Coker Softball Lends Hand in Hartsville Community

HARTSVILLE, S.C. – Members of the Coker College softball team are becoming more recognizable in the Hartsville area, not only for their play on the diamond, but for the impact they have made through community service contributions.

"We are very thankful that we have a chance to go out and help this community in multiple ways," said head softball coach Travis McCall. "One of our team expectations is to make a difference in this campus and community and our girls really take pride in doing that.  I think it's very important to realize their role as student-athletes and more importantly, they are role models to the people in Hartsville. No task is too small to leave a lasting impact."

Coker assisted during the annual Hartsville Chamber of Commerce Golf Tournament, which was held on Oct. 28. The Cobras worked in the clubhouse and on several holes throughout the course, sharing promotions to the 72 golfers that teed it up.

They worked booths at Halloween festivals at Lakeview Baptist Church and West Hartsville Elementary School, ensuring families enjoyed their time at the festival.

Coker stayed in the holiday spirit, decorating Christmas trees on Nov. 18 at the Darlington County Habitat for Humanity.

Lastly, the Cobras have continued their weekly trip to Carolina Kids, a tradition that began last season. Every Tuesday five or more members pay a visit to the nonprofit organization that serves the Darlington County School District through programs like Kids Closets, which supplies kids with backpacks and school supplies, money for field trips, summer camps and summer enrichment activates and Hunger Busters, which provides weekend food bags to help feed children when they are home from school. The Cobras make the trip to Carolina Kids and aid with the prep work that is involved in making all the bagged meals for participating kids. They unload and prepare the food along with sorting through all clothes and food that comes in.

"I feel like community service is a good way to get out and help people who are struggling or are maybe less fortunate," said Coker senior softball player Tayler Barcomb. "I've learned through Carolina Kids to be thankful for what I've been given and not to take the simple things for granted. I enjoy doing these things because it's different than anything we do on the softball field and it helps me understand the big picture."

The Navy and Gold will kick off its season on Saturday (Feb. 4), when they travel to Southern Wesleyan University.

About Darlington County Habitat for Humanity

Started in 1996, Darlington County Habitat for Humanity is part of a global, nonprofit housing organization operated on Christian principles that seeks to put God's love into action by building homes, communities and hope. Darlington County Habitat for Humanity is dedicated to eliminating substandard housing locally and worldwide through constructing, rehabilitating and preserving homes; by advocating for fair and just housing policies; and by providing training and access to resources to help families improve their shelter conditions.  Habitat for Humanity was founded on the conviction that every man, woman and child should have a simple, durable place to live in dignity and safety, and that decent shelter in decent communities should be a matter of conscience and action for all.

About Carolina Kids

We are a 501(c)(3) non-profit providing the basic necessities so many children go without in the Darlington County (SC) School District.

In 2006, Daphne and Abe Areephanthu began this special non-profit for Darlington County, SC school children. Our mission is to enhance the lives of less fortunate children by demonstrating hope and compassion by providing them basic necessities they too often lack.