The Heart of the Table | Generations & Legacy
The Nana Network Gives Back
Most of us contribute to charities, school fundraisers, community projects, and our local churches on a regular basis. “Giving back” is an established part of our culture; but, every once in a while, an opportunity for true “hands-on help” presents itself right on your doorstep.
With Coach Smith & the New Team!
While infusing my early morning coffee one Tuesday, I watched a compelling story on the local news about Vance High School’s coach trying to vigorously start up a girls’ golf team—the first all-girl golf team this Charlotte, North Carolina school had ever known! The girls (five of them) were present, enthusiastic, and willing, but the athletic budget was sorely lacking. The dedicated coach made a desperate appeal for used golf equipment on air: “clubs, bags, balls tees, shoes… anything.”
Activating the Network
Ding, ding, ding! If there is one thing a mountain top golf community has in absolute abundance, it is extra clubs—but how do we get the word out quickly? It takes a village, they say. Well, I say it takes a Network... a “Nana Network” to be exact.
I immediately knew I could find dozens of fellow grandparents on my Ladies Golf Association email list who would be overjoyed to help these young ladies succeed. The LGA list is normally used to communicate upcoming tournaments and tee times, but within a few minutes, the rallying call went out for direct donations, and—just as I knew it inevitably would—help came pouring in!
Within 24 hours, I had a garage entirely full of equipment for the girls. Within 48 hours, we had rigorously met their needs and vastly exceeded them. Within 72 hours, the cash donations started rolling in, and by day four, I was feverishly packing up my car and driving into Charlotte to meet the coach.
From the Archives: The Nana Network Overflow
Generational Fairways
It is profoundly heartwarming to know how enthusiastically everyone wanted to physically help. Yes, it is about golf—a sport that uniquely teaches patience and strict etiquette, as well as deep team camaraderie. But, it is fundamentally about helping a young girl have a concrete chance to learn a sport that may open an unexpected door for her later on in life.
One of the team members that I warmly met told me that she had never actually swung a golf club, but she had excitedly watched a lot of golf on TV. Now, because of a community of grandmothers, she has a chance to physically experience in life what she could only watch others perform.
As for me and my loyal band of gal pals, who like vigorously golfing almost as much as we vividly like gnoshing together after the 18th hole? We will continue to fiercely follow the Vance High School Girls’ Golf Team and maybe, just maybe by the end of the season, they can visit our Nana Network and give us a golf tip or two!
From the Memoir to the Kitchen
Inspired by the Nana Network's love for "gnoshing" after a long day on the fairways? Discover the Master Blueprint for our perfect group gathering dish: The Hospitality House Tortellini Pasta Salad.
View Hospitality House Tortellini in The Vault