Strongwell was an annual major sponsor of the 22nd annual Steak and Stake Dinner hosted by the Boys and Girls Clubs of the Mountain Empire. This event is unique because it allows businesses and individuals to meet the unique youth who are served daily by the organization and to encourage them to “Be Great!” This year’s event was filled with laughter as over 200 adults and youths shared jokes and stories about their lives.

This year’s featured speaker was Carl Torbush, head coach of the East Tennessee State University football program, tasked with resurrecting the program in 2015.  Torbush’s impressive background includes playing minor league baseball with the Kansas City Royals and coaching teams at UNC, Louisiana Tech, Alabama, Mississippi, Mississippi State, Kansas, and Texas A&M, with 11 bowl appearances. His message was clear to both adults and youth alike – believe in yourself and others while always being genuine and kind to others.

The Boys and Girls Clubs of the Mountain Empire is a nonprofit youth development agency which serves more than 1,500 children annually at four different locations within two counties, while operating on an annual budget of $680,000. It provides access to quality programming in the arts, character and leadership development, education and career development, health and life skills, sports, fitness and recreation. This year’s fundraising event showed promising annual growth as it brought in over $60,000.

Strongwell would like to thank the other major sponsors of the this event: Sure Drain, J.A. Street and Associates,  First Bank and Trust Company, Friendship Family of Dealerships, Lopez Wealth Management, Food Country USA and Bristol Virginia Utilities for their continued dedication to allow the youth of today to “BE GREAT” tomorrow.