Reds pitcher and family looks to help others this Christmas
By SCOTT BOWERS
Daily Courier Sports Editor
FOREST CITY — Each and every year in our community thousands of individuals, hundreds of church groups and dozens of organizations come together to aid those in need at Christmas time.
Add the Coffey family to that list.
Cincinnati Reds pitcher, Todd, and his wife, Nikki, are in the early stages of creating an eventual foundation that they hope will help families all across Rutherford County.
This year, the Coffey’s teamed up with the Rutherford County Department of Social Services and Robin Spence in selecting one family
to provide Christmas too.
“ Todd contacted his cousin, Joy Lancaster,” said Spence. “She in turn contacted me about finding a family. We have so many but I have worked with Mildred Logan and she is so deserving of something like this.”
Logan, who is rearing her three teenage grandsons, was brought to tears by the generosity when the Coffey’s arrived on Thursday, December 21 with gifts, food and household items. “I just feel so blessed,” said Logan.
The Coffey’s brought gift cards from area merchants, various food items, new pots and pans, three 10-speed All-terrain bicycles, three CD players and three brand new pairs of Nike tennis shoes including one special order pair.
“I needed a size 16,” said Coffey. “So I called Nike and they had them to me the very next day.”
Logan’s three grandchildren — Chris, Perez and Tyler — were pleased with all the items as the giftgiving brought more tears to the eyes of Spence.
“She is trying to raise three grandchildren on so little each month,” said Spence. “She works so very hard and they as a family are trying so hard.”
The Coffey’s want this year to be just a start on the couples long-term plans.
“My hope is to jump start something that will give back to Rutherford County,” Coffey said. “ We want it to grow — to bring in local businesses — and not to dissuade the money that goes internationally or nationally to organizations. I support those too but to try and build something that helps the people right here.”