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Contact: Peter Poon Kwong, [email protected]
Heroes, Songwriters, and Supporters Come Together to Raise critical funds for Youth in Spring Hill
(Pictured left to right: Club Kids Avery, Youth of the Year Winner Kelsey J., Singer Ivey Campbell, Singer Walker Hayes, Club Kids Andy, Junior and Natalyn)
Spring Hill, TN — The Boys & Girls Clubs of South Central Tennessee hosted an unforgettable evening at the UAW Hall in Spring Hill, where more than 250 community members gathered to celebrate youth, music, and local leadership during the 2025 Heroes and Songwriters Celebration.
The event brought together 11 Hero of the Year candidates, three acclaimed musicians, and hundreds of supporters in a powerful show of community spirit and commitment to local youth. From 6 to 9 p.m., guests enjoyed inspirational stories from Club members, an acoustic songwriter’s round featuring Grammy-nominated artist Walker Hayes, and the much-anticipated announcement of this year’s Hero of the Year.
(Event attendees pour into UAW Hall in Spring Hill, TN for the Songwriter and Heroes Celebration)
Leading up to the celebration, each of the 11 Hero candidates—local business leaders, educators, and advocates—participated in a six-week fundraising campaign Spring Hill Hero of the Year, to support programming for Club Sites at Battle Creek Elementary School, Battle Creek Middle School, Spring Hill Elementary School and Spring Hill Middle School. Collectively, their efforts generated vital resources to strengthen the Club’s current offerings and help realize the long-term vision of establishing a permanent Club facility in Spring Hill.
(The Columbia Cheer Squad greeted event attendees with an energetic and spirited welcome cheer)
As attendees arrived, they were welcomed by cheers from the Club’s youth cheer squad and acoustic music by local artist Ivery Campbell. Inside the hall, guests gathered around tables of ten and enjoyed a vibrant assortment of finger foods from favorite local spots including Applebee’s, Puckett’s, Rock N’ Roll Sushi, Frankie’s Pizza & Grill, Marco’s Pizza, Costa Vida, and Beef-A-Roo.
(Pictured left to right: CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of South Central Tennessee Ginny Wright, and Club Kid emcee Junior C.)
Club member and youth emcee Junior Crotts kicked off the evening with heartfelt energy, introducing Ginny Wright, CEO of Boys & Girls Clubs of South Central Tennessee. Wright shared a compelling vision for the Club’s expansion in Spring Hill and the transformational role the Club plays in shaping young lives. That impact was brought to life through remarks by Kelsey J., the 2025 Youth of the Year for South Central Tennessee, who spoke about managing life with diabetes and the strong sense of community she’s found at the Club.
One of the evening’s most moving moments came as each Hero candidate took the stage to share their “why.” Jill Rosenberry, a former Club kid and now a Listerhill Credit Union employee, reflected on how the Club helped her find purpose during her childhood in a single-parent home.
“If we didn’t have a program like the Boys & Girls Club, I don’t know where I would be today,” Rosenberry shared. “The Club gave me a place to go, a place to be safe, and people who believed in me.”
(Pictured left to right: Hero of the Year Candidate Jill Rosenberg , Youth of the Year Winner Kelsey J.)
Kristen Sherrill offered another poignant testimonial, describing how she unexpectedly became the guardian of her five younger siblings while raising her own five-year-old.
“I had no idea how I would manage,” Sherrill said. “Then a friend told me about the Boys & Girls Club—and they welcomed my siblings with open arms.” The story grew even more powerful when it was revealed that Junior Crotts, the evening’s emcee, is one of the children now in her care.
(Pictured here: Hero of the Year Candidate Kristen Sherrill address the audience in a heartfelt speech)
The highlight of the evening came with the announcement of Gina Fancher, owner of Elevate Dance Studio and a lifelong youth advocate, as the 2025 Hero of the Year. Having raised over $5,000, Fancher was honored for her decades of service to the young people of Spring Hill. Presented with a commemorative plaque by 2024 Hero Candidate Kimberly Minier, Fancher reflected:
“Every child deserves to feel included, supported, and empowered. That belief is the foundation of my work—and it’s what makes the Boys & Girls Club so vital to our community.”
(Pictured: 2025 Hero of the Year winner Gina Fancher stops for a quick picture alongside 2024 Hero Candidate Kimberly Minier )
The 2025 Hero of the Year candidates included:
Sheri Bos, Bill Jolley, Ryan McCall, Gina Fancher, Dana Juriew, Kandi Morison, Pam Fauth, Dani Kissack, Kristen Sherrill, Jill Rosenberry, and Cleopatra “Cleo” the golden retriever.
Following the awards presentation, the celebration continued with a special songwriter’s round featuring Ivery Campbell, renowned producer Phil O’Donnell, and country music star Walker Hayes. Their set combined original songs with candid stories and laughter, creating a uniquely intimate and entertaining experience. Hayes closed the evening with a heartfelt acoustic performance of “Fancy Like,” dedicating it to his late father—a moment that left the room visibly moved.
(Pictured left to right: Grammy-nominated singer/songwriter Walker Hayes, singer/songwriter Ivey Campbell, and singer, songwriter, producer, and musician Phil “Philbilly” O’Donnell)
The event concluded with the auction of a guitar signed by Hayes, which raised $3,500 for the Club thanks to the generosity of one devoted supporter.
The Heroes and Songwriters Celebration not only raised vital funds—it ignited a renewed sense of hope, purpose, and unity around a shared mission: creating Great Futures for the kids of Spring Hill.
The Boys & Girls Clubs of South Central Tennessee extends its deepest gratitude to the event’s generous sponsors: Ole South Builders, First Farmers, Farm Bureau Insurance, Parks of Columbia, Maury Regional Medical Center, A. Marshall Hospitality, WireMasters, The Way Realty, Farm Bureau Health Plans, Festive & Flair, and Barlow Builders for making this celebration—and the future it supports—possible.
See all Event Photos Here: https://flic.kr/s/aHBqjC8Vjp
About Hero of the Year
Hero of the Year is an annual six-week fundraising initiative led by the Boys & Girls Clubs of South Central Tennessee, designed to engage influential community members in advancing the organization’s mission. Each year, a select group of local leaders—including business professionals, educators, entrepreneurs, and civic figures—are nominated as Hero of the Year candidates.
These individuals leverage their platforms, professional networks, and community influence to raise critical funds and awareness in support of Boys & Girls Club programming. Their efforts directly impact the organization’s ability to provide youth with access to safe environments, academic support, mentorship, and leadership development opportunities.
About Boys & Girls Clubs of South Central Tennessee
The vision of Boys & Girls Clubs of South Central Tennessee is to provide a world-class Club Experience that ensures success is within reach for every young person who enters our doors. Founded in 1999, Boys & Girls Clubs of South Central Tennessee serves more than 1,500 youth annually across three Clubhouse sites and eleven school-based locations. In partnership with Maury County Public Schools since 2016, the Club has expanded its reach to provide vital services to children and families throughout the region.
For more information about Boys & Girls Clubs of South Central Tennessee and its programs, please visit BGCSCTN.