Marcus Lemonis, from the CNBC series The Profit, donated $5,000 to the new chess program for at-risk youth in Rutherford County. Rutherford County Property Assessor Rob Mitchell presented that check, along with an additional $300 of community donations, to the Rutherford County Public Safety Committee at its March 27 meeting.
“What an honor it is to receive this very generous gift from Marcus Lemonis! His support is encouraging and gives us confidence that we’re on the right track,” Mitchell said. “He’s a business and entrepreneurial legend that understands the importance of critical thinking.”
Mitchell launched the Chess/Critical Thinking and Life Skills Program in Rutherford County focused on helping at-risk children in the Juvenile Justice Center.
“I’ve enjoyed playing chess since I was a teenager. I never understood how much it helped me with my critical thinking skills until I became an adult. I’m grateful for the game of chess and—based on numerous studies and common sense—I know this program will help young people in Rutherford County just like it helped me,” he said.
Additionally, Mitchell has issued challenges for charity chess matches between elected officials from various Tennessee counties in hopes of raising funds for similar chess and critical thinking programs throughout the state. Specifically, he called out Hamilton County for the first set of chess charity matches. He proposes that elected office participants from Rutherford County face elected office participants from Hamilton County. The donation pledge for entry will be $100. The winner of the matches will take the losers’ pledges to donate to their local critical thinking and life skills program of their choice.
Chess enrichment curriculum is growing, with states from Alabama to New Hampshire utilizing the game of in their education efforts. Studies from youth chess programs in the U.K. have shown a link to higher IQ scores, increased problem-solving skills, memory improvement and creative thinking.
For more information on the local Chess/Critical Thinking program, contact Rob Mitchell at rob4rctn@gmail.com or 615-900-0829.
