Cynthia Wood and Antonia Poland
Cynthia Wood and Antonia Poland
This holiday season, the Samaritan Center had the privilege of helping families across eastern Hamilton County enjoy a warm Thanksgiving meal. With the help of their community partners, the Samaritan Center distributed 75 Thanksgiving meal vouchers to 68 households. Each meal fed up to four people and included warm turkey, potato salad, rolls, and vegetables.
This effort was made possible through a vital partnership with Davis Wayne’s, a local Ooltewah, Tenn., restaurant that prepared freshly cooked meals for families to pick up on Thanksgiving morning.
The connection was facilitated by Tonya Sadler, vice mayor of Collegedale, Tenn., who helped link the restaurant with families the Samaritan Center serves. She shared her perspective on the collaboration: “When I found out that the owners of Davis Wayne’s were looking to give back to our community by providing Thanksgiving meals to those less fortunate, I immediately knew who could connect them with families in need. The Samaritan Center has been an invaluable member of our community for years, and I’m pleased to have helped connect their clients with restaurateurs who wanted to give back for Thanksgiving.”
The generosity from Davis Wayne’s, their customers, and the Trylove Foundation was exceptional.
“Davis Wayne’s was honored to partner with the Samaritan Center and the Trylove Foundation to provide Thanksgiving meals for area families,” said Cynthia Wood, co-owner of Davis Wayne’s. “Sponsorships from Sam’s Club, Costco, and our loyal customers made it possible for us to feed over 100 families. Their generosity was so amazing, and stretched beyond what we set out to do. The overflow was given to two other organizations, making the impact quadruple of the mark we set. Davis Wayne’s understands the importance of giving and that blessings flow in a circle. As a local business, we have been blessed by our community and know we are privileged to be a blessing to others in return.”
The Samaritan Center is also grateful to Sam’s Club and Costco, which provided essential food items that helped make these meals possible.
Behind every meal the Samaritan Center distributed was a dedicated team of volunteers who packed meal bags, organized supplies, and spent their Thanksgiving morning handing out meals with a smile. The spirit of the Davis Wayne’s owners was infectious, creating a truly joyful volunteer atmosphere. Wayne Brown, director of partner engagement at Samaritan Center, experienced this firsthand, saying, “Cynthia and Antonia (co-owners of Davis Wayne’s) have a heart for people. When you walk into the restaurant, you’re not a customer; you’re family. They have built relationships that make volunteering fun. During the Thanksgiving Food Giveaway, we had so much fun, we forgot we were volunteering. Instead, we were at a friend’s house having fun and laughs. I’m looking forward to the next event to partner with Davis Wayne’s.”
This year’s Thanksgiving outreach reminded those involved of the good that happens when local businesses, community leaders, and caring neighbors come together. The Samaritan Center is grateful for everyone who helped make the holiday a little brighter for the families they serve.
Georgia-Cumberland | February 2026
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