TEC raises $1,500 for Second Harvest Food Bank

  • Published
  • By Master Sgt. Mavi Smith
  • The I.G. Brown Air National Guard Training and Education Center
Servicemembers from The I.G. Brown Air National Guard Training and Education Center presented a check for $1,500 to the Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee at its distribution center in Knoxville on Sept. 9.

The Training and Education Center raised the funds at their 2009 Clod Classic golf tournament which was held at Lambert Acres Golf Club in Maryville on Aug. 7. 

The Clod Classic is an annual event that brings the staff and friends of the Training and Education Center together for a day of fun in support of a worthy cause. 

"Giving back to the community is at the heart of what we do as Guardsmen," said Col. Richard B. Howard, commander of the Training and Education Center. "This year's event was a resounding success thanks to the many contributors and players who donated time and money for the Second Harvest Food Bank." 

More than 72 golfers, many of who had a military connection, competed in this year's tournament. They included Training and Education Center staff members from the enlisted professional military education, commander's action group, transformative education and television branches as well as members of the 134th Air Refueling Group. Also in attendance were special friends such as musical performing artist James Rogers, whose song "I Guard America" was adopted as the official theme song for the National Guard in 1997, and WBIR TV anchorman John Becker, who produces "Service and Sacrifice," a series focused on the lives and challenges of East Tennessee veterans. 

Special thanks went to the East Tennessee Military Association Federal Credit Union, Eagle Distributing Company and Master Sgt. Sam Daugherty, the event coordinator and a member of the transformative education branch, for their contributions in making this year's tournament a success. 

With the bulk purchasing power of 3 meals per dollar, the $1,500 raised will allow the Second Harvest Food Bank to purchase 4,500 meals for those in need. 

Second Harvest Food Bank of East Tennessee is part of a national network of food banks called Feeding America. Second Harvest of East Tennessee serves 18 counties in East Tennessee, delivering food as far west as Crossville and as far East at Gatlinburg. Second Harvest distributes food to roughly 140,000 hungry people every month through a network of Partner Agencies throughout East Tennessee. These agencies are non-profit organizations dedicated to feeding the hungry and include church pantries, shelters, group homes, local kitchens, after-school program sites, rehabilitation centers and many others.