December 2020 | Volume 14 | Issue 4
280LIVING.COM
THE 280 CORRIDOR’S COMMUNITY NEWS SOURCE
Basketball Preview
A LIFETIME OF SERVICE
Briarwood, Chelsea, Oak Mountain and Spain Park’s basketball teams have high hopes for the upcoming season.
People prepare nonperishable food items during a Backpack Buddies packing party Nov. 7 at Vineyard Family Services. Held the first Saturday of the month, the event is open to volunteers to come pack food bags for students, including those in Shelby County Schools. Photo by Leah Ingram Eagle.
See page B6
‘Tough as Nails’
Nonprofit expanding efforts to aid kids, families By LEAH INGRAM EAGLE
Ellis begins his days extremely early and always has. From the time he was around 6 years old, he would get up at 3 a.m. every day to help milk cows on his father’s dairy farm and make deliveries to customers around town. “I’d come in from the milk route and had
While working as an associate pastor in 2007 at Inverness Vineyard Church, Ward Williams decided to take a leap of faith and start a nonprofit ministry. “I went to a conference that talked about how lots of people never go inside churches to get help, and to be effective, we may have to leave the walls of the church and offer different opportunities that people are receptive to,” Williams said. He founded Vineyard Family Services out of a passion to reach the community and help men become involved, committed and responsible dads. Although he had no idea what it took to start a nonprofit, Williams said he spent time researching and learning for about a year before starting VFS. Not long after it began, the 2008 recession hit, and things were difficult for a while. “There was a time where we had $100 in the bank and had to spend $4,000 to meet the next payroll, and we got a reimbursable grant,” he said. “I needed to raise $10,000 in one month to survive, and did so with the help of friends and family, most from church.”
See ELLIS | page A28
See VFS | page A30
Departing Hoover schools Superintendent Kathy Murphy described as dedicated leader who was perfect fit for past five years.
See page B20
INSIDE Sponsors .......... A4 280 News ..........A6 Community...... A14 Chamber.......... A18 Business ......... A22
Sports.................B4 Events .............. B14 Schoolhouse.... B18 Faith ................ B29 Calendar............B31
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Butch Ellis, the longtime attorney for Shelby County and former state senator, at his law office in Columbiana. Photo by Erin Nelson.
Attorney Butch Ellis, 80, continues his half-century of work for Shelby County By LEAH INGRAM EAGLE
B
y 11 a.m. on a Wednesday morning, Shelby County Attorney Butch Ellis has reheated his cup of coffee for the fifth time. He made it when he arrived at his office at 4:30, and over six hours later, he hasn’t finished it.