Bulldogs give back to the community at Ann Smith Elementary in Ridgeland

Nine Holmes Community College football players took their talents from the football field to the playground as they went on the road to Ann E. Smith Elementary where they read and played games with first graders there.

"One of our goals every year is to give back to the community," Holmes Community College Defensive Coordinator Chris Woods said. "We did a little of that when we had our game at Madison Central and had great response.

"Obviously with the Ridgeland Campus here and wanting to develop some community service projects, it was an easy fit, and it helps that my daughter is in the first grade class, too," Woods said. "The kids had a great time and seems like the players had a really good time doing it, and it's something we want to continue."

Bulldog players included punter/holder Alex Hawkins, kicker Matt Spencer, defensive back Kris Givens, receiver Shaquan Holmes, tightend Jared Wade, lineman Talbot Buys, receiver Daniel Huffines, long snapper Jordan Fleming and running back Richard Hampton. The players set in reading circles with the kids and then played games with the kids.

"We want to uncover some projects every semester for our guys, Woods added. "We feel that's part of the process to not only develop them on the football field but off the field as well.  We want to give back to the community that has been good to us is part of it.

"The main thing is who was going to represent our program in the best light," he said of choosing the players who came to Smith Elementary. "We want to reward the guys that do it right. The nice thing those guys are some of our best players as well."

For more information on the football team's community outreach, contact Woods at cwoods@holmescc.edu or 662-472-9118.

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