By Malcolm Butler
Each year the Louisiana Tech softball team participates in what would be considered your prototypical “team-type” Christmas party.
Exchange names. Buy gifts. Eat a meal. Play games. And enjoy each others company.
Nothing wrong with any of those things.
However, this year, the Bullldog softballers decided to spend their party — and their money — in a different way — one focused on more on the true Christmas spirit behind it.
“We were trying to find a fun way we could mix it up this year,” said Tech Assistant Coach Chelsea Cohen. “I have in the past known about the angel trees and adopting a family for Christmas, and I figured that that would be a great tradition (for our program) to start.”
The team was asked about their opinion of the idea following practice one day. It was met with over-riding excitement according to junior Alyssa Martin.
“I was super excited just because it’s pretty cool to give back to a family with things that we’re already fortunate to have,” said Martin. “All the girls on our team are pretty blessed family-wise and with our coaching staff and everything that they provide for us. So for us to be able to bless a family in ways the Lord has already blessed us in our life, I was super excited to hear that idea.“
Cohen was able to locate a local family needing some assistance during the holiday season by contacting First Baptist Church of Ruston. She said the church provided her with specific lists from the family with clothing sizes and favorite colors and the kids wish lists.
Although they had no idea who the family is, the Tech softball players pooled their money together and set out on a mission to enjoy each others company while playing Santa Claus this past Saturday.
“I think what they did was super,” said First Baptist Church pastor Chris Craig. “It’s the spirit of Jesus and the real spirit of Christmas; giving and loving people. As a pastor and a Christian, I think it’s a wonderful thing for them to do.”
“Our goal this year was to just make sure that we could give the family kind of a Christmas miracle and support someone here in our community,” said Cohen. “And I knew our our girls would jump right on board with it.”
And jump they did.
Some dressed in Christmas sweaters. Some in Santa hats. And some in their holiday PJ’s. But all with one giving goal in mind as the Bulldog softball players, coaches and support staff set out to fill the families Christmas wish list.
The group of more than 30 was divided into smaller groups and each of the smaller groups was provided a list for a specific member of the family. TJ Maxx and Five Below were bombarded by these Santa’s elves feverishly shopping with the Christmas spirit in their hearts.
“It was a different side of some of my teammates from what I had seen, so that was cool,” said freshman Karolyn Glover. “We had no idea who these people we were helping were, but we were all trying to figure out what they would like the best. We put a lot of thought into it. It was a good team bonding experience. It was way more rewarding to do something for others than if we had just done something for each other at a normal Christmas party.”
Despite the fact that none of the players or coaches will know or meet the family they helped during this holiday season, head coach Josh Taylor said that the gesture and ultimately his players passion for helping complete strangers is what he is most proud of.
“It goes along with our team’s mentality,” said Taylor. “We have a great group of young women who just have a giving mentality, whether it’s with their time or their own money. I think our team feels a lot of gratitude for the things that they have. It really was special to see the joy they had in giving back in this way. They are a special group with a wonderful perspective.”
“It was cool knowing we were going to help these kids and have a part in their excitement on Christmas,” said Martin. “It was cool to work with my teammates to see what we could find and to then put it all together.”
A true gesture of the Christmas spirit.
