In June 1990, Shelly and Allan were in the process of finalizing a unique adoption, a first for Holmes County.  Jordan was the boy's name, and he was black -- just like coach Reese.

"All Perry said was that he would be there, and somehow, someway, I know he's watching over us now," Shelly said.  "Perry insisted that if Jordan had any questions about his heritage or anything else, that Perry would answer them.  He was a true friend who changed our entire community."

So much in fact, that as many as a dozen biracial or black children have been adopted by families in Eastern Holmes County since Jordan was adopted.  Sunday, many of those faces were seen around the Perry Reese Jr. Community Center -- a state-of-the-art, 1,600 seat facility named after Holmes county's first black citizen.

The Reese Center is home to the Classic in the Country Challenge this weekend, a high school girls basketball event held over the Martin Luther King Jr. holiday weekend.

Jordan, now 15 and a freshman at Hiland High School, was in the stands with some buddies Sunday at the Classic.  Shelly and Allan, who thought they couldn't have biological children but now have 11-year-old twins Cameron and McKenzie, are part of the close to 200 diligent volunteers.  Shelly has many duties in the hospitality room, and Allan jokingly just does whatever he's told.

"For several months in advance, Shelly is doing the behind-the-scenes work," said Tim Schlabach, another volunteer and co-owner of Homespun Treasures in Walnut Creek where Shelly is head secretary.  "You never hear about the type of things that she does -- like mailing out packets to sponsors, making signs and handling the college coach and scouting requests -- but she keeps it organized."

In just its third year, the ever-growing event -- which was tabbed as one of the top three high school events in America by USA Today -- is designed to honor the Civil Rights movement that Dr. King and Reese led on a national and local level, respectively.

"Whether he was on the bench, or with a group of friends, Perry never (promoted himself," Allan said.  "So I know he's up there saying, 'Would you all just shut up.  It's not about me.'

"To me, though, it's extremely important that we take this event and keep passing on what Perry meant to this community.  Most of the kids you see running around, and even most of the high school kids, don't know much about Perry Reese.  we need to change that."

Greg Howard, a freelance movie writer, is doing his part to spread the word.  The man behind "Remember The Titans" spent time in Eastern Holmes County close to three years ago, compiling information about Reese for a film.  Jerry Bruckheimer is producing, and while there has been no casting or on-set work, the final product is slated to be in full swing later this year.

"It feels like forever for us, but (Howard) called and said it's in the works still," Shelly said.  "I just hope it covers the actual spirit and what Perry meant to, and brought, to this community.

In a roundabout way, Jordan Miller is one of those special gifts.

"In small communities like ours, sometimes people have closed minds and turn their back on what's happening in the world," Shelly said.  "Perry taught us all to open our eyes.  He wanted us to see who people are and what they stand for, not what their outer appearance is."

What a perfect lesson on this MLK holiday.