To:  Martin Mathews on his 96^th Birthday,

Because of you, Martin Mathews, and the Mathews Dickey Boys’ & Girls’ Club, I am a successful entrepreneur, married to a caring woman and raising a productive family.  I do not where I would be if it were not for Mathews Dickey; but I fear a most different place. 

Because of you, Martin Mathews, I am alive today.  Because of you, I escaped the jungles of despair and built a life that you would be proud of.

Mathews Dickey taught me how to play baseball with the best of my friends, but the lessons of Mathews Dickey taught me so much more; they taught me how to belong, how to be a contributing member of society.  Because of this club, I am a man of faith.  Because of you, I am a woman of faith.

Because of you, as a young girl, I walked the runway of Sheer Eloquence and later the runway of life, both with pride and great success.  Because of you and Mathews Dickey, my kids found purpose and HOPE in their lives and they too escaped the jungles of despair…and their kids will escape as well.

Because of you and Mathews Dickey, I learned the meaning of giving; the joys of receiving; and the importance of treating all teammates, all opposing players and all coaches with equal respect.

Because of you and Mathews Dickey, my gang was made up of teammates; my war was the diamond; my colors were the colors of Mathews Dickey.  Because of you we played hard, we fought hard and we won or lost giving it all we had.  Because of you, sports taught me life.

Because of you and Mathews Dickey, I am a policeman today helping guide the youth of the inner city to a better life; because of you and Mathews Dickey, I am a fireman today, helping to protect our city.

Because of you and the lessons of Mathew Dickeys, I am a doctor, I am a lawyer, I am a carpenter, I am an engineer, I am an architect, I am a professional football player, I am a McDonald’s franchise owner, I am a TV personality, I am a nurse, I am a teacher, I am a successful businesswoman, I am a successful minority contractor owner, I am an executive with a growing non-profit, I am what you taught me to be.

Because of you and Mathews Dickey, I am running for a political office today to help make a difference for others.  Because of you, I may well be President of the United States someday.  Because of you and Mathews Dickey, I have no bounds as to what I can accomplish in my life.

Because of you, I know love; I know HOPE; I have passion for life; I have purpose; I have confidence; I have found success; I have respect for all mankind; and I am forever changed for the good of the world.

A special Happy 96^th Birthday to Martin Luther Mathews.  Mathews Dickey Boys’ & Girls’ Club may have disappeared legally, but the lessons of Martin Mathews and his history changing Boys’ & Girls’ Club will forever be in the hearts, minds and souls of the millions of challenged kids and families that walked through their doors.  Yes, all because of you.

Signed by:

Over 2,000,000 kids and their families

with love forever and ever…amen.