The East Ridge Optimist Club is having a chili dinner to help raise money for one of our own.
Marvin “Stump” Martin, the city’s Director of Parks and Recreation, has been hospitalized on numerous occasions over the past several months, leaving he and his wife, Deb, and their family struggling both financially and emotionally.
According to John Tilley, the President of the East Ridge Optimist Club, the organization wants to help by having a chili dinner. Tilley said if you don’t like chili that’s not an issue. Just stop by the event that is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. on May 8 at the Community Center on Tombras Avenue and donate to the cause.
“Let’s show the Martin family what an impact they’ve had on so many by helping them in this time of need,” Tilley wrote on a Facebook post announcing the event. “Please join us as we show our love and commitment to helping our friends.”
Other friends of Martin’s have set up a “go fund me” account to help out with expenses. Click here to access the link.
Martin has been the Director of Parks and Recreation for six years. As director, Martin is responsible for the overall management of the department’s operations, personnel and budget, along with coordinating the management and operations of all athletic leagues at Camp Jordan Park. Prior to assuming the position he worked in the same capacity for the City of Rossville.
Martin has been devoted to his job with East Ridge. He told East Ridge News Online on Monday that after he was released from the hospital last week, he had his wife drive him directly to Camp Jordan Park so he could make sure preparations were underway for one of the largest soccer tournaments of the season.
He worked for many years at the Chattanooga News-Free Press as a sportswriter for Sports Editor Roy Exum. After the merger of the NFP with the Chattanooga Times, he worked for almost a decade covering news in North Georgia.
He also has hosted regular sports talk shows on ESPN radio, served as managing editor for Tennessee Football Magazine, served as sports editor for the Catoosa County News and hosts the “Stump on Sports” TV show.
Martin was a star athlete at Rossville High School.
His wife Debbie and their daughter Misty Dawn and her son, Austin, live in East Ridge in close proximity to the editor/publisher of East Ridge News Online.
