THE COMMERCIAL APPEAL
Saturday, October 1, 2011 | Memphis, TN My Life – All Four Sections
I CHOOSE MEMPHIS l MARILYN JOHNSON
Something Good in Memphis
She helps feed kids at MAM’s golf academy
BY JIM SEACAT Special to My Life
Marilyn Johnson has been nominated for recognition in MIFA’s Something Good in Memphis campaign by Vince Alfonso Jr.
Alfonso writes: “Every weekday, Marilyn Johnson arrives at Memphis Athletic Ministries’ Park Golf Course in South Memphis with a smile on her face to make certain that the over 30 boys and girls have full stomachs as they participate in MAM’s golf academy.
” ‘I have to make sure the children in our community have food to eat daily,’ explained Johnson. ‘That way children can perform better, strive for excellence, are more attentive to learning — and they can thrive and be the person that God wants them to be.’
“Marilyn arrives at the golf course at 7:30 a.m. and stays until 1:30 p.m., serving both breakfast and lunch. Along with cleaning up after meals, she manages the food ordering and deliveries to make sure enough meals are provided on time each day,” explains Alfonso.
After meeting Alfonso, who serves as the MAM golf director, Johnson knew it was a program that would enhance life skills for Marshall Sterling Shanks, her 13-year-old son who joined the golf program seven years ago. Marshall is the main reason Johnson started her volunteer work there.
“I began bringing food on Saturdays to feed and serve our children,” said Johnson. “The food became a motivation for the children to attend the golf program more frequently. The parents would bring them because of the love and food that can heal children’s souls. The economy is so rough right now that many parents cannot afford food on Saturdays and Sundays. I knew that they needed to be at MAM, learning golf and life lessons with food in their stomachs.”
“Marilyn shows our youth what compassion, patience and steadfastness look like, said Alfonso. “We are grateful for her commitment to them and to the MAM golf program.”
To nominate someone, visit Something Good inMemphis.org or stop by the MIFA office in Midtown, 1910 Vance, for a nomination form that can be mailed to Something Good in Memphis, PO Box 3130, Memphis, TN 38173.
