Athletes collaborate, volunteer at local counseling center
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As contributing members of their community and to promote team unity, boys' basketball coach, Chris Schultz, led a group of his athletes to the Link Care Center to paint.
On a 45° cloudy Saturday November morning, 24 members of the Fresno Christian basketball program arrived in the parking lot, wearing work clothes, prepared to serve.
The varsity and junior varsity teams, led by coach Chris Schultz, joined with other community citizens by participating in Serve Fresno, a community-wide day of service on Nov. 18.
In its second year, Serve Fresno is a collaboration of agencies, including One by One Leadership, United Way, and California State University, Fresno who joined with volunteers from businesses, schools, churches, and various other agencies to participate in service projects.
With local agencies preparing for the holiday season, the traditional need for services is in high demand and this year is no expectation. Over 1,300 volunteers joined together during the one-day event.
Coach Schultz, who participated in the inaugural Serve Fresno last year, believed this was a good opportunity for the team to recognize the importance of serving.
?We want Fresno Christian students to understand and demonstrate Biblical principles as contributing members of their school, community and world,? Schultz said. ?By participating in events like Serve Fresno, our students can see beyond themselves and recognize the many opportunities to serve.?
The Eagle basketball team was sent to Link Care, a counseling center that has over 40 years of ministry to missionaries, pastors and the community in need of restoration and compassionate care.
When the team arrived, they were greeted by the facilities coordinator and told they would be joining with students from Fresno Pacific University to paint the residential home on campus.
For the next three hours the boys taped off doors, covered bushes, and painted doors and walls. While working hard they managed to have a good time in the process.
?Some of the guys started putting paint on their hands and slapping me on the back to leave an imprint, Spencer Lee, '10, said. ?There was paint everywhere, even in my hair.?
Around noon the basketball completed their service. In three hours they had completed almost two whole residential complexes. Link Care was grateful for the work and commended the boys for their efforts.
?There was a part of me thought we did more damage than good,? joked Schultz. ?But in the end we worked hard and helped out an organization that was in need. By giving of our time we put into practice Jesus? words that it is better to serve than to be served.?
