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| Brenda Ross, McComb Housing Authority assistant executive director, roasts Jewel Rushing during the Boys & Girls Club’s annual banquet Thursday night. (Aaron Rhoads | Enterprise-Journal) |
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Night of honors: Boys & Girls Club honors youth, roasts Rushing
By Timothy Woerner | Enterprise-Journal
Posted: 12/05/08 - 11:20:24 am CST
The Boys & Girls Club of Southwest Mississippi held its 14th annual banquet Thursday, giving awards to youth who were club members of the month for the preceding year and an honorary roast of founder Jewel Rushing.
The dinner, featuring Southwest Mississippi Community College President Dr. Oliver Young, McComb Housing Authority Assistant Executive Director Brenda Ross, Boys & Girls Club board member Sam Hall and retired business owner Tommy Parker as roasters, included kind words for Rushing amidst the teasing — and recollections of his work to help found the organization in McComb 19 years ago.
There was teasing about Rushing’s “gaunt” backside, the time he “ran off into a bayou” while distracted by a woman in a bikini, and his boasting of how great a new hearing aid was only to respond to “What kind is it?” with the answer “2:25.”
But Rushing, who was given a hard hat and protective goggles to help take the jabs in good humor, was also praised as a hard worker with a good heart.
“As all of you know, Jewel is just a fine Christian gentleman,” Young said. “Since he closed his automotive repair shop, he’s dedicated his life to helping other people.”
“Nineteen years ago, I remember the day that he came back from a conference and he had all these great ideas,” Ross added. “It’s amazing today to see this great vision become a reality.”
“No one knows how many boards he is on or how many awards he has won,” Parker said. “Only God knows how many young people’s lives he has touched.”
But perhaps the finest praise came from Hall, who said he couldn’t roast a man he had such candidly grateful feelings towards. Hall said he remembered that every time Rushing asked him to help, he emphasized that he was trying to do something for local children. And, Hall said, it couldn’t be understated that doing so was a noble step from Rushing because the beneficiaries in need were often black children that others ignored.
“He’s probably responsible for me getting involved in everything I’ve been getting involved with in the community,” said Hall. “I found him to be a true friend. ... To him, color doesn’t matter. ... Over the years, he’s been sincere about helping those children.”
The banquet also included comments from club members on how the organization had helped them.
Youth of the Year Michael Taylor, a college freshman who graduated high school with a 3.8 GPA, quoted from memory a poem by Robert Frost and said the club had challenged him to take “the path less traveled.”
“You can either take the wrong road ... which is the road the smokers take, the drinkers, the people who drop out,” Taylor said. “Or you can take the right road.”
And club member AiJalon Barnes had similar praise for the club, recalling her trepidation to join and her thankfulness that she did.
“I felt as if I was being asked to jump on board a moving ship with first-graders at the wheel,” she said, to smiles and laughs. “I thought it was a babysitters club. I didn’t want to go.”
But Barnes said the experience had taught her valuable life lessons and kept her focused on school and away from distractions like drugs, sex and alcohol.“When a child needed somewhere to go after school or during break, the Boys & Girls Club was always there,” Barnes said, praising the club’s encouragement. “We should want to see young children go to school, get good grades and try to be something. ... There’s enough negativity in this world.”
Executive Director Randy Tate, meanwhile, thanked attendees for their support.
“You have supported me for what’s going on the last 19 years,” Tate said. “One thing that don’t cost you nothing is a thank you. ... I can’t say thank you enough for me.” for what’s going on the last 19 years,” Tate said. One thing that don’t cost you nothing is a thank you. ... I can’t say thank you enough for me.”
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Jo Ann Jones wrote on Dec 5, 2008 5:22 PM: