Delivering baskets … on and off the court

For Whitley County High School Boys’ Basketball Coach Eric Swords and Whitley County Health Department Health Educator Ashley Lawson, the new Hoops School outreach program for children in the Williamsburg Housing Authority is something personal for them.

“I grew up in Brush Arbor. I kind of understand what it is like,” said Swords. “You are trying to just pass it forward, and hope you inspire somebody to, if they get out and make it, they want to give back to others.”

Lawson also grew up poor but in the housing authority in Corbin.

When she is at any of the housing authorities, she tries to give back and let people know about community resources that are potentially available to them.

“I am passionate about it (Hoops School) just like he (Swords) is,” Lawson said.

The Hoops School program is kind of like a big brother program.

“We are trying to mentor the kids. This summer we came out and played basketball with the kids and shot around,” Swords said estimating that there were probably about 30 children involved over the summer.

“These kids we went out to this summer, they thrived from hearing stories about how you can have whatever life you want if you make good choices,” Lawson added. “We just want people to know you aren’t stuck where you are. You can have whatever kind of life you want. I really feel passionate about sports. I feel that ball can save children sometimes no matter what circumstance they are in.”

The day before Thanksgiving Day over a dozen members of the Whitley County High School Boys’ Basketball Team, Swords, and Lawson were all busy with baskets only this time, they weren’t the ones on a basketball court.

The group delivered 20 Thanksgiving food baskets to Williamsburg Housing Authority residents at Brush Arbor and Mackey Avenue. The food baskets had ham and all of the fixings for a Thanksgiving meal.

“For Thanksgiving, we tried to include the Hoops School kids first, and then get out to everybody else,” Swords said.

Lawson said that one of the boys, who was in the program this summer and loved it, excitedly greeted them saying, “Where have you all been? Why haven’t you been back?”

Swords said that for Christmas, his players will probably either come out and serve a meal to the Hoops School kids or possibly do Shop with a Colonel and take a few of the kids Christmas shopping.

In addition to playing basketball and feeding the Hoops School kids, Swords noted that all of them can attend Whitley County High School basketball games for free and any of the team’s youth camps or youth leagues for free. This includes students that might not attend school in the Whitley County School District.

The Hoops School children range in ages from first grade through middle school age.

The high school players said that it felt good to give back to their community before Thanksgiving.

“We just gave out some Thanksgiving baskets full of food. It can be hard to afford food at times like this. We are just trying to give back. It feels good to give back,” said senior Dre Ellis, who has family members that live in the housing authority.

Aaron Rowe, a junior, said that it meant a lot to him to help others right before Thanksgiving.

“I come from the south end of the county. There are a lot of families that struggle. It is nice to see that in high school you can give back to the community that you came from,” Rowe said.

Lawson noted that it was humbling to see teenage boys go knock on doors to give someone a meal.

Swords added that this helps his players with life lessons and also teaches them about being grateful for what they have.

“It also helps them seeing the need to give back. No matter what these guys become, if they don’t give back a little bit to other people, then what are we really helping accomplish?” Swords asked.

Lawson said that giving a family or a struggling mom or dad a meal can be a real game changer for them.

“Some people don’t have a warm meal. They don’t have anyone during the holidays. It is a big deal,” she added.

Last week’s food baskets were the result of a group effort between the basketball team and Lawson by getting donations for smaller items from players and their families among others.

The basketball team purchased the hams out of funds from the program.

Maiden Drug also sent in a donation to help pay for some of the food.