| Obion County man selected as state’s telethon representative | | Posted: Tuesday, November 6, 2012 9:12 pm
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James “Sloan” McCalla | | | An Obion County man has been chosen as this year’s Tennessee Adult Representative for the 56th Annual Lions Club/WPSD Local 6 Telethon of Stars.
James “Sloan” McCalla, an employee of Pizza Hut in Fulton who lives in Obion County, will represent his state at the telethon Saturday and Sunday in Paducah, Ky.
McCalla is supported by St. John’s Community Services-CDS, formerly Community Developmental Services Inc. He began receiving support in 2000 when he moved into a group home.
Through contributions to the Lions Club Telethon of Stars, McCalla and the 110 others supported by St. John’s Community Services-CDS will continue to receive the support needed to connect to community members and enhance work opportunities like his at Pizza Hut.
All donations made in Tennessee will benefit adults with disabilities supported by St. John’s Community Services-CDS.
Checks should be made payable and mailed directly to Paducah Lions Club Telethon, c/o Independence Bank, P.O. Box 966, Paducah, KY 42002-0966. Donations can also be made online at www.TelethonofStars.org.
When asked what he thought about being the Tennessee telethon representative this year, McCalla said, “It’s great,” and he could not wait to call and share the good news with his parents.
McCalla is a sports en-thusiast with experience both on and off the field. He reads the sports statistics in the newspaper daily, attends local sporting events and bowls and plays horseshoes.
One of this year’s highlights for him was a recent trip to see the players of the Tennessee Titans on their pre-season caravan tour through Jackson. McCalla was thrilled to meet and receive autographs from Titans players Jared Cook, Alterraun Verner and Colin McCarthy.
And although sports is much of his passion, McCalla’s work is equally important to him. For the past seven years, he has worked at Pizza Hut in Fulton, where he is a respected employee and co-worker. Early on, he was assigned to fold pizza delivery boxes and wash dishes. Now, his manager counts on him as a key player in the daily tasks of the restaurant.
McCalla performs need-ed assistance to make operations run smoothly at Pizza Hut, especially in preparation of the weekend rush. He loves his co-workers, their friendship and his position at Pizza Hut. He is a valuable member of the team and is proud to bring home a paycheck, helping to carry on his passion for sports, according to St. John’s Community Service-CDS.
He also likes to go out to eat and go to movies with his earned money. His goals for the future are to remain competitively employed and further his growth in the workplace.
On the days McCalla is not working at Pizza Hut, he supplements his income by working at the SJCS-CDS industrial center, performing work on various contracts such as Trenton Mills and Leland Powell Fasteners.
In his home, he cares for the house by taking on his share of chores like kitchen duties, mopping, dusting, vacuuming and watering the plants, and those around him say he is always cheery and eager to get involved.
He also enjoys attending classes, socializing with his peers, relaxing on his patio, exercising and participating in the many activities his community has to offer.
Published in The Messenger 11.6.12 | | | | |
