Wednesday, Jul. 16, 2008

A Flowers blooms in Unionville

He lives on Poppy Avenue and works at the recreation center on the corner of Petunia Avenue.

Every day, he traverses the floral streets and avenues of Unionville - Pansy, Iris, Daffodil, Marigold and Lilly.

With a name like Melvin Flowers, one must believe in predestination.

He turned 50 in March, and I have now known him half his life.

Melvin was a substitute teacher in the Bibb County schools for 17 years. He filled in wherever he was needed. He could usually handle science, history and social studies classes, but stayed clear of Shakespearean sonnets and any discussion of the Pythagorean theorem.

For the past eight years, Melvin has worn a lot of hats as a service worker at the Frank J. Johnson Recreation Center in the Unionville community. He does most of the maintenance and custodial work at the center. He changes the fluorescent bulbs and sweeps the floor. He does light dusting and heavy lifting, keeps a screwdriver handy, cleans the swimming pool and takes out the trash.

But let me tell you about Melvin's "other" hat. He is the coach of the city's AAU (Amateur Athletic Union) basketball teams. They play out of the Unionville gym, the cradle of some of the city's outstanding hoops talent.

Melvin doesn't get paid a thin Roosevelt dime for his efforts, although he has been coaching teams out of Unionville for 26 years. He's one of those unsung recreation volunteers in our community.

It has all been worth it, though, especially when his players call him "Coach."

Seven months ago, "Big C" showed up on the bench.

"Big C" does not stand for "Coach."

"When you hear that word, it really scares you," he said.

Cancer.

He was diagnosed with bladder cancer in January, and the tumors were removed in February. He celebrated his 50th birthday during March Madness and coached the opening game of the Middle Georgia Bucks' season in April while undergoing chemotherapy treatments.

"It has been an emotional year," he said. Next week, three of his teams will travel to Orlando, Fla., to compete in the AAU national tournament.

This marks the first time Middle Georgia has had teams qualify the same year in three different age divisions. Melvin and the Bucks won the AAU national title in 2006, a feat that earned them recognition from Gov. Sonny Perdue.

Right now, the Bucks won't stop here. The team is trying to secure sponsorships for the trip. Melvin's health has limited his role as the team's primary fundraiser. Henry Ficklin, president of the Middle Georgia Bucks Sports Program, said an account has been set up at BB&T for anyone wishing to make a donation.

"Melvin has done an extraordinary job," said Ficklin. "He has shown great determination at a time when he was cautioned by many to take it easy."

Ficklin called the AAU teams a credit to the community. The team rosters are multiracial and made up of local talent from public and private schools.

Melvin's sphere of influence reaches beyond the players. He sees dozens of young people on a daily basis. He makes sure they have food when they don't have money. He listens when they need to talk. He has even let some stay at his house when they have had nowhere else to turn.

"It's a tough neighborhood," he said. "I try to show them encouragement and let them know there's more than life out there on the street."

Along the floral grid of Unionville - Petunia, Blossom, Camellia - Flowers keeps tending his dream.