LizardLick-How 2 Train Dragons
Donation protected
Growing up we were so poor me and my brother had to ride double on our stick horse. We learned the value of a Dime at a young age and were working tabacco fields by 8 years old. The only thing that we really could do outside of home and farm life was play the sports we loved. Though we played them all Football was my kryptonite, I lived, dreamed, breathed it day in and out, and rarely anytime of year if I wasnt working in a field was their not a pigskin in my hand. My parents both held 2-3 jobs most of my childhood life while we worked for family, so there was no time for coaching. The one thing I always hated was the small town good ole boy network that prevailed year after year on the field. I grew to dispise the adult clicks that formualted on the fields and had to watch as coached sons and friends and the ones with money always made sure their kids played the key positons and got the attention, a few of us were good enough to make it on through and move to higher levels and play into college but I watched many good players, some that could have been great fall by the wayside and leave the sport because of these small town ways. Now as a father,I got to witness it again firsthand last year with my own son, in the Wendell Football League and despite my best efforts to adress the situation and recitify it I left more convinced than ever that you cant fix stupid. Working with Children has always been a calling for me , with the show God has presented us with a massive platform and we try to make a diff everytime we can. Needless to say with the travel, the show, running the buisness, my books and music and the fact Im a father of 4 with a phenominal wife.and we both feel lead to spread the Good news of Christ, I normally am buiser than a fire ants nest in a falsh flood. Again this year my son Gabe wanted back on the field so I searched relentlessly for a league, a team and coaches that still remebered what this game was about, its about the kids, the lessons you learn that can carry you though life, hard work pays off, teamwork, putting others first and the love of a great game. I found the Knightdale Dragons, a Pop Warner team. We have no permanant home field, we bounce night to night to different practice locations, and have basically no equipment to practice with. What we do have is around 170 of the greatest children I have ever been around, coaches that care about the kids, care about the parents and care long after the last snap of the day is over. They remember what this sport is about, that all these kids need is a chance and for many of them this is all they have thats keeping them from reform school and even worse, and for many it keeps them from the gangs and the streets and the harsh reality that is youth in society today. I am not saying that all these coaches and volunteers are perfect, including myself but I am saying every kid matters , every kid is treated like they are special and valuable and ever kid will have a chance to play and try out at every position. They will learn the game that I love, they will learn sportmanship, fairness and that one will always gain more knowledge from loosing than they ever will from winning, for how they respond is where their character will be developed. They will form a family bond, TEAM means brotherhood, and this league I truly believe rememembers what the real game of football is about at this age. Winning is great, but watching a kid grow, develop and see a real smile when that gleam of hope is back in their eyes is worth every second there, every loss, every thing we give up to be on that field. Theres no good ole boy network here, no favor swapping, no back yard handshakes, here its for the kids about the kids and because of the kids and I dont stand behind anything I dont believe in. I even felt led after turning down several request to be a assistant coach any time im in town, and I cant beleive the joy these boys and girls bring me. We have almost no equipment, no permanant home field, no lights, no hitting or blocking pads, no sleds, no restiance equipment. We are pulling old tires with ropes, jumping cut logs, and making due with whatever it takes, and loving every minute of it . Me and Amy and the Lizard Lick Krew feel led to help this league, these kids, these teams.I love the fact we can be ourselves and discuss our beliefs on the fields with these kids, pray, say the Pledge of allegiance and Play this great sport under a great covering. We want to raise money to buy equipment, then go back and raise money to buy them a field they can call The Dragons Lair, fitting since we are LIZARD Lick--we will also match the first 3500 personally and will post updates, videos and pictures on here,Twitter and facebook. Go to www.lizardlicktowing.com to see all of our official Social Media sites. Please help us help these kids, and if your near the Lick come see us practice, come watch a game, meet some of these kids and see what this is all about. This is why we live that Lick Life, for others are always more important than ourselves, and the kids of today are the future of tomorrow. If you'd like to donate any equipment, used or new, send it to the LIZARD LICK STORE 2604 NC Hwy 97 Wendell NC 27591, or email questions to [email redacted] and thank you from the bottom of our hearts-God put us here-Fans keep us here-Tru Tv plays us here -and Kids are why we are here ----Lick Life Love it Live it Lick it -----John 16:33 and Ecc 3
Mine and Amys life verses--
Mine and Amys life verses--
Organizer
Ronnie Shirley
Organizer
Wendell, NC
