Rashad Jennings, Hallmark Drama Bring Hope to Communities Devastated by Tornadoes

“I’m an emotional creature,” he continued.  “I love to highlight anything good.  But I have to say some of doing this was tough.  When you hear some of the stories from families … being there with them is very different from hearing stories from a distance.  It’s reality; nothing about this is scripted, and you are hearing the stories live.  It made them hold so much more meaning.  For me, it was amazing to actually feel like a part of the community and its rebuild.”

In addition to decorating Providence Baptist Church (the community heart) and creating a night of holiday fellowship for the community, Crown Media Family Networks will be sponsoring homes to be built for a few townspeople who lost everything during the tornadoes.  Jennings will also highlight some local heroes.  “There are a lot of people down there who deserve so much recognition, and with this, we get a chance to do that.  It was such a good project to be involved in.

“So many heroes from across the globe came to the community to give, and a company called Fuller House is helping rebuild the community,” he added.  “[In total] we [are working on] five families’ homes.  You get to see people caring for others, and as the facilitator of it all, it was a reminder that just showing up and giving your time can make all the difference.  It’s something I got to experience firsthand.”

Since his DWTS win, life has taken a vastly different path for Jennings.  Reflecting on all that he has achieved, he said he feels “great.”  And he’s still dancing whenever he can.  “I fell in love with it,” he shared.  “I wish someone had introduced it to me a long time ago, and I love going back to DWTS when I can, to judge or fill in on a trio dance.”

In addition to his philanthropic work, the children’s book author has also been invited to participate in next year's DWTS tour, proving dance is still a big deal in his life.  He’s delighted to have both the DWTS and Hallmark families in his life.  “You can’t have enough family in life,” he laughed.  “It just makes Thanksgiving and Christmas all the bigger!”  In January he begins conversations with Hallmark about embarking on an acting career, putting those acting classes he’s been taking to use.  “It’s about finding the right project that makes sense,” he said.  “I had an opportunity last year, but it didn’t pan out.

“I’m so glad to be in the Hallmark family for sure,” Jennings added in closing.  “I wouldn’t shy away from doing something that has a sports-related story, but I do really want to work on the craft of acting.  I’m also a helpless romantic and have written some things I’d like to see on the screen, so I’m hopeful that next year something jumps off the page.”

Project Christmas Joy  will be telecast Tuesday, December 10 at9 p.m. on Hallmark Drama.

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