Maddox gives rec dept. $1,000 in Jake’s memory

Youngster’s dog was shot by a neighbor

 

  • Ten-year-old Clay Maddox presents his $1,000 donation to Fannin County Recreation Department representatives to help pay fees for children who would like to play sports but cannot afford to register. Shown are, from left, John Spargo, Eddie O’Neal, Clay Maddox, Tim Towe, Earl Maddox and, in front, Clay’s dog Maverick.
    Ten-year-old Clay Maddox presents his $1,000 donation to Fannin County Recreation Department representatives to help pay fees for children who would like to play sports but cannot afford to register. Shown are, from left, John Spargo, Eddie O’Neal, Clay Maddox, Tim Towe, Earl Maddox and, in front, Clay’s dog Maverick.

    Clay Maddox, 10, of Morganton, gave his donation of $1,000 to the Fannin County Recreation Department Monday, July 18.

    This was Maddox’s second summer selling lemonade in honor of his late German Shepherd, Jake.

    Last year, Jake was shot and killed by the family’s neighbor. Clay and his brother, who was one year old at the time, were near the dog  when it was shot.

    “He wanted to do something good for the community as Clay was super depressed after Jake was killed,” said Clay’s mother, Tiffany Maddox.

    Last year’s lemonade stand raised $2,100 and with additional donations from across the country, Clay ended the summer with $6,000. That money went to the Ocoee Animal Hospital in Blue Ridge for local residents who needed help paying for their vet bills.

    This year, Maddox donated his lemonade stand money to the Fannin County Recreation Department. He plays baseball, football and wrestling with the Rec Department.

    Clay, who will be going into the fifth grade at East Fannin Elementary School when school starts next week, said, “I wanted to donate this money so that all kids in Fannin County could play sports.”

    He plans to do another lemonade stand next summer as well.

    “He is a great student, friend and big brother,” said his mother, Tiffany.

    Fannin County Recreation Department Director Eddie O’Neal said, “Thank you so much, Clay.” He made it clear that “we have some incredible kids here in Fannin County.”