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Ex-Titan Brad Hopkins to beef up Steak & Burger benefit
NFL vet applauds Boys & Girls Club
By BONNIE BURCH • Staff Writer • April 4, 2008
FRANKLIN — Former Tennessee Titan Brad Hopkins, who will serve as
master of ceremonies for tonight's Steak & Burger Dinner, got a preview of the
night's musical offerings. During a pre-event visit Tuesday, the retired
football player was serenaded with "Old Time Religion," courtesy of a few
melodious members of the Boys & Girls Club of Williamson County.
Hopkins last year participated in the dinner's activities, including a
celebrity roast for former teammate Eddie George. This year, Hopkins takes the
reins.
"It's great to see the kids in this program. The Boys & Girls Club does so
many good things in the community, giving kids a place to come and belong,"
Hopkins said.
After the short vocal presentation, several club members gathered around
the past NFL Pro Bowler to give him high fives, shake hands and clamor for
autographs. Nine-year-old Dimitri Thomas looked to be on cloud nine after
walking away with a sheet of notebook paper that contained Hopkins' signature
and a note addressed specifically to the youngster.
"Yes, ma'am," Dimitri said enthusiastically when asked if he was a Titans
fan.
Watching the proceedings was the dinner's professional musical guest.
Christian recording artist Jme Medina has long been a supporter of the club's
goals of serving at-risk children and youth with positive activities, social
outlets and safe experiences. When she was a youngster, she was a Boys & Girls
Club member.
"I'm really passionate about the club and really happy to donate my time.
The main thing they do is that the club educates children on things like the
importance of keeping healthy. It's things they can use in everyday life, but
there is also a lot of focus on respect and morals," Medina said.
As is family tradition, Medina's two children, Jesalyn, 9, and Jaden, 6,
are also Boys & Girls Club members.
"They love it. They want to live here," she said.
WKRN-Channel 2 reporter Brad Schmitt will help Hopkins during the live
auction portion of the evening.
Live and silent auctions feature items from a signed football jersey from
former Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Randall Cunningham, to autographed CDs
from Trisha Yearwood and Toby Keith and a gingerbread-house-making party for
six.
Contact Bonnie Burch at 771-5421 or
bburch@tennessean.com.
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photo: FILE
Restaurants line the CoolSprings Galleria during the 2007
Taste of Cool Springs, set for this Sunday, April 6, at the
Galleria. More than 45 restaurants are set to participate.
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Wild Weekend - Celebrate for
good causes Friday, Saturday and Sunday
By VALERIE NUTT, Staff Writer
vnutt@williamsonherald.com
Williamson County has a reputation for knowing how to have a
good time while giving back to the community.
This weekend three annual events will continue that tradition,
providing the community with world-class food, entertainment and
philanthropy.
Friday at 6:30 p.m. the Boys & Girls club will hold the 19th
annual Steak & Burger Dinner, an event where the kids eat better
than the adults.
“This is national Boys & Girls Club week and we’re excited to
have Sen. Jack Johnson coming to present member awards,” said
Executive Director of the Boys & Girls Club of
Franklin/Williamson County Denise Carothers.
Former Tennessee Titan Brad Hopkins hosts an evening of food,
entertainment, and the evening’s main event, a live and silent
auction benefiting the Boys & Girls Club of Williamson County.
Auction highlights include a signed jersey from former
Philadelphia Eagles quarterback Randall Cunningham, autographed
CDs from country music artists like Trisha Yearwood, Toby Keith,
Shania Twain, and Alan Jackson, local author Donna VanLiere’s
Christmas Hope series, wine, massages, manicures, gift
certificates, and more.
An evening of entertainment will include performances by James
Medina, and several special performances from club members,
including a gospel medley, nationally acclaimed clog dancer and
a musical group.
“Our summer program kicks off in July,” Carothers said. “The
funds raised at the dinner always go to fund that.”
Tickets to the Steak & Burger Dinner are $100 per person and
available by calling the Boys & Girls Club at 794-4800 or online
at www.bgcfwc.org.
Saturday the county keeps on giving back with the 2008
Williamson County Child Advocacy Center (CAC) Legacy Ball at
Embassy Suites in Cool Springs.
