Margaret Nelson, center in navy print dress, is surrounded by friends and family at the new tennis and basketball court at the Chambliss Center
The Chambliss Center for Children is not an orphanage, although it was originally a food and clothing pantry for orphaned girls in 1872. Almost 40 years later, the Vine Street Orphan’s Home opened, and the name changed with the orphanage moving to its current location in Brainerd. Later, in 1946, Judge Alexander Chambliss, former city mayor and chief justice of the Tennessee Supreme Court, realized children were being removed from their homes, but had no place to go; the Chambliss Shelter began with a goal of caring for children during a very hard time in their lives.
No longer an orphanage, the Chambliss Center for Children still operates with the original goal of caring for children and meeting them where they are. In 1969, it became apparent that 24/7 childcare was vital to working parents. In the case of inclement weather or holidays, for example, parents had no one to watch their children while they worked. Having hourly wages docked could mean the difference between eating and not for certain families.
One hundred fifty-two years after its inception, The Chambliss Center for Children offers extended childcare around the clock, 24 hours a day. The building abounds with a plethora of art projects, story books and activities while outdoors there is a swimming pool, playground and lots of room for running around.
There is also a need for improvements and updates in everything from the HVAC units to the roof of the building.
One issue that was recently addressed had to do with the grounds. Longtime board member Greyson Brown knew the CCC needed to raise funds to resurface the tennis court and basketball court. Both were used constantly by hundreds of children and were in a state of disrepair. Greyson and her husband, Tommy, lived next door to Margaret and Ward Nelson, and a light went off in Greyson’s head; she immediately penned the following email:
"Dear Friends of the Nelsons,
Tommy and I were talking about the amazing year Margaret Nelson has had [as she battles brain cancer] and how her faith and positive outlook have touched so many lives. She has a servant’s heart, as we all know, and a soft spot for Chattanooga’s children. We were wondering how we could honor her with something she would love.
We received a call from the Chambliss Center for Children asking if we could help raise funds for the resurfacing of their tennis and basketball courts for the hundreds of children who enjoy them each year. GAME. SET. MATCH! This is the perfect gift for honoring and celebrating Margaret as she approaches one year of turning a dark diagnosis into a light so bright it has moved us all.
Feel free to forward this letter if we have missed a friend of the Nelsons who would love to get the volley started!
Let’s ace this!”
All manner of folks were glad to pitch in and make a difference for the kids at the CCC. Surpassing the goal in a short time, the funds raised allowed both the tennis court and basketball court to be resurfaced and begin the summer in pristine condition, all unbeknownst to the Nelsons.
Both Margaret and Ward have served their share of aces in during their tennis careers, and can consider this one a love match – all the way around.
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Ferris Robinson is the author of three children’s books, “The Queen Who Banished Bugs,” “The Queen Who Accidentally Banished Birds,” and “Call Me Arthropod” in her pollinator series “If Bugs Are Banished.” “Making Arrangements” is her first novel. “Dogs and Love - Stories of Fidelity” is a collection of true tales about man’s best friend. Her website is ferrisrobinson.com and you can download a free pollinator poster there. She is the editor of The Lookout Mountain Mirror and The Signal Mountain Mirror.
Ferris Robinson