What happens when a Chattanooga media legend offers his name and reputation for a roast to benefit a 44-year-old non-profit that serves at risk adults and students? An evening of merriment, memories, and meaning is absolutely guaranteed, said Joe Smith of the upcoming Hey Earl Roast.
The dinner roast is a fundraising event set for the Chattanooga Convention Center on Sept. 12 at 6 p.m. benefiting the area’s ministry that serves justice-involved men and women as well as at risk students in a structured mentorship program that assists in reducing recidivism for adults and services targeted to at-risk students to address behavioral and academic issues, the Prison Prevention Ministry and INZone Students.
Mr. Smith, executive director of the ministry founded in 1979 by a group of Chattanooga businessmen and successor to Roger Ingvalson, the director, welcomes all to join in the evening for the guaranteed laughter that serves a critical cause.
“Tickets and tables are available, but going fast,” noted Mr. Smith, founder of the successful Y-CAP early intervention program and leader at PPM/INZone. “The work that serves individuals in their efforts to have a fresh start has proven effective and needed. Every penny goes to the operations that serve adults and kids to equip them for opportunities rather than a dead end of dependency and trouble.”
The menu will feature as its main course, the roast of “Hey Earl’ Tennessee Hall of Fame recipient, WAPO, WDOD, WDEF, WDYN and WDEF and American Forces Network, Frankfurt.
Mr. Freudenberg, often saluted by, “Hey, Earl,” is a larger-than-life broadcaster with a storied life that’s characterized as a walking encyclopedia of Chattanooga area news, history, and relationships. His awards include the Freedoms Foundation Appreciation Award, the Tennessee Associated Press Broadcaster of the Year, and the Sertoma Club Service to Mankind Award.
“Good causes benefit from good fun,” quipped Mr. Freudenberg. “Lending my name for an evening with dear friends to stroll down memory lane is a perfect combination that promises to entertain and provide resources for a wonderful ministry.”
LocalNews3 anchor, David Carroll, will serve as the emcee with roasters set to bring the heat and the humor.
Tickets, tables, and program advertisements are options for the evening and available online.
“Because of an amazing anonymous donor, contributions will be matched when given by Sept. 12,” announced Mr. Smith. “Participants in the dinner will assist in this one-time opportunity, but any who are unable to attend are asked to make their investment now. The generosity of Earl Freudenberg and the entire community is so appreciated to play an incredible role in touching the lives of students, women, and men standing at a moment of being changed in the hope of Jesus Christ.”