MADISON- Kent Chambers is practicing what he teaches. The retired head softball coach and current math teacher at Bob Jones High once stated, “I tried to teach my players the right things in life.” The 55-year old Chambers and his wife, Pat, are living his own words of wisdom as they recently donated their stimulus payment to help others in need.

For Chambers, included in the generous gift was $600 to assist in paying the utility bills for three of the current students at the school for at least two and a half months. Another $600 was donated to the burn care center at Shriners Hospital for Children in Cincinnati in a way to say thank you for how the burn facility has taken care of his great niece, Crimson Chambers, who suffered burns over 50-percent of her body during a fire at her home in Arab three years ago. She and her mother, who was also injured in the fire, and Crimson’s stepfather have made numerous return trips to Cincinnati for rounds of surgeries.

“The Shriners Organization has taken care of the financial burden the family was faced with as Crimson received the care, so I thought I would try and say some sort of thank you for the work,” said Chambers.

Meanwhile, Pat Chambers donated her stimulus check to the Madison YMCA and, with a unique way to help others in the community, by purchasing gift cards from local businesses in an attempt to assist those financially strapped during the pandemic.

For Chambers, a 2017 class member of the Huntsville-Madison County Athletic Hall of Fame and a staff member at Bob Jones since 1986, he retired from coaching the Lady Patriots at the completion of the 2016 season after 30 years and posted a 884-616-6 record as head coach. He achieved all of his success with very little fanfare, and with his recent donations remains very humble about his generosity.

“I don’t necessarily like the attention unless it inspires others to do some good in their community,” said Chambers. “I’ve received several personal notes from people who have indicated they, too, want to do similar acts.”

Chambers said he and his wife of 10 years talked over the idea and both agreed because they were still getting paid at their jobs, they wanted to help others less fortunate and not as well off financially.

“I got with the school administration through Principal Sylvia Lambert about finding some students who were in a needed situation,” said Chambers. “I did not want the families to know where the money came from. I went to Madison Utilities and prepaid their accounts.”

Chambers added, “There’s no need for Pat and I to take the money and sort of spurge, so we decided to help others who really need it during this time.”