Tuscaloosa-area and statewide nonprofit organizations received a total of nearly $775,000 during the annual Nick’s Kids Foundation luncheon held Aug. 5 in the north zone at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
Nick Saban said the annual luncheon is an event that he eagerly looks forward to. He also discussed the significance of the foundation and its mission to help kids and the community.
“This is my favorite day of the year,” said Saban, who retired in January 2024 after 17 seasons as the University of Alabama’s football coach and now works as a commentator on ESPN’s College Gameday. He also serves as an adviser to the UA athletic department and has an office on the Tuscaloosa campus.
More: New movie on Nick Saban, Bear Bryant depicts why the icons are incomparable | Goodbread
“I don’t think there’s any better feeling that we get than when we give to other people and help other people in some way and contribute to the community,” he said.
Saban also expressed pride in the legacy he and Terry Saban are leaving through Nick’s Kids. He also mentioned other projects like the Saban Center, an interactive learning hub that is expected to open in 2027.
Aug. 5, 2025; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Terry Saban poses for photos with Claire Haynie and Elaine Crawford during the Nick’s Kids Foundation Luncheon at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
“It’s going to be our legacy, Terry and I’s legacy. Because 25 years from now, you guys will forget about how many games we won, how many championships we won and all that, but we’re going to have a children’s learning center that’s going to be our legacy in this community for many, many years to come,” he said.
The Nick’s Kids Foundation is the official charity of Saban and his wife, Terry. The foundation focuses on causes that benefit children, families, teachers and students.
During the event, guests ate lunch catered by Full Moon BBQ and had the opportunity to get autographs from current Alabama football players. Big Al, UA’s elephant mascot, and University of Alabama cheerleaders were also on hand.
Nick and Terry Saban mingled in the crowd for meet-and-greets, photos and autographs.
Aug. 5, 2025; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Terry and Nick Saban present the Lifetime Achievement Award to Abbie Drummond during the Nick’s Kids Foundation Luncheon at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
During this year’s event, Abbie Drummond was presented with the Lifetime Achievement Award for her contributions to the community. One project highlighted was the Heman Drummond Center for Innovation, which broke ground in May in Jasper.
The 120,000-square-foot state-of-the-art facility will serve 2,100 students and is designed to transform how high school students prepare for future careers.
Drummond expressed gratitude for the award. She also spoke highly of her close relationship with Nick and Terry Saban.
“Our friendship has meant so much to my family … We are game-changers,” said Drummond as she accepted her award.
LuLu Gribbin received the Bigger than the Game Award for her resilience after she was attacked by a shark in 2024. She lost her left hand and right leg after the shark attack in the ocean waters near Walton County, Florida.
Aug. 5, 2025; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Lulu Gribbin was presented the Greater Than The Game Award during the Nick’s Kids Foundation Luncheon at Bryant-Denny Stadium. Gribbin survived a shark attack but lost a part of her left arm and her right leg.
In the attack, Gribbin lost her left hand and right leg. The Mountain Brook teenager said she spent over three months in the hospital and had to re-learn daily tasks, such as how to brush her teeth and, put on clothes. She also had to re-learn how to walk again.
Gribbin said she was grateful for the award and that she admires Nick Saban’s process of taking small steps to achieve big goals, and she encourages others to do the same.
“Because it doesn’t matter that I have one leg and one arm that doesn’t define who I am, it’s who I am on the inside. And I want all of y’all to know that it’s who you are on the inside that defines who you are,” Gribbin said.
“I’m so honored to be the recipient of this award, and I’m so blessed. And I would like to thank you all for choosing me,” she said.
Aug. 5, 2025; Tuscaloosa, AL, USA; Nick Saban speaks during the Nick’s Kids Foundation Luncheon at Bryant-Denny Stadium.
The Nick’s Kids Foundation has been involved with multiple community projects, including the Saban Center and the building of at least Habitat for Humanity homes. Other beneficiaries of the foundation include the Tuscaloosa All-Inclusive Playground and the welding and multipurpose facility at the Tuscaloosa County Juvenile Detention Center and more.
Through the years, the foundation has donated nearly $16 million to the community, according to a news release.
More: Accessing local journalism is even easier with the News app
Reach Jasmine Hollie at JHollie@gannett.com. To support her work, please subscribe to The Tuscaloosa News.
This article originally appeared on The Tuscaloosa News: Nonprofits receive over $775K at annual Nick’s Kids luncheon
