HAWK FAMILY: South Side softball, volleyball rally around teammates

The Christmas season is supposed to be full of joy, family, caring and love. But for one South Side family, that almost wasn't a reality.

The South Side softball team was having a booster club meeting when one parent received a text message that freshman Haley Thornton's house had been broken into.

The break-in happened on Dec. 11, and much was taken and destroyed. According to Haley's mother Christy Thornton, a lot of the Christmas presents were taken along with electronics like televisions, laptops and cameras, and the house was destroyed as things were gone through.

"It was not a good time of year for this to happen," Christy Thornton said. "It is never a good time, but with the holidays, it is harder."

It was then that South Side softball coach Lori Benson and the parents started planning.

With the help of parents Alison Bradford and Charity Deaton, an account was opened at First South Bank to start collecting money for the Thornton family.

The South Side players and parents put the word out through text and on Facebook, and the Booster Club made the decision to start the fund going with a donation.

The South Side softball team gave $500, while the South Side volleyball team followed with $300.

"It meant so much, and it makes you feel loved and cared for," Christy Thornton said. "It is an indescribable feeling that just warms my heart. With everything everybody has going on themselves, they can put someone else first."

Shelby Bradford is a senior this year on both the volleyball and softball teams, and following the meeting, it was Shelby and her mother Alison that went over to see the Thornton family to make sure this was OK.

"We knew that something needed to happen," Shelby Bradford said. "We knew that we as a softball team needed to give back, especially during this holiday season. We had to put them before ourselves."

For a coach, others always rate a team on how they perform on the field, but that is not always the best measure of a team's success.

"It is awesome," Benson said. "As soon as something was said, these players started throwing out ideas. Actions like these makes coaching worthwhile. It is kind of like a family atmosphere."

After four years of participating in athletics at South Side, the Hawks have become family for Bradford.

"I feel we are a big family," she said. "We try to all come together. If one needs help, we try to help out."

And the feeling of family helped make this Christmas season a little brighter for the Thornton family.

"They made me feel like their family, and I will consider them family forever," Christy Thornton said. "This was a low point, and they came together for us.

"After it happened, I felt hopeless. Them reaching out was the best gift ever. This will be a Christmas that we will never forget."

Michael Odom, 425-9754