This year lead sponsor First Tennessee Bank will again host the
Tuscan-themed black tie affair, an evening of dinner, dancing
and auctions benefiting the Franklin-based agency.
“We have some incredible stuff up for auction,” Executive
Director Kelly O’Connor said.
“The most unique thing is the first Legacy Quilt auction going
on now at First Tennessee bank on the Franklin Square.”
The Legacy Quilt is the first project of the Friends of the
Child Advocacy Center and will be on display at First Tennessee
through Friday where early bids may be placed. A live auction of
the quilt will conclude at Saturday’s event and include early
bids.
The CAC works to combat child abuse by coordinating services to
children and their families in crisis and providing community
education focused on prevention and early intervention.
Last year’s event raised nearly $40,000 to help continue and
expand free services provided to victims of abuse. In 2007 the
center provided over 800 services to their clients, including
368 new clients.
“We rely heavily on the funds we raise at this event,” O’Connor
said. “This year we expanded to include counseling services.
Every service we offer is free of charge.”
Individual tickets to Saturday’s event are $95. Please call at
778-0757 to purchase tickets or for more information.
Sunday, April 6 both floors of CoolSprings Galleria will be
transformed into a dining extravaganza when more than 45 area
restaurants and caterers serve up food to benefit United Way of
Williamson County.
Prizes will be up for grabs and entertainment will last through
the night with music from event favorite, local piano man Ron
Shuff, the returning Brentwood High School Jazz Band, and new
acts, country music artist Michelle Murray and singer/songwriter
Erin James.
United Way of Williamson County formed in 1961. Today they work
with 35 community agencies like the J. L. Clay Senior Center,
The Arc of Williamson County, My Friends House, local Boy Scout
troops, and more to provide community services.
“We have a lot of new restaurants participating this year,”
Marketing and Communications Manager Cheryl Stewart said. “One,
Wild Ginger, hasn’t even opened yet.”
This year’s menu ranges from soft serve, frozen yogurt from TCBY
to Cuban roasted pork from Saffire and everything in between.
“Each agency that sells tickets gets to keep a percentage of
their sales,” Stewart said. “The rest of the money we raise will
go into our allocation fund to be distributed.”
For a full list of participating restaurants and for ticket
locations visit www.tasteofcoolsprings.com. Tickets are $35 in
advance and $40 at the door.
Posted on: 4/3/2008 |
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Things to Do: Burger dinner brings out steaks and stars
Here's one event where spot at kids table is for VIPs
By BONNIE BURCH • Staff Writer • March 30, 2008
FRANKLIN — Notables including a former Tennessee Titan, a state senator
and a Christian music star will be on hand Friday for the Steak & Burger
Dinner to benefit the Boys & Girls Club. One might suspect they're attracted
by thick slabs of beef served hot off the grill, but only the kids who attend
get steak. Adults will dine on the burgers through a 19-year tradition that is
strictly enforced.
Still, mature patrons are coming out in force to support the nonprofit that
serves Franklin and Williamson County at-risk children and youth.
Football player and retired Tennessee Titan Brad Hopkins will emcee the
event while entertainment will be provided by Franklin-based Christian musical
artist Jme Medina and club members. State Sen. Jack Johnson will present the
club's Youth of the Year award and WKRN-Channel 2 entertainment reporter Brad
Schmitt will be host of the live auction.
There also will be a silent auction featuring memorabilia from local sports
and music personalities.
Dinner starts at 6:30 p.m. at the Embassy Suites hotel in Cool Springs.
Tickets are $100 each and can be bought online at
http://bgcfwc.org or by
calling 794-4800.
Franklin Planning Commission - Thursday, Feb.
