3
May 30, 2015
South Louisville finds
Derby and doughnuts
go together perfectly
For at least one week and the first
Saturday in May, Louisville, Kentucky
becomes the center of the universe
as the city prepares for the running
of the Kentucky Derby. Inside the
media tent on the famed “backside” of
Churchill Downs you’ll find at least a
dozen local and national media outlets,
their anchors all decked out in Derby
attire, not to mention some Hollywood
celebrities who share space with horse
trainers, jockeys and some of the wellknown horse owners.
There you’ll also find Francis Phillips
and Frances Brooks, who work at The
Salvation Army’s South Louisville
Corps. Since 2001, the corps has set up
shop inside the tent, providing muchneeded and appreciated coffee, Krispy
Kreme doughnuts and a smile during
Derby week at the Salvation Army
table.
Phillips said the coffee and
doughnuts were a big hit. “We start
brewing the coffee around 5:00 a.m.,
and to be quite honest, we can’t make
it fast enough; some even try to sneak
a cup as it’s brewing.” In the four
hours they spend each day during
Derby week they go through 100 dozen
assorted doughnuts and an untold
number of gallons of hot coffee.
“They all really appreciate us being
there,” Brooks said. “Every year we
come, folks tell us how glad they are
to see us and for the work that The
Salvation Army does. It makes me feel
really good.”
The South Louisville Corps sits in
the shadow of Churchill Downs just a
few blocks away, and it’s been a very
good partnership from the beginning,
said Captain Matt Trayler, the corps
officer. “Obviously it’s a blessing for
The Salvation Army to have that kind
of visibility each year and to be able to
connect with so many people, but this
week is critical for the corps because
of how much is brought in through
donations and what Churchill Downs
pays us for volunteers.”
The corps nets about $5,000 by the
end of the week, which helps fund
men’s, women’s and senior programs
Frances Brooks and Francis Phillips are the Army’s doughnut distributors in the media
tent at Louisville’s Churchill Downs during Kentucky Derby week.
throughout the year. “Men’s camp
registration is $95 and some just can’t
afford it,” said Captain Trayler, “but
because of our Derby week outreach,
we can cover that for at least four or five
men. We’re just extremely grateful and
blessed to have this partnership.”
David Yarmuth
South Atlanta Kroc teams give Dr. J a show
The Salvation Army Ray and Joan
Kroc Corps Community Center in
Atlanta recently hosted over 500 guests
for the Seventh Annual Dr. J Basketball
Tournament.
Former ABA and NBA great Julius
“Dr. J” Erving lends his name to the
event and attends the tournament to
show his support for The Salvation
Army. Erving’s strong connection
with The Salvation Army stems from
his time growing up in Long Island,
New York, and playing basketball at a
local Boys & Girls Club. One of his first
coaches was a volunteer coach named
Don Ryan at the Hempstead Salvation
Army.
Each year Ryan brings two of his
All-Star teams from the Hempstead
Salvation Army to Atlanta to match
up against two local All-Star South
Atlanta Kroc teams. The Hempstead
All-Stars brought an impressive squad
of young teenagers again this year. The
visitors were previously undefeated
at the South Atlanta Kroc, but history
was on the side of the home teams this
year. Both Kroc All-Star teams wrestled
victory from the visitors and the
results of the games were cause for an
especially vocal crowd who urged on
Dr. J (left rear) is shown with the Kroc All Star Team B, Coach Daniel Towns and Captain Chris Lyles (right rear).
and Luke Walker were especially
their hometown teens.
proud of their young men and their
In the first game, Noah Smith and
sportsmanship in victory.
Immanuel Alexander led their team
Additionally, for the first time in the
to a 52-34 blowout over the visiting
history of the event, South Atlanta Kroc
Hempstead squad. Likewise, game
welcomed special guest Ryan Cameron
two saw a contest that was never really
who is the in-game announcer for the
in question. The South Atlanta Kroc
Atlanta Hawks. Cameron added extra
A-team All-Stars finished with a 45-35
value and excitement to the event by
victory behind the efforts of Grant
not only handling player introductions,
Summers, who finished with 12 points.
but giving in-game commentary,
Kroc Atlanta Coaches Daniel Towns
energizing and encouraging the crowd
and then interviewing Dr. J between the
two games.
During the interview, Dr. J
expressed his thankfulness for The
Salvation Army and its programs and
specifically mentioned the importance
that Don Ryan played in his life.
Ryan and Erving shared an emotional
embrace and some hearty laughs
throughout the interview and evening.
After the game, a private banquet
dinner was held for the players and
their families. Dr. J shared more about
his background and encouraged young
people to seek out mentor relationships.
Trophies were presented to the winning
teams, and five players were selected
for their individual performance. These
players were selected by Erving and
were named to the “All Dr. J Team”
and were Noa