When it seems that much of the news is negative, it's uplifting to get positive word about today's youth from Coach Andy Herzer, founder of the local First Shot program. He told the Murfreesboro Rotary Club that First Shot's Spring Break Basketball Camp was mentoring 70 at-risk local youth.
Preparing for their future
The weeklong program does not cost participants anything, but it shows them that there are people who care about their future. Herzer explained that individuals and groups make donations to cover the costs involved in running the camps during school breaks in the spring, summer and fall.
Coach Herzer said, "They love the basketball, but in order to play--students must be active in math, reading, music and dance groups that occur during the weeks of the program."
Two different events are scheduled in a few weeks that help to cover the expenses involved in running the program tuition-free for the participants.
Sneaker Ball
The fourth annual Sneaker Ball is set for Tuesday night, April 30th, at the Embassy Suites Hotel and Conference Center. A reception is at 6:00PM that night and the dinner and program are at 7:00. Sports memorabilia will be auctioned off, plus UT Head Men's Basketball Coach Cuonzo Martin will deliver a motivational message.
Golf Scramble
Then three-days later, there are morning and afternoon rounds with The Golf Scramble at Champion's Run in the Rockvale community.
To learn more about the 501 (c) (3) non-profit First Shot program, phone Kendra Cooke, 615-207-7852, or visit their website http://firstshotbasketball.net/.
You never know . . .
It's interesting how things turn out. At the end of the talk, Rotary President Kent Syler presented Herzer with a certificate showing that a donation had been made in his name to Rotary International's "Polio Plus" program.
Herzer, visibly moved (see photo above), revealed that his father was a longtime Rotarian in Indiana and he did not have a grasp of the organization's involvement in helping and caring for others until witnessing what happened at the local meeting on Tuesday. He also said, ironically, that his beloved Uncle Ike was a victim of polio.
