Banquet about more than football
By By Jonathan Willis
Saturday night was a special time for many people in Franklin County.
Quinn's Ranch, one of the most worthwhile causes that we have, held their annual banquet that night at Calvary Baptist Church in Russellville. People from all across the state poured in to support this event.
Quinn's Ranch, for those who might not know, is a boys home on Franklin 19 between Red Bay and Vina. Because the home is a Christ-centered residence they receive no government funding.
Quinn's Ranch founders and directors made the decision eight years ago to develop the home with a faith-based emphasis and moved forward with plans knowing that it would mean surviving off donations and fundraisers.
Well, they have more than survived. Quinn's Ranch, thanks to a caring and dedicated board of directors, house parents and director has become a home.
It is a place that has become more than just a roof, more than just a place to sleep at night or just somewhere to do homework.
For several young boys it has been a family. It has been a steady influence in their lives. It has been the place that turned their lives around.
As the program wrapped up the other night, Quinn's Ranch director Shea Lowery stepped to the podium and I quickly remembered exactly why we were there.
It wasn't just to see many of the legends that some of us have followed on the football field for years.
Guys like John Hannah, an NFL Hall of Fame lineman who Sports Illustrated called the greatest lineman to ever.
It wasn't about autographs or pictures and not even to hear old football stories. Though those things made the night special, it was really all about a little boy named Demonte and others like him.
Lowery told a story of how Demonte came to live at the ranch and how he refused to give in and live the life they expected of him.
But because those same people that Demonte refused to believe in and listen to never gave up on him, he is now encouraging other boys at the ranch and trying to help them in their own lives.
As he closed the banquet with a prayer asking that God bless the ranch, it reminded me that I need to do the same.
