HAWKS VOLUNTEER TIME AT COMMUNITY MEALS FOR NEEDY
By: Tim Birney | | December 6, 2020 | Photo courtesy Tim Birney
BINGHAMTON — Members of the Southern Tier Hawks were on hand Saturday
afternoon to help at the weekly St. Mary of the Assumption-Church of St.
Paul community meals at the St. Mary’s Rec. Center.
Hawks 12U
team members Griffin Walter and Preston Besmer, as well as Waverly grad
Scott Woodring, a freshman on the Mansfield University men’s basketball
team, and Waverly senior Ryan Lambert — both volunteer coaches —
assisted in handing out food to needy members of the community.
Hawks coach Reggie Hawkins said volunteering at the community meal was an “eye-opening” experience for the kids.
“This is the best way in the world for these kids to give back,” he said. “We’re teaching life lessons through basketball.
“This is a big-time eye-opening experience for these kids, to see how some people really live,” noted Hawkins.
“They’re
fortunate to have their parents and a home. There are a lot of people
out there in the community that don’t have a home or hot meals,” added
Hawkins. “This really shows the kids the need to give back.”
Gene
Ferranti, a St. Mary’s Rec. Center committee member, was impressed by
the community-minded spirit of the Hawks players volunteering their
time.
“The (Southern Tier Hawks) program is not only teaching
these kids basketball and what it takes to be a good basketball player,
but they are teaching kids how to give back to the community.
“It’s
selfless, and really exemplifies the spirit of this particular season,
taking care of those, especially those who may not have much — that
means everything,” said Ferranti.
According to the Community
Meals coordinators Shannon Brooks, who is also the “chef,” Mary Eileen
Hopkins, and May Lamoree approximately 200 meals were dispersed to those
in need.
“We feed the needy, and we deliver meals to shut-ins,” said Brooks. “We prepare hot meals — between 200 and 250 every Saturday.
“It’s not just soup and a sandwich,” said Hopkins. “They get a full meal.”
“Today,
we have chicken noodle soup, with chicken and gravy over noodles, peas,
and coleslaw. We also have either blueberry pie, banana bread, or
mayonnaise cocoa cake for dessert,” said Brooks.
“We put a lot
of love into it. Everything is fresh … we get a lot of donations, if
something is expired we throw it in the garbage,” noted Brooks. “If we
cook too much, some people will take four or five meals because they’re
hungry.”
“And, for a lot of them, this is the only meal they will have for the week,” added Hopkins.
There are no restrictions on the meal, and no proof of need is required.
“Everybody is welcome, not just residents of Binghamton,” said Brooks.
“You just need to show up, stay six feet apart, and we will feed you,” said Hopkins. “No questions asked.”
Brooks notes St. Mary’s—St. Paul’s provides holiday meals as well.
“We had a very nice Thanksgiving meal, and we will have Christmas dinners ready on Dec. 19,” she said.
Hawks
founder Keith Thomas said the AAU organization is grateful to St.
Mary’s and wants to show it’s appreciation by volunteering.
“The
Southern Tier Hawks and its board (of directors) has looked for safe
homes, and permanent homes for our programs,” he said. “St. Mary-St.
Paul of the Assumption have offered that to us.
“We’d like to
give Father John and the church a lot of credit, and thank them, along
with Ken (Henson) of the Tioga County Boys & Girls Club, which has
also provided a home for our program.
“We just want everybody to
know that the program is here for everybody in the Southern Tier — from
Bath and Corning to Oxford and Binghamton,” noted Thomas.
“I’d
like to thank the Southern Tier Hawks board members, who have worked
hard to put this together,” he continued. “With special thanks to coach
Reggie Hawkins, and our newest addition — coach Art Williams, who is the
former coach of the Dreamers.
“Our organization is growing, and
we would like to show our appreciation by giving back to the communities
we’re involved in,” added Thomas.
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