Lady Indians give back during the holidays

Itawamba Community College's softball team recently spent quality time with the residents of The Meadows Nursing Home in Fulton as part of the college's creed of service to the community.

"Our community gives us so much we always like to give back in any way that we can," said first-year ICC softball coach Andy Kirk. "Just going out there for a couple days was very humbling for the girls and being able to spend time with the elderly seemed to really mean a lot to them."

Players were able to interact with the residents during their daily activity period playing bingo, assisting with arts and crafts but for most of them the highlight of the two-day venture was just sitting down to spend time talking. 

"It was really fun being able to spend time with them and listening to all their stories," said sophomore Mallory Hill of Baldwyn. "They are so full of life and you can tell they really appreciate you for spending time with them even if it's something simple as just sitting and talking."

Many of the players have plans to continue visiting The Meadows and other nursing homes in their home towns.

"I had a great time," said sophomore Lindsay Richardson of Saltillo. "I hope to be able to have other opportunities to spend time with them again." 

Each ICC athletic program is heavily involved in community service and other outreach programs throughout the original five-county district area once dedicated to the ICC recruiting area.

"We feel that it's important to give back to the communities that have been the foundation for the success of the college," said ICC Athletic Director Carrie Ball-Williamson. "The great thing about our student-athletes is the fact they want to be a part of these types of programs and the coaches have to schedule extra days instead of having to keep asking over and over again for them to help out."

Last year ICC spent numerous hours volunteering at local nursing homes, reading to area students, assisting with tutoring programs, working at local food drives along with helping with many different projects raising money for the recovery of the city of Smithville while assisting with the cleanup.