Ground-breaking for the first phase of Charlie and Tonja Ward's Champions Ranch in south Tallahassee happened first thing Monday, Dec. 1. The athletics and education complex is already nearly halfway to its fundraising goal.
The Marching 100 from Florida A&M University - where Charlie Ward is now the head basketball coach - got the ceremony off to a festive start.
Ward's wife Tonja welcomed the crowd, which numbered in the hundreds.
"We are excited about breaking ground on the first multi-sport field for the Charlie Ward Champions Ranch and the Champions Cafe, powered by Centennial Bank..."
Charlie Ward said it's not only the large corporate donors, but the many small contributions that have so far helped raised more than $9 million for the ranch.
"And to our small group friends and mentors and the people who believed in this dream at every stage, you laid the foundation for today."
The fundraising goes on with an ultimate goal of $20 million. The Champions Ranch will provide opportunities for athletics, education, enrichment and life skills development for kids from all over the region.
