Rick Barnes Announces $400,000 Matching Gift Challenge in Support of City Young People
Tennessee men’s basketball head coach Rick Barnes, along with the Winegardner Foundation, today announced the launch of a $400,000 matching gift challenge. Every donation from the Knoxville community will be matched dollar for dollar, meaning total contributions could reach $800,000 in support of Emerald Youth Foundation and its ministry with city young people.
“It is a lofty goal, but with the help of friends across Knoxville, I’m certain we will achieve it,” said Barnes.
Donations from individuals, businesses and others throughout the community can be made at www.emeraldyouth.org or mailed to Emerald Youth Foundation, 1014 Heiskell Avenue, Knoxville, TN 37921.
“I love Emerald Youth Foundation’s focus on sharing Christ, which ultimately helps develop Knoxville’s next generation of godly leaders. Emerald also provides academic support for youth, especially as they enter high school and beyond. Of course, the health focus is so important – teaching young people the value of exercise, fitness and the opportunity to learn a variety of sports,” Barnes said.
Coach Barnes has supported Emerald Youth’s annual golf tournament since arriving in Knoxville to lead the Vols in 2015, and he serves as an emeritus member of the organization’s board of trustees.
Local business owner and community leader Dean Winegardner expressed his gratitude for the opportunity to support city youth through his participation in the $400,000 matching gift challenge.
“By God’s blessing, it’s a privilege to come alongside Emerald to make a Kingdom investment in young people,” said Winegardner. “My family and I deeply appreciate Emerald Youth’s commitment to ensuring that every child in every neighborhood of Knoxville has the opportunity to live a full and abundant life – just as Jesus spoke of in John 10:10. Our hope is that through this challenge, others across our community are inspired to give at all levels, and our sincere prayer is that the Lord multiplies all of these gifts in ways that reach far beyond our city and into eternity.”
For more than 30 years, Emerald Youth Foundation has been engaged in the lives of young people through programs and outcomes focused on faith, learning and health, and the community’s ongoing support is vital.
“We are so appreciative of friends like Rick Barnes and Dean Winegardner through this generous match challenge and other important ways,” said Steve Diggs, Emerald Youth president and CEO. “A lot of people donating at different amounts will make it possible to reach the $400,000 goal. Together – through many gifts – we can make it happen.”
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About Emerald Youth Foundation:
Emerald Youth Foundation (“Emerald”) is a Christian, urban youth ministry serving more than 3,300 children, teens and young adults each year in the heart of Knoxville, Tennessee. Emerald’s vision is expressed in John 10:10: “I came that they may have life and have it to the full.” This motivates Emerald and gives shape to decisions about the ministry’s work in city neighborhoods. Emerald’s mission is to raise up a large number of urban youth to love Jesus Christ and become effective leaders who help renew their communities. Since 1991, Emerald has worked to support Knoxville’s young people and families and prepare generations of Godly community leaders. Emerald aims to help young people develop along a trajectory that includes life-giving outcomes in faith, learning and health; developing into and becoming community leaders; and securing gainful employment in work that allows them to provide for themselves and their families. For more information, visit emeraldyouth.org.