnson.
As a cancer survivor, Hazel Johnson also makes a point to call those who have been diagnosed with cancer to speak with them and make sure they have insurance and other needs. While also offering encouragement and peace of mind about the struggles they may be facing.
“It’s just important to me as a 37 year cancer survivor. It’s just important to help other people because I know their situation, been there and done that,” said Johnson.
At 82-years-old, Hazel Johnson is still thinking of ways to help those around her, making them feel a little less alone.
“I’d like to start a group for people who are ladies who are in waiting to find out: ‘Do I have cancer? Do I not have cancer? I’ve got to have surgery and I’m waiting for my surgery.’ That is a terrible time because the anticipation and the dread is so hard,” said Johnson.
And she offers some advice for those who see a need in their own community.
“There’s too many out here who need other people who care about people. So, if you care about people, dive in and do it,” said Johnson.
If you know someone doing good in their community, you can nominate them for the Community Champion award by clicking here.
