ABLE Youth, Inc.

FLEET ONE Appreciation Lunch

This past Wednesday ABLE Youth participants, parents, and board members thanked FLEET ONE with an "Appreciation Lunch." Thanks to Deanne Smith for her hard work in planning the event and making it happen. Fleet One has been our largest corporate sponsor and supporter for the last 4 years. The employees at Fleet One are some of the nicest, most down to earth, helpful people you could ever want to meet. ABLE Youth has been blessed by their kind spirits. Fleet One, thank you and God Bless you!

Challenge Air Allows Kids To Fly!!!

Kids from ABLE Youth and other organizations were treated to a day of food, fun, and flying. All kids attended "flight school" to learn about the various parts of a plane and how they work, then taken up in the sky with qualified volunteer pilots. The children could take over control of the plane to see what it felt like to be a pilot and learn a huge life lesson: "If you believe, anything is possible."

Walk & Roll a HUGE Success!

What a beautiful day we were blessed with to hold the 4th Annual Walk & Roll 5K and walk/roll in Centennial Park. The event benefitted League for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Progress Inc, Technology Access Center, and our very own ABLE Youth. Regina Raccuglia from WSMV Channel 4 spent the day with us and did a fabulous job as emcee. Thanks Regina!

Each organization had lots of folks run or walk in support of the event. Thanks to all 80+ volunteers who helped make this such a successful day. We could not have done this without you! See you next year!!!

MUSIC CITY THUNDER RANKED 6th IN THE NATION!

Music City Thunder wheelchair basketball team competed this weekend in the Junior National Tournament in Denver. Thunder won two games and lost two games. They played well and should be very proud of themselves. OUR VERY OWN NATHANIEL WOODARD WAS NAMED TO THE SECOND TEAM ALL TOURNAMENT TEAM... Thanks to Dan Onkst for a terrific year as coach, and to all those parents who helped make this such a successful season. WAY TO GO THUNDER!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/bdbd55   click this to view tournament photos!!!

Thunder Basketball Teams & Cheerleaders Travel to Birmingham, AL

The ball teams and cheerleaders made the trek to participate in the Lakeshore Foundation Invitational. Both the Prep team and JV played awesome, and the cheerleaders supported them with their usual flare. 

Sunday found Thunder in a fight for first place, but missed short shots kept them from winning the Championship. Morgan made 2nd Team All Tournament and Nathaniel and Jordan were named to the First Team All Tournament.

As for Prep, Doug and Chris made All Tournament, and the loudest applause was for the Sportsmanship award, given to our very own JayRod. 

I am extremely proud of all players, cheerleaders, and parents for a great weekend. It's all about the kids, and their ability to make new life experiences.

Next up is the National Tournament held in Denver next month....Stay tuned!

Belmont Basketball & Cheer Exhibition

Thunder ball players and cheerleaders were busy this week, with the exhibition on Tuesday night followed by a repeat performance tonight at Belmont University.

Ensworth HS Bball / Cheer Exhibition

Members of our Thunder basketball and cheerleading squads performed tonight at halftime. The ball team went out first and showed the crowd just what wheelchair basketball is all about, and then the cheerleaders took over. At the end of the cheer the girls received a standing ovation. I was quite impressed with the entire night, and as we all found out: do your best at all times--you NEVER know who may be watching! Great job to all those who participated. And thank you parents who brought your children. This is how we spread the ABLE Youth word and mission. God bless!

Annual Wheelchair Basketball Tournament Today & Sunday

ABLE Youth proudly hosts the 10th annual Music City Hoopfest, with players from across the southeast participating for first place. I was proud to have so many people come out and volunteer their time and talent to make the tournament such a success. Our team, Music City Thunder, played really great together as a team, with the the highlight for me coming when we beat our rival Lakeshore. And the weekend would not have been complete without our Thunder Cheerleading Squad supporting our teams. Please be sure and look in the photo album for tournament photos.

Titans Name Our DAN ONKST as Finalist for Award!

Dan Onkst, ABLE Youth Volunteer of the Year in 2008, was chosen as one of four finalists for the Tennessee Titans Community Quarterback Award. As a finalist, the Titans gave ABLE Youth $2,500.00 during a luncheon held today at LP Field. Thanks Dan, for all your hard work and endless support. And congratulations on your much deserved award!

Dan Onkst (3rd from right) shown here with other Titans Award Finalists and Titans Cheerleaders.

Fleet One Christmas Party

FLEET ONE held its' annual Christmas Party this evening. In addition to the party a silent auction was held with all proceeds to benefit ABLE Youth. Thank you Fleet One, for your continued support and dedication to these precious children!