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The Pat on Sports: It
is time to fund a Boys and Girls Club
BY PATRICK PEBLEY
This weekend I made a trip to Wal-Mart to pick up supplies
(don’t ask). On my way out a nice lady asked me
to buy a raffle ticket for a dirt bike.
Being a sucker for both gambling and charity I bought
one and asked her what the money went to. She told me
that a group had been set up to establish a local Boys
and Girls Club.
I thought this to be a wonderful idea. I wrote many
times in the Times that we needed more recreation around
here for the youth. This would be an excellent step
n that direction.
I continued my conversation with her and found out
that the local group had to raise $50,000 in "seed
money" before the national organization would start
sending funds. This seems to be a reasonable goal to
me.
It wasn’t long ago that the folks in Scott County
funded a Boys and Girls Club and it is a great facility.
I know that if Scott County can fund one we can. There
are a lot of good people there but they do not have
nearly the amount of money coming into the county that
we do. They just happen to be a bit more generous. I
know there are several local businessmen that could
invest some in the future generations and not miss it.
In fact it wouldn’t hurt every marina in this
tourism heavy county to donate $1,000 to the cause.
That would add up quick. It certainly wouldn’t
hurt tourism if people knew we had such a nice facility
in the area.
Of course such a facility would also pay dividends
in businesses looking to locate in the county. One of
the first thing executives look at is what kind of school
system a community has and what kind of activities and
facilities they have for the kids. Once again I point
out that funding this facility is a no-brainer.
Most importantly it can be a positive place in a community
where news about meth is the norm. It will give kids
a place to go and things to do rather than get mixed
up in drugs. Not long ago the City of LaFollette took
some steps into improving their recreation programs.
Adding a Boys and Girls Club in Jacksboro or Caryville
would benefit the kids that can’t make it up to
the facilities LaFollette offers.
I want to encourage everybody out there to give a little
money when you see these folks out. They have some events
coming up that I will advertise next week including
a 3 on 3-basketball tournament and a singing and auction.
Both of these will be fun filled family events and will
aid a great cause.
Get behind this folks. The future depends on it.
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