ATHLETES HELP SALVATION ARMY

University of North Alabama basketball players and coaches took some time off the court this week to volunteer for the Salvation Army's Christmas distribution program.

They laughed and joked Thursday as they moved bicycles from the basement of Brandon Ministry Center gymnasium to the upstairs distribution center, but there also was an obvious respect for what the Salvation Army does to help thousands of people in need during the holidays.

"It means a lot to us to be able to help out these kids even if all we do is move and organize bicycles," said Warrick Mastin, a UNA sophomore from Muscle Shoals. "Our team likes knowing that we're helping kids enjoy the kind of Christmas we had as kids."

Mastin and his team were among about 60 volunteers at work on the first day of toy distribution for those who received gifts from the Angel Tree. This year, the Army provided gifts for 2,000 children.

"The public just really came through big time and provided well for these kids whose names were on the Angel Tree," said Salvation Army Captain Michael Rojas.

Salvation Army volunteers are a major part of the program's success. More than 300 bikes were distributed, many of which took volunteer efforts to assemble.

JoAnn Barker, who organizes volunteers for the gift distribution, said without the people who give their time, there could be no program.

"These volunteers begin just after Thanksgiving packing up gifts and preparing them for distribution, and this week when the people come in to pick up their gifts, we really see all that hard work pay off," Barker said. "This is a Salvation Army project, but these volunteers make it all happen."

UNA men's basketball coach Bobby Champagne said he is always looking for community service opportunities for his team. But he admits, most of those opportunities come in the spring because of the team's schedule in the fall and winter.

Standing in the distribution center surrounded by countless volunteers, Champagne said volunteerism among his players is a must.

Motioning to the volunteers around him, he added, "These are the people would come out and support us, and we owe them this."

As for his players' volunteerism, Champagne called it, "Just part of the growing-up process. It's all about giving back."