SAVANNAH, GEORGIA (May 9, 2015) – Shelter From the Rain, Inc. held its Second Annual “Crown A Single Mom” Nomination Contest this year. After accepting community nominations to honor and recognize hardworking single mothers in the Coastal Empire, they announced Leomar Guzman, Clevette Donar and Toni Garza as the 2015 winners.

Shelter From the Rain's “Crown A Single Mom” nomination contest is a project under a program called “Queen’s Corner,” which believes that every mother should be treated like a queen and every queen needs someone in her corner. Named after the late Mary Queen Graham, a single mother of twenty-four years, this program is designed to provide emotional support to single mothers. 

The 2015 nominations listed below highlight why these moms are so special!

Leomar Guzman's Nomination
“This mom is special, because at 16 she got pregnant, got married and became a single mom. After the baby was born, the father joined the military and decided he didn't want to be a dad. She had family, but she didn't want to dump her responsibilities on anyone. For a week she lived in her car with her young daughter. Everyone told her to just give the baby up or let the baby stay with them until she got on her feet, but she refused. She always knew that she would come out ahead and be a good example to her child. Later, she had three other children and raised them alone. They didn't have everything they wanted, but they had everything that they needed. She was both mother and father while raising exceptional children. To this day, her children come first. She never thinks of herself, but always thinks of how she can assist her kids. This is an unselfish woman who deserves to be queen for a day.” 

Clevette Donar's Nomination
"Mrs. Roberson has endured a life long time of struggle, but never let the struggle defeat her. Ten years ago she had to endure a major brain surgery that caused her some memory loss and some learning disabilities. She was discharged from the military and still had to help care for her new born baby. Over the years, Mrs. Roberson had to re-learn cognitive skills that we learn as babies and that we sometimes take for granted. She has taken disappointment on jobs and has been unable to hold some jobs due to her disabilities. She still holds firm that "No one will provide for my two children, but me." So, she just recently completed her Associates Degree in Accounting. She never lets her disability get the best of her and she always gives me inspiration when I don't have any myself. What a great mother, friend and woman of God. She currently works any job necessary to provide for her two daughters. Her oldest daughter is on the way to college this year. It takes a great mother to do all of this. I salute her and my hat is off."

Toni Garza's Nomination
"Toni is a single mother of three boys. Her oldest son suffered a traumatic brain injury when he was two years old. This makes it difficult for him to learn some tasks in school. Toni is willing to get him a tutor and she will even give up eating lunch in efforts to pay for the additional help. Toni is always putting her children first and giving up on her needs. She's an inspirational mother and always willing to go the distance for her boys. Because she couldn't afford a computer she would help him by borrowing a laptop to do homework. She really goes above and beyond. She also does the same for anyone in need."

We are very grateful for all the inspiring "Crown A Single Mom" nominations and we look forward to honoring more mothers next year!

About Shelter From the Rain, Inc.

Shelter From the Rain, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) non-profit, based out of Savannah, Georgia, designed to enrich the lives of low-income mothers and their children through acts of kindness that nurture the mind, body, and soul.