Tennessee Titans running backs coach and legendary University of Alabama football great Sylvester Croom gave a passionate and inspirational message about overcoming obstacles to a luncheon crowd of 225 people June 27 at the Harbert Center in Birmingham.
Croom was the keynote speaker at the fundraiser for the Firehouse Shelter.
The event raised nearly $46,000 to benefit Firehouse Shelter’s seven housing programs, which serve more than 215 homeless men every night.
Croom encouraged listeners to look for opportunities to do what the Firehouse Shelter does every day—to lift up others and encourage the broken, hurting and lost.
Croom spoke of his journey to becoming the first African-American head coach in the SEC and encouraged those at the event to be persistent when crises arise. He also said his time playing under Coach Paul “Bear” Bryant taught him to prepare for every possible situation in life.
Russell McCay, former Firehouse Shelter guest, gave a touching testimony about how the Firehouse Shelter “forever changed his life” and helped him build a strong foundation that has allowed him to enroll in college, get married and serve others.
McCay got a round of applause when he announced to the crowd that he had celebrated six years of sobriety the night before the event.
Firehouse Executive Director Anne Wright, Doug Kovash, development director, and Victor Smith, board president, each shared a message on the impact the Firehouse Shelter is having on the lives of the homeless in the seven-county Birmingham metro area.
Jeh Jeh Pruitt of Fox 6 Sports was the emcee. Firehouse Shelter board members and staff worked behind the scenes to organize the luncheon.
Bradley Arant Boult Cummings served as Fire Chief Sponsor for the second straight year.
Todd Hornsby of Filament Artists videotaped the event and will post highlights on the Firehouse Shelter’s YouTube channel. Butch Ogelsby of Blue Moon Studios photographed the event.
Others attending included Mimi Chambers, Carlton Rice, David Wininger, Kelly Wallace, Angie Sanders, Bobby Humphrey, Jaylon Daniels and Anne Darden Wright.
