Knoxville, TN - The Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley (BGCNTV) will host its annual Gift of Hope Fundraising Luncheon on Thursday, May 12 from 11:30 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Knoxville Convention Center. The Boys & Girls Clubs is excited to announce that University of Tennessee Women’s Basketball Head Coach Pat Summitt will serve as the Master of Ceremonies at this year’s event!

The Gift of Hope Award was created to honor Emmet P. “Buck” and Linda Vaughn for the many years of outstanding dedication, inspiration and hope they have provided to the members of Boys & Girls Clubs. Buck and Linda will honor Jim and Natalie Haslam this year with the Gift of Hope Award in appreciation of 46 years of exceptional support of capital campaigns, day-to-day operations and fundraising events of Boys & Girls Clubs of the Tennessee Valley.

The event is free to attend, but advance reservations are required. Attendees will have the opportunity to give pledges at the event. For more information, visit www.bgctnv.org.

Lisa Hurst, Executive Vice President of BGCTNV and De’Sheema Smith, Boys & Girls Club member, stopped by the WBIR-TV studio on Tuesday to talk about the event and fill the audience in on details about the event. Video of the interview is available on the WBIR website.

Media Contact: Sarah Malak, smalak@ackermannpr.com, (865) 584-0550