Jeremiah Casteele, Brandon Cox, Nell Fortner, Thomas Rayham, Steadman Shealy, Joe Cribbs, ... What do these names have in common? Besides being famous athletes or coaches?
On Monday, June 2nd, all of them were working for Jesus in Birmingham ... and we got to help out. Of course, their 'work' was a little bit easier than our work, but we really enjoyed helping. Every year, Lifeline Children's Services in Birmingham hosts a celebrity golf tournament to raise money for their mission - giving children a hope and a future. For the past two years, we have been honored to be able to help out any way we could. Our assignments?
Connie was the organizer of the auction table and gift table (all day long, she stood watch over that football autographed by Nick Saban and didn't bid one single cent for me!) Of course, not to be partisan, there was a football autographed by Gene Chizik also. And even a basketball autographed by Nell Fortner (Auburn Women's Basketball coach). But I really had my eye on that Nick Saban ball. Thought it would be a good Father's Day present, you know. Oh well ...
Austin's job? Oh, he had the best job of the day - caddy for John Croyle, for the second straight year. If you've never met John Croyle, you've missed a blessing. He operates Big Oak Boys and Girls Ranch for kids without a home. Austin says John has 114 kids right now in his homes!
John Croyle is the most down to earth guy you will ever meet and a great role model for Austin. Austin really enjoyed his company and driving the cart for him all day. Since Austin's a golfer himself, he always knew what club John needed and was at the ready. In case you don't remember, John also played football for Alabama under Paul Bear Bryant and his son, Brodie, played at the Capstone also - a star quarterback. So, when one of the businessmen golfers teamed with John asked him to tell them his favorite Bear Bryant story, John said "Let's go ahead and put out this green, then I'll tell you at the next tee." When they got back in their individual carts, John turned to Austin and said "Quick Austin, tell me a Bear Bryant story!" Hilarious! 
My job: cart loader. In case you don't play, that means you meet the guests and celebrities at their car and retrieve their clubs and carry them to their cart. I really enjoyed this job and it seemed that I got to carry clubs for all the celebrities: Wimp Sanderson, Bobby Humphrey, Jeremiah Casteele, Stan White, Brandon Cox, Nell Fortner, Thomas Rayham (more on that one later), Steadman Shealy, and on and on.
It gave me a chance to witness also, which was greatly appreciated by Jeremiah Casteele. Thomas Rayham, a former defensive end for Alabama, laughed at me when I tried to carry his clubs for him. He's so big, that his clubs looked like toys slung over his shoulders ... and I'm gonna carry them for him. He just laughed at me! All in all though, these guys (and lady) were really enjoyable to be around. I think they enjoyed their day of golf knowing that their presence was helping a good cause. One more funny story. On the 18th fairway, there's a stream and a little bridge that found Steadman Shealy's golf ball right in front of me. When Steadman approached and asked where'd his ball go, I pointed into the stream and he laughed "Why didn't you stop it!" I'm not sure, but I think that's against the rules. Although, I am sure more rules were bent this day than adhered to judging by the laughter.
After dinner that evening, John lead the auction to raise money for Lifeline, but first, he told a room full of celebrities and significant business men and women that none of them amounted to anything if they didn't give all the glory to God. None of you is self made he told this room full of men who had always been told they were everything. And that's just the type of guy John is. All the glory to God!
"A Great Learning Moment for a Young Man."Thank you Lifeline for letting us help again with the golf fundraiser. And thank you for keeping steady with your mission of giving children a hope and a future.
Love,
Jerry, Connie, Austin, Lily Grace, and Lia Faith (and 137 celebrity golfers)
Green, Party of Five
2 comments:
Ummm...Connie didn't just man that auction table...she used her fast little texting fingers to try to sell real estate and facilitate more adoptions!! She also thought it was funny that she was inside where it was cool and you were outside in the heat (but don't tell her I told you!) LOL
Love all you Greens!
Monica
Wow...what a great day! I love watching people come together for the sake of less fortunate children.
Hugs from St. Louis!
Love,
Robin
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