All Pro Dads Breakfast Kicks Off Another Year at Central Intermediate

Submitted by Donnie Shaffer

                Wow! What a great response from our Central Dads!  There were approximately 300 fathers and their children (along with a few moms and grandparents) for this year’s kick-off of the All Pro Dads breakfasts at Central Intermediate School last Thursday. That is double the amount from previous years.

                The idea behind All Pro Dads is for fathers and their children get to spend time interacting and strengthening their relationships.  At each event breakfast is provided free of charge.  Research has shown that children are happier, more confident, and do better in school when their fathers are involved in their lives. Here’s what some of the dads had to say about the event:  “It promotes good family values,” said John Scarbrough.  Wesley Risenhoover says, “I think it’s a good part of the growing process because with the way the world is today, with everybody busy doing their own thing, you don’t have time for family sometimes, and it’s usually the fathers missing out the most.”  One little fourth grade girl was overheard saying to her dad, “I told you this was going to be fun!”

                Each event begins as the fathers (moms or grandparents) at each table tell of one thing that their child has done recently that has made them proud.  It is so rewarding to “table hop” and see the reactions of the different boys and girls as they are being affirmed in the presence of their peers.

                “We are guided by a verse of scripture in the book of Malachi saying that, God will turn the hearts of fathers toward their children and the hearts of children toward their fathers.”  “To me, one of the main societal issues of our nation is the lack of the presence of fathers in the home,” says Pastor Donnie Shaffer of Central Church and organizer of All Pro Dads of Central.        

                The All Pro Dad program began in 1997 with the help of NFL analyst and former coach Tony Dungy. Today there are 931 chapters at public schools in 48 states, 13 of them in Louisiana, where more than 40,000 parents and their children gather regularly to discuss peer pressure, goal setting and caring for the less fortunate.

                All Pro Dads of Central is in its third year at Central Intermediate School. This year the program plans to  expand to Central Middle School also.

                For more information on All Pro Dads of Central or on how you can sponsor a breakfast, contact Pastor Donnie Shaffer at 225-241-6675 or [email protected] or go to the website allprodad.com/dd/297 and leave us a comment.

Below: Lt. Kenny Huber of EBR Parish Sheriff's Office with daughters Marissa and Brianna.