Woman's dream coming true

Lifelong Gaffney High football fan Juliette "Jett" Martin is all set for Friday's game against Spartanburg. Martin, left, is shown with Amanda Knowles, community relations director for Hospice Care of South Carolina. Knowles and others helped Martin realize her dream of seeing Gaffney play in the new football stadium. Life has not been quite the same for Juliette "Jett" Martin since she was forced to stop a longtime practice of attending Gaffney High football games.

Martin was a season ticket holder for 55 years and never missed a Gaffney Indians football game until four years ago. The 86-year-old Gaffney football fan has been unable to attend games in recent years because the old stadium was not handicapped-accessible.

Unable to walk long distances, the Gaffney resident gave up attending football games and continued listening faithfully to games on the radio.

Martin will be in the stadium Friday night when Gaffney plays Spartanburg.

Amanda Knowles organized the outing following a conversation with Martin several weeks ago. Martin is one of the clients on the school board member's Meals on Wheels route.

A 1938 Gaffney High graduate, Martin would often stay after school with her friends so she could attend football games later that afternoon. She will attend Friday's game with her two stepdaughters and Meals on Wheels director Terry Dennis.

"When she became our patient at hospice, she informed me that she was sad she would never get to see the new stadium and the Indians enjoy the new home," said Knowles, community relations director for Hospice Care of South Carolina. "This broke my heart. I couldn't let this happen. I chose to do this because hospice is about living, and to Ms. Jett, living is GHS football."

Several community organizations worked together so Martin could attend the football game.

The Gaffney High Football Booster Club gave her tickets and a sweatshirt to wear to the game. A wheelchair van from Ambu-Star will transport her to a seat in the handicapped section.

"We are glad to do it," Ambu-Star co-owner Randy Guyton said. "We really enjoy taking the opportunity to help people when we can and grant someone's wish."

Martin was in the stands when the old Reservation stadium opened in 1923. She is excited to see the new football stadium.

"I am so thankful that Hospice Care of South Carolina fixed this for me to be able to go and I appreciate all that Amanda has done for me," Martin said. "I hope they play better than last week."