Tennessee coach Derek Dooley is making an impact away from the football field in Knoxville.

Though his priorities lie in guiding the Vols' football program, Dooley has taken some time away from the football grind to give back to his local community.

As part of his ongoing work with Variety -- The Children's Charity of East Tennessee -- Dooley joined former Tennessee tight end Jason Witten and his SCORE Foundation to help fund the renovation and development of the Dooley-Witten Learning Center, which was dedicated Thursday.

"There are people that create problems, there are people that talk about problems and there are people that solve problems," Dooley said. "The Boys & Girls Club has been a problem solver ever since its inception. I've always felt like if everybody just put their energy on their local communities to solve the problems together, then we wouldn't have as many problems as we have all over the world.

"We have so much right here locally that we can do. That's where we have put our energy on trying to help solve problems at a local level. I've always felt like there's no greater resource in this country than our young people because they are the future problem solvers."

Witten, who is entering his 10th season with the Dallas Cowboys, was once a member of the Boys & Girls Club as a child growing up in East Tennessee.

"I'm a living example of being a part of the club and having good examples in front of me every day," Witten said. "Amongst the challenges that took place in my own life, people believed in me and they showed me a way to allow me to have a chance."

For more on Dooley and Witten working with the Halls/Powell Boys & Girls Club of the Tennessee Valley, check out the Vols' official website.

Speaking of giving back, this year's Iron Bowl won't just be about football when Alabama and Auburn get together. Mike Herdon of The Mobile Press-Register wrote on Thursday about an Iron Bowl giveaway to benefit the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society.

Those who purchase a $50 ticket for an educational event for LLS held by Jeb Shell of Mobile, a candidate for the 2012 Leukemia and Lymphoma Society's Man of the Year, on June 27 in Mobile, Ala., will be entered into a drawing for a package that includes six tickets to the Iron Bowl, transportation by private jet and private shuttle service from the airport to Bryant-Denny Stadium and back.

All proceeds from ticket sales will benefit the LLS.