28
(Williamson AM Sunday March 2, 2008)
Commission approves new Boys & Girls Club
Planning commissioners unanimously approved a conceptual plan for a new Boys &
Girls Club facility on a vacant lot at Granbury and Academy streets. The lot is
part of the former Battle Ground Academy campus and now considered part of
Academy Park. The facility would be next to homes and across the street from
Williamson County's gymnasium building. — RACHEL STULTS, STAFF WRITER
Boys & Girls Club Youth of the Year planning for their futures
By CAROLE ROBINSON, Staff Writer
crobinson@williamsonherald.com
Three truly exceptional young men and women have been selected for the
Boys & Girls Club of Franklin and Williamson County’s highest honor — the
Youth of the Year for 2008. The three youths are Victor Sawyers and Terrance
Steele from Franklin and Mandy Mollette from Fairview.
Mollette, Sawyers and Steele are among hundreds of local Youth of the Year,
who for more than 60 years have been selected across the country and
recognized for their sound character, leadership skills and willingness to
give back to the community. The title also acknowledges the recipient’s
outstanding contributions to family, school, community and the Club as well
their ability to overcome personal challenges and obstacles.
“Each of these young people is extraordinary,” said Denise Carothers,
executive director of the Boys & Girls Club of Franklin/Williamson County.
“Amanda is a very energetic young lady who love working with the younger
club members. T.J. has grown into a respectful young man with some lofty
goals and Victor, who is very well mannered, is very much into making a
difference at school and at the Boys & Girls Club. I am very proud of each
of them and know they will represent their respective clubs well.”
This year’s trio will be honored in a special ceremony during the Boys &
Girls Club’s annual Steak & Burger dinner on April 4 at the Embassy Suites.
Senator Jack Johnson will give the awards to three shining examples of
Williamson County’s youth.
Victor Sawyers
Victor Sawyers, the son of Tameka Sawyers, is an eighth-grader at Freedom
Middle School and has been a member of the Boys & Girls Club since he was 9
years old.
“It’s a fun place to be,” he said. “There are lots of activities and they
help us with our homework. It keeps us out of trouble.”
Victor, who wants to be real estate agent and sell “big houses” and work in
sports management, enjoys club programs such as Money Matters and Job Ready,
which are preparing him for his future and his chosen careers.
With 11 children in his family, Victor likes to play baseball and plans to
attend the University of Tennessee.
“My mom is happy for me,” he said.
He is “doing well in school,” according to Victor, but according to his Club
director, David Swingler, Victor is an A student who was recently chosen
Student of the Month at his school and has been a Youth of the Month at the
Club several times over the past six years he has been a member.
“He gets along well with other club members and has been on the honor roll
since he became a Boys & Girls Club member,” Swingler said.
He participates is the Keystone Club, a small group leadership club and his
favorite subject is math because he “likes solving problems.”
“He wants to have his own business,” said Swingler.
Victor said he believes he was chosen Youth of the Year in the Youth
Division because he is respectful and helpful.
“I am respectful and I help out when people need help,” Victor said. “I’m
doing well in school – I’m a good role model.”
T.J. Steele
While most of his peers are still trying to decide what they want to do with
their life, Terrance (T.J.) Steele, the son of Delois and Terry Steele, is a
junior at Centennial High and he has all ready mapped out his future.
According to T.J., that future begins with a Bachelor’s degree in sociology
and one in mass communication.
But that’s not all.
“I want to get a Master’s degree in Business Administration,” he said. “I
dream of being the CEO of a Fortune 500 company.”
He is looking at companies like AT&T, Apple Inc., and Target.
If he doesn’t get the CEO job, he has a back-up plan. He wants to be on the
radio as a current events talk show host and eventually own his own radio
station.
“I’m a planner,” he said.
T.J. has been a member of the Boy’s & Girls Club since he was 6 years old.
When he was 14 he decided he wanted to become a staff person so he started
volunteering logging more than 2,000 hours and demonstrating a lot of
leadership capabilities, said William Booker, Teen Director at the Franklin
club.
“He really gets along with the other club members and shows genuine concern
with their grades and what they are doing in general.”
This year he became a part time staff person – with pay.
He keeps returning to the Club because, “I like the environment at the Club
and the people who can help us further our ambitions and career,” he said.
“I thank the people here at the Boys & Girls Club because they prepared me
for what I want to do. They motivated me. They come to school to talk to the
teachers – that’s the best part of the club – they follow up. You can talk
about family, you can tell them issues and what’s going on - they listen,
they care.”
