Toys inducted into NAACP Heritage Hall of Fame

Mrs. Henry D. and Genara Toy of Mountain Home were honored Friday with induction into the Treasure Valley NAACP Heritage Hall of Fame, during the organizations annual Freedom Fund Banquet.

Henry Toy was born in Tchula, Mississippi on Oct. 16, 1938, the eldest of three children born to Daniel and Alma Toy (both deceased).

He is married to the former Genara Johnson of Lexington, Mississippi and the two have four children Veronica, H. David Jr., Maury and Mary. They also adopted Mrs. Toy's youngest sister, Bettie Jo, and her daughter, Aquarius, and have two grandchildren, Clayton Henry and Calista Elise.

Upon graduating from Milston High School, Tchula, Miss., Henry enlisted in the United States Air Force and completed Basic Military Training at Lackland Air Force Base, Texas. After Basic Training, he attended the Organizational Supply Technical School at F.E. Warren Air Force Base, Wyo., and graduated as head of his class in October 1957. He went on to provide distinguished service to the nation during his 27 years in the United States Air Force. He honorably retired as a Chief Master Sergeant in November 1984 and retired for a second time from Lockheed Martin in 2001.

Toy is the recipient of numerous distinctions, awards and honors through each of his careers.

Since retirement, Toy's community service and involvement has increased two-fold.

He is a Board of Trustees Member at the First Congregational Church of Mountain Home, a Board of Directors Member for the Elmore County Medical Center Foundation, a member of the Chamber of Commerce of Mountain Home, a member of the chamber's Military Affairs Committee, a Life Member of the Disabled American Veterans and a Life Member of the Air Force Sergeants Association.

He also is a Mason, a member of Sabre Lodge No. 7 (PHA). He has served as the Junior Warden, president of the Master/Study's Club, and as Worshipful Grand Pursuivant.

Toy is a Life Member of the NAACP-Treasure Valley Branch and has provided "tremendous service as the committee chairman for the Political Action Committee and Veteran Affairs," according to the citation read at the banquet. "His hard work has been invaluable to the last four presidents of the branch. He is always willing to move projects and events forward to completion."

His wife, Genara Toy, was born and raised in Lexington, Miss. She is the second of 11 children born to the late Clarence and Mary Alice Johnson. She and Henry have been married for 44 years.

Before marrying and touring the world as a military wife, Mrs. Toy received her secondary education from Mileston Vocational High School, Tchula, Miss., and earned an Associates Degree in Ele- mentary Education from Mississippi Valley State University, Itta Bena, Miss. She furthered her education by completing over 200 hours of training with In-Service Special Education services.

Her focus has always been in early childhood development and special education.

Genara is a member of the National Education Association (INMA) and the Idaho Education Association (IEA) and has been an elected delegate and represent- ative for the State of Idaho and City of Mountain and has completed IEA Minority Leadership Training. She is also a member of the Mountain Home Education Association.

The Toy family transferred from Bitburg Air Base, West Germany, to Mountain Home Air Force Base in March 1981, and Genara and Henry have called Mountain Home home ever since.

Having spent the past 25 years in Mountain Home, Genara has been a visible and active member in the community, first as an AFEES employee for 13 years, and as an educator for the Mountain Home School District for over 10 years.

Some of the most important and rewarding work Genara has performed is with special needs children and adults through Community Partnerships of Idaho. She has been with the organization since 1996. At Community Partnerships, Genara has worked one-on-one with numerous physically and mentally challenged children and adults, and "each and every one of them holds a special place in her heart," her citation read. "With Genara's patience, love, and gentle voice, she teaches life skills such as feeding, toileting, dressing, and personal hygiene, as well as simple tasks, including basic reading and math (shape, letter and number recognition).

Genara not only works with the physically and mentally challenged, she also works with their families on their children's goals to encourage the same education programs in the home.

In addition to her work in the school district, and with Community Partnerships, she also makes time to volunteer at the First Congregational Church, where she is a long-standing Deaconate Board and Women's Fellowship member.

She is also a member of the Enlisted Spouses Club (ESC) and holds the position of Chairperson for the ESC Scholastic Scholarship Program. Their focus is on students residing in the Mountain Home School District.

Genera has been honored by multiple organizations presenting her with numerous plaques and certificates for her dedication and hard work in community service and outstanding citizenship. Several years ago she was honored with the Mountain Home Community Black History Committee Thurgood Marshall Distinguished and Dedicated Service Award.

Genara is a lifetime member of the Treasure Valley NAACP and has been an active member for over 20 years. "Her consistent work, diligence and follow-through are just a few of the reasons the Treasure Valley Branch has continued to be thrive," according to her citation.

She is currently the sitting branch treasurer, a position she has held for 10 years.