Befriending Alex

Tom and Alex

Tom Venable is one of those people always looking for ways to give back to the community. It’s one way the high-energy former corporate leader and now passionate entrepreneur and owner of newly launched Sales Macgyver, creates work/life balance for himself. When Tom heard about the many individuals with intellectual and other disabilities supported at Hammer & NER looking for a one-on-one volunteer, someone to be a friend to them and take them out into the community, his ears perked up. He soon signed up for the organization’s “Make a Friend, Be a Friend” program—and gained a lifelong friend in Alex, who has been supported by Hammer & NER for 17 years.

Hammer & NER recently named Tom Venable as one of the recipients of this year’s Community Partner Award. The award recognizes those who have made a positive impact on the lives of the people we serve, or whose efforts have greatly supported our mission to provide people with intellectual and other disabilities the opportunity to live life to its fullest.

For the last eight years, Tom and Alex have built a strong bond, sharing countless adventures out and about in the community and enjoying various activities like attending JJ Hill Days in Wayzata, going bowling, taking in a movie, going on boat rides, or grabbing lunch at Snuffy’s Malt Shop or Punch Pizza. Their bond is built on trust, laughter, and genuine connection. Tom says he can be having a bad day, but when he walks through the door to visit Alex and sees the huge smile on his face, it turns his day right around. “Alex is such a wonderful part of my life,” Tom says. “He’s like the little brother I never had.”

Besides being a friend to Alex, Tom volunteers at our annual Reach for Ralph fundraising event, has called bingo, made meals for our homes in need, and volunteered at our Golf Open and Trunk or Treat events. He has donated more than 300 hours of his time to Hammer & NER and the people we serve.

Alex helped present Tom with a Community Partner award.

We are proud to celebrate Tom Venable for the friendship he has built with Alex and for his dedicated support of our mission. If you would like to volunteer with the Make a Friend, Be a Friend program, please contact our Director of Volunteer Resources, Cathy Thoma, at cthoma@hammer.org. 

Editor’s Note: We are saddened to share that Alex passed away July 18. Our condolences are with his family, friends, and the staff at our Carlson home where Alex resided for many years, along with his good friend, Tom Venable. To see Alex’s obituary please visit Alexander Luther Obituary | Minnesota Star Tribune