When he gets his job as a CEO or owns his radio station, T.J. said he would
remember his community and the Boys & Girls Club with his time, large
donations and scholarships, “because they gave so much to me. I’ll always
have time for the Boys & Girls Club.”
Amanda Mollette
Amanda “Mandy” Mollette, the daughter of Emily Mollette Wade and Steve Wade,
is an eighth-grader at Fairview Middle School. She is the first Youth of the
Year at the newly created Fairview Club and has set a very high standard for
future winners, said Fairview Director Tamara Peay.
“She loves her club, she loves her community and she likes being a role
model to the younger kids,” Peay said.
Her family moved to Fairview a couple years ago and because Mandy was
painfully shy, she was having a hard time making friends.
Mandy has been a member of the club since it opened a year ago, she said.
Her mom signed her up for the club’s summer camp.
“It brought me out of my shell,” she said. “I started being friends with the
kids, I opened up and became friends with adults, too. Now I have a lot of
friends”
And she is far from shy.
Mandy now helps other members of the club by teaching and being a peer
counselor with the Smart Moves program.
“I help Miss Jessie take care of the kids,” she said. “Because I am closer
in age I teach them what drugs can do to you and how they affect their
life.”
She is an A student in school who plans to go to Vanderbilt’s School of
Nursing when she graduates. She is president of the Keystone Club, a
community service and activity group.
“This is a great honor and a great self-esteem builder,” said her mother.
“(The Boys & Girls Club) teaches kids the right moves to make in life, in a
safe environment where they can enjoy other children.”
Posted on: 2/21/2008 |
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Fairview teen named Boys & Girls Club Youth of the Year
( from the Fairview Observer)
Amanda Mollette, Terrance “T.J.” Steele and Victor
Sawyers are true examples of extraordinary young men and women.
This dynamic trio haven been selected Youth of the Year for the Boys & Girls
Club of Franklin/Williamson County's Fairview location, Franklin Location and
Teen Center location.
Mollette, Steele, and Sawyers are among hundreds of local Youth of the Year
winners across the country recognized by Boys & Girls Clubs of America (BGCA)
for sound character, leadership skills and willingness to give back to the
community.
Being named Youth of the Year is the highest honor a Boys & Girls Club member
can receive. The title recognizes outstanding contributions to a member's
family, school, community and Boys & Girls Club, as well as personal challenges
and obstacles overcome. This program was founded over 60 years ago through the
generosity of the Reader's Digest Foundation.
Amanda Mollette, the daughter of Emily Mollette Wade and
Steve Wade, is a seventh grade student at Fairview Middle School. Amanda aspires
to be a nurse and serves as a peer counselor at the Fairview club.
T.J Steele, the son of Delois and Terry Steele, is a junior at Centennial High.
T.J. plans to major in business management at Lipscomb University. An eleven
year member of the Franklin Boys & Girls Club, he is now employed by the club as
a Smart Moves peer counselor. He also was the 2005 Youth of the year for the
Franklin Club. Victor Sawyers, the son of Tameka Sawyers, is an eighth grade
student at Freedom Middle School. Victor would someday like to be a real estate
agent as well as work in sports management. “Each of these young people is
extraordinary,” said Denise Carothers, Executive Director of the Boys & Girls
Club of Franklin/Williamson County. “Amanda is a very energetic young lady who
loves working with the younger club members.
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“T.J. has grown into a respectful young man with some lofty
goals, and Victor, who is very well mannered, is very much into making a
difference at his school and the Boys & Girls Club. “I am very proud of each of
them and know they well represent their respective clubs well.”
In February, Mollette, Steele and Sawyers will compete against Youth of the year
nominees in Nashville for the Boys & Girls Clubs of Middle Tennessee Youth of
the Year title.
This winner will go on to compete at the state level in April. If either of the
three were to win at the state level, then he or she will compete for the title
of Southeast Region Youth of the Year and win a $10,000 scholarship. The five
regional winners will advance to Washington, D.C., in September 2008 to compete
for the title of BGCA's National Youth of the Year.
The National Youth of the Year receives an additional $15,000 college
scholarship and is installed by the President in an Oval Office ceremony.
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