George Clooney Cares Y’all

(Photo courtesy of Ron & Diana French)

By: Todd Kelsch

I was 13 years old. It was a memorable year. My first French kiss, first summer in AAU basketball, the Augusta Pool was at its apex in attendance and my sister was nice to me that year. One April afternoon stands out above all. My friends and I were walking past the school and noticed a few people walking into the gymnasium. Curious as to what was going on, we went inside. To our surprise, George Clooney was shooting basketball. My friends and I shot with him for a while. He asked me my name and I even got a “I could tell you were a Kelsch” from George. I beat him in HORSE that day. I made a shot standing on the bottom row of bleachers. He said that was his favorite trick shot before missing. I never forgot how nice he was to me as a kid. I’ve seen him multiple times since and he’s always very cordial. I moved back to Augusta in 2015. I now have a family and Kailey and I hope to give Archer and Theo the fun childhood that we had in Augusta. The public basketball court has always been a busy spot for all ages. You will see at any time adult pick-up games, children playing HORSE and teenagers honing their skills in preparation for the next high school basketball season. The court is named for Kailey’s late uncle and local hoops legend, Larry Tom Archibald. It just seemed perfect that I start to strive to improve the condition of the court as it is much needed. One of my best friends, Nathan Habermehl, and I have talked about fundraising to make the court renovation a reality. With the closing of the pool for the 2018 season, we felt it was important to have a renovated basketball court and activities to fill the void left by the closed pool. Tourism Director Lacey Holleran and Mayor Wendell High made that a reality with the creation of the Augusta Parks & Recreation Committee. Nathan and I both volunteered to join. During the first meeting, we discussed the importance of fundraising as it would make up 100% of our budget for activities. Nathan and I, along with many other friends, have always jokingly, as well as not so jokingly, mentioned how cool it would be for George Clooney to help out. Many citizens wonder why he doesn’t, some wonder if he should and others, myself included, wonder if he even knows the needs in his former hometown. The day after the meeting, I brainstormed who I could bother about donating to Parks & Rec. The name wouldn’t leave my mind. I quickly googled “George Clooney’s publicist.” The name Stan Rosenfield came up and even a phone number. I’m a talker, never really nervous, I wrote out a statement and made the call. I got a messaging service and left my brief request for help. Not realizing the time difference in Beverly Hills, I called back a few hours later. Mr. Rosenfield’s secretary answered, I gave her the same plea. She gave me Stan’s email address. After work that day, I emailed Stan Rosenfield. I wasn’t confident. I returned home that Friday and while talking to Kailey, I got a phone call. The incoming call was from Beverly Hills. I told her, “Sorry to interrupt, I should take this call.” “Todd, I have Stan Rosenfield on the line. He’d like to talk to you.” I was in shock. I quickly repeated the beg for funds and he interrupted me. He said George would like to help. Stan mentioned that George was in Italy but was interested in donating. Stan promised $10,000 just two hours after I emailed him. I received an email from Stan’s secretary saying that George had told her that he wanted to donate and I then turned her over to Lacey Holleran for direction on sending a donation. I’m super stoked about what can be done at the basketball court and Appleman Park for our youth. I’m going to work hard with City Hall as part of the Augusta Parks & Recreation committee. It’s important to me, my family, my friends and their families and I believe it’s important to George Clooney.