Independence Middle School football players traded the field for yards, garages and other projects as they spent a recent Saturday morning giving back to senior citizens in the Independence community.
The team’s first “Day of Service” connected players and parent volunteers with four local households, where they helped residents with a variety of projects around their homes.
The idea began in August when IMS football coach Greg Hoon reached out to the City of Independence to find a community service opportunity for his players. Coach Hoon connected with the city’s Community Services Department, which suggested partnering with local seniors who could use an extra set of hands.
An announcement was shared with seniors at the Independence Civic Center, and the response was immediate. Players helped with projects such as yard cleanup, organizing and clearing accumulated items from garages and other household tasks.
Beyond completing the work, the morning gave the middle school students an opportunity to connect with members of the community they might not otherwise have had the chance to meet.
For Coach Hoon, the experience was an opportunity to reinforce lessons that extend beyond football while helping his players recognize the role they can play in their own community.
The IMS football team is already looking for another opportunity to serve, with plans to participate in the community recycling day through the city’s Parks and Recreation Department in October.
