Royals, TickleMyRibs Announce 2015 Hometown Heroes
For the second year in a row, the Burlington Royals are proud to partner with TickleMyRibs to honor "Hometown Heroes" at Burlington Athletic Stadium. This season, the Royals will pay tribute to four everyday heroes in the Burlington community- Jeanine Patten-Coble, Mary Gorrell Jones, Faye Boswell, and Jay Smith. This quartet will enjoy a VIP day courtesy of the Royals and TickleMyRibs on Sunday, July 19 as part of the Royals' 6:00 p.m. home game against the Elizabethton Twins.
Patten-Coble is a resident of Burlington who was diagnosed with Breast Cancer in 2009. During a run on the beach, she came up with the idea of creating a cancer recovery center consisting of beach houses painted pink. Out of this idea, she created Little Pink Houses of Hope. The charity sends breast cancer patients and their families to the beach for a vacation at no cost. While there, families receive free meals and activities, and have the ability to escape the stresses of cancer by experiencing family time. Now a national foundation, Little Pink Houses of Hope has impacted lives not only in Alamance County but across the country. For her work, Patten-Coble was honored with SELF Magazine's 2014 Women Doing Good award.
Gorrell Jones is a breast cancer survivor who founded the Alight Foundation in 2005. The foundation is "dedicated to newly diagnosed breast cancer patients right here in the Piedmont Triad area." The Alight Foundation seeks to inform patients of treatment options and experiences through financial, educational and emotional resources. This foundation also provides a support group to breast cancer patients and their families. Mary's work also includes The Button Chair, a tribute to women in North Carolina who have battled breast cancer and consists of a single button from the survivors and victims. The Alight Foundation has donated extensively to the cancer center at the Moses Cone Hospital in Greensboro and works to support patients there.
Boswell is the founder of the Alamance-Caswell Hospice League. The inspiration for the League came from her countless years of being a hospice volunteer throughout the county and her desire to provide a capable, caring and compassionate environment for people in the last days of their lives. The Alamance-Caswell Hospice League now owns a home on Chapel Hill Road featuring 22 private rooms. In all, the League has cared for over 4,000 patients. In order to provide for her patients, Boswell has undertaken numerous fundraising exercises. For years, she put on the Hospice Flea Market, an annual event in Burlington that attracted thousands. Additionally, the Hospice Golf Classic has been running for 25 years, and raises over $50,000 each year. For her efforts, Boswell was named the National Hospice Volunteer of the Year in 2004.
Smith is the chief of the Burlington Fire Department. A native of Alamance County, he is an Eastern Alamance High School graduate. Smith began working with the Burlington Fire Department in 1987, and quickly was named Firefighter of the Year in 1988. He became a Fire Engineer in 1990, a Lieutenant in 1992, a Captain in 1993 and the Deputy Chief of Fire Prevention in 1995. In 2000, he became the Fire Chief of Burlington. His current duties involve managing 91 firefighters at five fire stations, with a sixth to open soon. Jay holds a Level III Fire Inspector Certification from the North Carolina Code Officials. Outside of his work, Smith volunteers with Meals on Wheels and the annual Crop Walk.
Mark your calendars to join the Royals and TickleMyRibs for this special day!
The Royals begin the 30th season of Appalachian League Baseball in Burlington on June 21st with a home exhibition game against the Kernersville Bulldogs at Burlington Athletic Stadium. From Dollar Monday Madness to Saturday Fireworks shows, this year promises fun for everyone. For tickets, visit www.burlingtonroyals.com or call (336) 222-0223.
TickleMyRibs serves "Real Carolina BBQ"-- pork, beef brisket, ribs, wings and chicken-- at their restaurant on University Drive in Burlington. Tickle My Ribs is a family owned and operated restaurant that focuses on providing great food at an affordable price, while keeping in mind what matters most: giving back to the community. TickleMyRibs gives back to community by identifying ordinary people who make positive changes and influences in Alamance County and thanking them for their efforts. Visit www.tmrbbq.net or facebook.com/TickleMyRibs to nominate a hero.