Kevin Hoff could have slept in on a rainy Saturday morning. Instead he got out of bed to head over to Olive Street with his Career High Panthers basketball teammates. They weren’t going to play basketball; they were going to stack cans of beans, bags of rice, and other supplies.
They spent the morning at Loaves and Fishes soup kitchen.
“The community does so much for us,” said Hoff, a power forward. “Everybody comes out and supports our games, so I feel that we gotta give back.”
Panthers head coach Larry Kelley said the day of service will build bonds within the team, and individual character.
“I think that this brings them together as a family, and they learn a lot from each other,” said Kelley.
Terrence Taylor, a Career senior and power forward center, said, “It’s fun and it gives me something to do; we’re helping out people.” Taylor said it also contributes to the 20 hours of community service he needs in order to graduate.
Coach Kelley said he encourages the young men to put in more than the required 20 hours of service hours. Although he is sometimes met with slight resistance, the young men always give in. He said they’re learning what it means to be a part of a team.
“Basketball is what they love,” said Kelley. “I guess that’s a motivating factor, and they’re good kids, but I think something like this teaches them morals and values and a little bit of compassion.”
Senior small forward Scott London was there helping out, even though he’s already put in the required 20 hours of community service. (He’s at left in photo of London with Taylor at right and other teammates.)
“We want to help out,” said London. “I really care about my teammates and we wanted to get out here and show the people we really care. I feel good that we can help the kids and give them school supplies.”
Kelley put it this way: “His team needs him to be here, and that’s what it’s all about.”
The team had an upbeat attitude about the work.
“It’s fun,” said Darryl Best, a senior power forward-center. “It gives us something to do.”
“I just try to teach them that it’s not all about money,” said Kelley, “that you can give back without having riches. It’s about what’s inside of you, that’s what counts.”