Shelbyville, TN (July 18, 2023) – As part of the “GEAR UP, Tennessee!” statewide campaign, NFL Alumni’s Tennessee Chapter is teaming up with Community Clinic of Shelbyville & Bedford County (CCsBC) to improve health and wellness in the community. The partnership was announced at an event held by CCsBC and the NFL Alumni this morning at the Community Clinic’s offices in Shelbyville.
The NFL Alumni recently launched “GEAR UP, Tennessee!” which is a statewide vaccine awareness and education campaign. CCsBC’s Other Door Program, which was also announced today, will conduct outreach through community health workers to assure that those in need receive health and other community support services. By combining efforts, the two will host local health events to provide education and health services, while improving the community’s state of health.
“NFL Alumni and the GEAR UP! campaign is thrilled about this new partnership with the Community Clinic of Shelbyville & Bedford County. Together, we will combine our goal of improving Tennesseans’ health and wellness. It is our hope that with our new partner, we will reach more individuals and educate them on health and wellness, including getting boosted,” said Al Smith, NFL Alumni TN Chapter President and Former Houston Oilers All-Pro Linebacker.
“I am so excited about our partnership with the NFL Alumni and its Tennessee Chapter. By joining forces, we will improve the state of health and wellness in our community. NFL Alumni’s GEAR UP! campaign embodies our same spirit, goal, and vision for this community, and we are proud to work with them,” said Fredia Lusk, Executive Director of the Community Clinic of Shelbyville & Bedford County, Inc.
The first event of the partnership will be held on September 9, from 10:00 A.M. to 2:00 P.M. at the Bedford County Health Fair & Hot Rods event, around the courthouse. NFL Alumni and CCsBC encourage all to attend to meet former Tennessee Titans and other NFL greats and receive health information and services, including the opportunity to get vaccinated as the fall season begins. NFL Alumni’s participation in the event is supported by a grant from the Tennessee Department of Health.
About NFL Alumni
Founded in 1967 by a small group of successful retired NFL players, NFL Alumni is one of the oldest and most well-respected retired player organizations in professional sports. NFL Alumni’s triple mission focuses on “caring for our own,” “caring for kids,” and “caring for the community.” NFL Alumni Tennessee is one of more than 40 local NFL Alumni chapters nationwide. For more information, visit www.NFLAGearUp.org/Tennessee.
About the Community Clinic of Shelbyville & Bedford County
Since 2003, the Community Clinic of Shelbyville & Bedford County, Inc. has provided free, caring, and compassionate health care to the uninsured and low-income adults of Bedford County, Tennessee. Services include preventive care, including free mammograms and lung cancer screenings, dental care, diabetes education, and routine check-ups, physicals, and medical exams. The Community Clinic is funded through donations, grants, fund-raisers, and the labor of its mostly-volunteer staff.
