Published: December 24, 2008 04:47 pm      

Concerned Beavers help make Community Christmas Tree a shining success

As always the Community Christmas Tree program was a tremendous success because of your warm hearts and deep pockets.

A special thanks to the Bluefield High School athletes and coaches who came over to help is certainly in order. Freddie Simon had a BHS football “muscle squad” there on Monday to help prepare the more than 700 bags and then coach Buster Large, along with the entire Beaver basketball team, came out Tuesday to complete holiday treat work and help distribute the goodies the children and parents.

Assistant coach David Hubbard, also works with the baseball team at Princeton, and will be the busiest man in Mercer County for the rest of the sports season, was on hand with Large. Assistant Jimmy “Fly” Simon was in charge of overall supervision.

Seniors R. J. Wilson, Devon Crawford, Will Cole, Isaiah Manns, and Robert Mitchell led the crew, with juniors Damian Price, James DeWitt, Craig Ponder, Byron Steptoe, Trey Williams, and Michael Smalls, as well as freshman Devon Williams.

The football team members were Cole, Manns, Bryce Pannell, Cody Wassum, Tommy Ly, and Matt Lawless.

Not only were the Bluefield athletes concerned about the kiddies and the Christmas presents but they were also asking about Tazewell’s T. J. Rasnick.

T.J. battled through the spring and summer to overcome a bout with cancer. He made it and became once again a key to Bulldogs’ football team.

The Dogs advanced to the Region IV Division 3 championship game, losing in overtime but finishing with nine victories. Believe me, T. J. being on the field was instrumental in the turnaround. He returned kicks, did some punting and place kicking, caught passes, and ran from the halfback slot.

As usual, T.J. managed to score in every one of those areas, including kicking field goals.

As if that weren’t enough, he intercepted six passes on defense.

Just a few days ago, a routine exam revealed the disease is back.

There are a few spots on the lungs but it is not lung cancer. Right now, the family is planning to make a trip to Bethesda, Md. for consultation in January about the most effective treatment plan.

T.J. is keeping busy, playing basketball, and getting ready like the rest of us to celebrate the holiday.

He knows very well “the real reason for the season” and appreciates very much the prayers and good wishes from athletes, coaches, and fans all over the area.

It is hard to explain but T. J. was a major inspiration for the Bulldogs’ 2008 success not only because of his ability to make big plays, but because he set a classic example of how faith, hard work, and determination can overcome obstacles.

Along with second-team All-State star Matt Muncy, it was a 7-11 show on many occasions this past season. The fans got into it, they were proud of what T.J. was able to do by just getting on the field to begin with, and then wildly happy when he started to do those things on offense, defense, and special teams that only he can.

Talk at the Community Christmas Tree just reinforced how special the bond is between all of us in Four Seasons Country.

No matter what time of the year, the best days always seem to be the ones that Beavers and Tigers and Bulldogs and G-Men and Generals and Tornados and Panthers and Golden Knights and and Hurricanes and Owls and Cubs and Mavericks and Bears and every team can share.

Merry Christmas and as Tiny Tim observed, God Bless Us Every One!