Butch JonesThe hour was growing late at Tuesday night’s Boys & Girls Clubs’ Stake ‘N Burger Dinner at The Chattanoogan hotel. Tennessee football coach Butch Jones’ inspiring talk was over. Outside, ominous storm clouds grew darker and the wind grew fiercer.
But Boys & Girls board member John Shulman had unfinished business with the crowd of 600 or more. There was much money to be raised if the organization was to feed all the youngsters it needs to feed at its four locations over 45 hot summer days.
So the former University of Tennessee at Chattanooga basketball coach began asking for donations of $5,000, which is what it costs to supply one meal and two snacks for all the kids who’ll visit those four units for one week this summer.
Because the great Gordon L. Smith Jr. was the only one to pledge that amount, Shulman swiftly dropped the donation request to $3,000.
“Put me down for $3,000,” said Jones, drawing a huge ovation from the crowd and a hug from the former boss of the Mocs.