May 14, 2024
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Plainfield District 202 hosting car parade for Tom Hernandez

Hernandez is the former director of community relations for District 202 in Plainfield

By Denise M. Baran-Unland
Tom Hernandez, former director of community relations for District 202 in Plainfield, is seen inside the former Book and Bean Cafe inside the Joliet Public Library on Aug. 25, 2022. Hernandez has battled brain cancer for nearly two years. District 202 is hosting a car parade for Hernandez on Saturday. The community is invited to participate, but registration is required.

Tom Hernandez, former director of community relations for District 202 in Plainfield, is seen inside the former Book and Bean Cafe inside the Joliet Public Library on Aug. 25, 2022. Hernandez has battled brain cancer for nearly two years. (Denise Unland)

The community is invited to attend “The Amazing Tom Hernandez” car parade Saturday hosted by Plainfield School District 202.

Registration is required.

Hernandez is the former director of community relations for District 202 in Plainfield. He has battled brain cancer for almost two years.

“The district wanted to celebrate Tom because he’s done so much for the community as a District 202 employee, a community member and a parent to kids who attended District 202,” said Linda Taylor, a spokesperson for District 202. “We just wanted his family to know how much he was loved and appreciated.”

Taylor said Tim Albores, director of student services at the high school and ED/alternative programs in District 202, as well as Mina Griffith, assistant superintendent for student services in District 202, organized the event.

When news of the parade spread through the greater Plainfield community, District 202 opened the event to anyone who wanted to honor Hernandez in this way, Taylor said.

Attendees are encouraged to play music – Hernandez loves KISS, Prince and jazz music – and to decorate their cars and hold up posters, according to information from District 202.

Cars will line up from 9:15 to 9:45 a.m. at Lakewood Falls Elementary School, 14050 S. Budler Road in Plainfield, District 202 said. Once that lot is full, cars will line up at Creekside Elementary School, 13909 S. Budler Road in Plainfield, the district said.

The parade begins at 10 a.m. and will proceed to Hernandez’s home several blocks away, District 202 said.

Attendees must stay in their cars. District 202 will have a designated area for cards, gifts and donations. All items will be given to Hernandez’s family after the parade, the district said.

Taylor said District 202 is thankful for Hernandez’s decades-long service.

“His caring knew no bounds. He gave his heart and soul to the job,” Taylor said. “He cared about the people. He cared about the job. He cared about the kids. He cared about the staff. He’s just got a big heart and gave everybody a piece of it in a lot of ways.”

To register for “The Amazing Tom Hernandez” car parade, visit tinyurl.com/mu8hu99k.