Helping a hand...

[TigersBball42]

Every year in Roane County there is a program for children that dont have a lot of money for Christmas.... Each year there are so many athletes from around the county that show up for this and I just think that its great.... the program is called operation reach... people meet at Wal-mart at 630 am and take the kids shopping and then go back to rockwood high school and eat lunch and help the kids wrap there presents.... and i have been doing this for about 5 years now and every year I see more athletes than I do other people

[QueenBee]

Tigers...thank you for understanding what this forum is for...

 

Congratulations to the athletes that participate...

[TigersBball42]

no problem i saw it on a post that you put and i said well im gonna put stuff that queen wants... we also have a junior civitan club at rockwood and there is a lot of athletes in there and they do a lot of activites for the community

[tnwareagle]

Yesterday the athletes at Bradley Central and other schools in the Cleveland area took underprivileged children shopping. Each child was given 100 dollars to spend at K-Mart, and was aided by one of the athletes. It is a very moving and rewarding experience for all involved.

[TankTalk]

I remember WAY back when I was involved with Operation Reach, how touching it was.

 

Taking the young people around to do their shopping and learning what the holiday season was truly about. Sure, they would buy a few things for themselves, but it never failed that a young child would look up at me and say something like "My mom sure could use a robe" Or "My little sister would love this doll" and I would have to fight back the tears.

 

It seems we all forget from time-to-time just what Christmas is indeed all about. Getting involved in programs for the under-privilaged is a fantastic way to keep that knowledge alive.

[mortimer]

I don't know if they still do it, but a few years ago at the NAIA Womens' National Basketball tournament in Jackson, Tennessee one of the pre-tournament activities involved the athletes working with the Special Olympics of West Tennessee. I remember what it was like and I will never forget the look on some of their faces, both the athletes and the kids they were helping. You take for granted a lot of things until you give back.

 

By the way, this is a great topic.

[TigersBball42]

I didnt get to do Operation Reach this year because of the ACT.... but when I did it last year I had such a good kid... and sometimes i see him in walmart and he comes up to me and gives me a hug... and that makes me feel good because i know i helped a family out

[wrestler555]

Do you know if they do this around the Chattanooga area?

[spongiefy]

Wow! bless you all for your kind hearts. I hope you'll do this all year round or at least once a month. I salute you guys!