(MURFREESBORO) Greenhouse Ministries' 5th Annual Game Day played to a packed Middle Tennessee Expo Center Monday night.
Co-founder Cliff Sharp told NewsRadio WGNS what activities like Game Day accomplish . . .
The big news of the evening centered around the two-story 24,000 square foot structure planed for Academy Street, directly behind the current Greenhouse location.
Chapital Campaign Chair Tracey Binkley told the gathering, "The entire project will represent a $5-million investment, and we have almost achieved the silent campaign."
That includes paying off the property, having approximately $1.1-million in pledges and $650,000 in cash.
Greenhouse Partnership Appeal Chair Dr. Russ Galloway noted, "The present building will be used for a much enlarged Garden Patch Boutique Thrift Store as well as the Greenhouse Food Bank. The new two-story structure will include office and classroom space on the first floor, while the second floor will have 17 single bedroom apartments to be rented by persons going through 17-month self-improvement programs."
During the evening Greenhouse' 12th Man Award was presented to former County Mayor Ernest Burgess and to Bettie Markham. She has given 13-thousand volunteer hours to the ministry and it was announced that the food pantry was named in her honor.
NFL Quarterback Kelly Holcomb was the special guest speaker. He shared memories of his days with the Tampa Bay Buccaneers, MTSU and Lincoln County High School. He and his family call Murfreesboro home, and his love for football and helping area youth has him as the quarterback coach at Riverdale High.
City Councilman Bill Shacklett presented a proclamation from the City of Murfreesboro to Greenhouse Ministries Co-Founders Cliff and Jane Sharp. After that, State Senator Dawn White along with Senator Shane Reeves, along with State Representatives Tim Rudd, Mike Sparks, and Dr. Bryan Terry honored the Sharp's with a legislative proclamation.
The husband and wife team's love for Murfreesboro started at the 140-unit Franklin Heights federal housing project. The Sharps taught GED and computer classes to adults and provided childcare for their children. They built strong relationships of trust and support with those residents.
Through this work, they noticed a gap in services to single moms and the working poor. These groups struggled to meet the basic daily needs of their families, but worked full-time and made too much money to qualify for any assistance from government programs.
Cliff and Jane saw a community with no hope, and they started Greenhouse Ministries to serve those who were being overlooked and underserved--with a goal of giving hope. Twenty-years later, that service continues to grow.
For more information about Greenhouse Ministries, visit their website: www.greenhousemin.org or phone them at 615-494-0499. Greenhouse is open Tuesday through Friday from 9:00AM to 4:00PM.