JOHNSTON CITY -- A spaghetti dinner fundraiser with a silent auction has been set for this Friday evening in Johnston City for a beloved coach, athletic director and former principal.
Ross Babington, who is also known for quarterbacking Johnston City's undefeated 1969 football team, is suffering from a variety of health issues and is currently being treated at the Mayo Clinic in Minnesota.
The dinner is from 4-7 p.m. in the Johnston City High School commons area. Cost is $10 or $7 for children 10 and under.
Babington coached at both Johnston City and Sesser-Valier and was AD at both schools. He was a principal at JC's Lincoln Grade School and was an assistant principal at JCHS. He is also a member of the Johnston City Sports Hall of Fame and a huge Cubs fan.
"Ross has been a positive influence on our schools and community for his entire life," said Johnston City Schools Superintendent Kathy Clark. "He played on those great teams that are in the Hall of Fame. Think about how those teams impacted our community. It rallied people around the school. Obviously, people are remembering that."
Clark said the overwhelming response is a testament to the community.
"That's the kind of people we have here," she said. "They step up to help when it's needed."
Southern Illinois Local Media Group reporter and former Johnston City High School teacher Holly Kee, who worked with Babington, said the response has been nothing short of amazing.
"Within seconds of putting the event on Facebook, my computer started dinging with responses," she said. "Then my phone went crazy. Everyone asked what they could do to help."
Kee said that comes as no surprise to her, given that Babington and his family are usually among the first to step up for others.
"The folks from Sesser-Valier have stepped up in support," Kee said. "Brook Williams (a teacher there) is taking shirt orders. Superintendent Jason Henry called and offered whatever assistance that was needed. Many of these people will venture over to Johnston City for the dinner. Sesser-Valier has no Friday football game as they play at Vienna on Saturday."
Kee added that calls and messages with donations promised have come from many who can't make the dinner, including former players from other states. A variety of items have also been donated for the silent auction, including memorabilia from the University of Illinois.
Rene Hightower of Black Widow T's saw the post on Facebook about Babington and immediately called and offered to do shirts for the cause. "I wanted to do something to help," she said. "I want to give back to someone who has given so much."
Brooke Henderson, who is Babington's youngest daughter, said "the amount of compassion from everyone is so helpful right now."
Brooke is staying with her dad in Rochester, Minn. while he undergoes treatments.
The Johnston City Sports Hall of Fame is the official organizer of the event. Other sponsors include: Pepsi MidAmerica, E-World Design Innovations & Media Management, Chartwell's Food Service, Pollack's Corner, Michael's Ristorante, and Southern Illinois LOCAL Media Group.
For more information or to donate to the silent auction, call Kim Grant at 618-983-8021. Tickets for the dinner may be purchased in advance from the superintendent's office or at the door on Friday.
#Team Ross T-shirts will be available for purchase at $15.
• Holly Kee contributed to this story.
