By Thomas Sellers Jr.
With the second wave of COVID-19 well underway, the organizers of Shelby-Tipton Young Life came up with an idea for outreach, gratitude and awareness as replacement for the normal sit-down banquet.
The 2020 Young Life Banquet still took place at the Millington Crosspointe Church but the doors of the facility never opened to the public. Instead invited guests stayed in their motorized vehicles and picked up a mobile meal headed out by Young Life volunteers wearing masks and gloves.
Several children who have benefited from Young Life and attend events held balloons along the path for drivers. Area director Blake Spurgeon said he was glad to see the unity and outpouring from those working the Drive-Thru Banquet and the guest who popped in to get a meal and a quick spiritual boost.
The meal was catered by ‘Oh Grate Catering’ featuring cookies and a chicken spaghetti. Other goodies were provided in the bag for motorists.
A banner recognized sponsors Patriot Bank, Bethany Huffman CPA, an-i.v., Boatwright Pharmacy, Home Superior Products, Reed Family Dentistry and Commodore Village. Young Life is a non-denominational Christian outreach program for teenagers.
Spurgeon is in his second year as area director after starting in the organization in Jackson a dozen of years ago. Spurgeon works with staff and volunteers of Shelby-Tipton Young Life at schools like Tipton-Rosemark Academy, Arlington High School and Millington Central High School.
Young Life is a religious organization based in Colorado Springs, Colo. The organization was started in Dallas in 1941 by Presbyterian minister Jim Rayburn. Young Life operates globally using several different organizations with different focuses.
For those interested in donating or contributing to Shelby-Tipton Young Life call at 215-4481 or email us at [email protected].
