Women's Basketball gives back to Bahamian citizens affected by Hurricane Dorian
11/29/2019 10:53:00 AM | Women's Basketball
NASSAU, Bahamas — The reason for the weekend is basketball, but the sport is sometimes more than just a game, as the Lehigh women's basketball team took time out of the Friday morning after Thanksgiving to head to the local KGLI Gymnasium turned homeless shelter for hundreds of Bahamian residents affected by the devastation of Hurricane Dorian in early September.
For one day, the Mountain Hawk women were a beam of light for many of the children, taking part in games and activities and bonding over mutual adoration for the game of basketball.
"I didn't realize how much of an impact this was going to be today," said Dr. Simeon Hinsey, the co-founder and president of the iYES Foundation and event organizer for the Bahamas Hoopfest. "I thought the kids were just going to go out there, but you could tell they just want something to get their minds off of the hurricane and all the things they have dealt with.
"I mean, a lot of these kids have lost parents, a lot of them have lost loved ones, so a lot of these kids out here are just wanting someone to love on them and for Lehigh to come out here today and invest the time into these kids, that means so much not only to the people of the Bahamas, but the Haitian immigrants that are here as well."
Upon arrival at the shelter, the team immediately felt called to spend meaningful time with the children on the island, playing games such as 'Tag' and 'Duck, Duck, Goose,' but also playing basketball games as well, including pick-up games and knockout. At the end of the time, a bag of basketballs were donated from the team to the children for their continued use.
"The opportunity to spend time with young children who have lost so much in their lives was certainly heartwarming and eye-opening for our players and coaches," said head coach Sue Troyan. "During a holiday of thanks and appreciation, the experience certainly provides perspective for the over-abundance of what has been given to us and a stronger understanding for what others have lost through the Hurricane Dorian."
It surely was an eye-opening and heartwarming experience for players, who all have had a heart for the giving of their time and talents over the years, including volunteering at local Bethlehem schools, visiting pediatric hospitals and now in the Bahamas.
"I'm just grateful that our coaches gave us the opportunity to be exposed to different people in different places and be able to bring some fun for them," said senior guard Hannah Hedstrom. "It puts a lot of things in perspective, knowing that there's a lot more important things than basketball and winning or losing game.
"Just being able to make an impact on people, but also knowing the impact they made on us, more so, I think is even greater."
The Mountain Hawks finish up the Bahamas Hoopfest on Saturday vs. Fordham at 4 p.m., but the highlight of the trip for these young women will be the lives they impacted, even for spending just an hour of the day with them.
Like Lehigh Women's Basketball on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram for exclusive content, team updates and more.Gallery: (11/29/2019) Lehigh WBB Volunteering at Bahamas
For one day, the Mountain Hawk women were a beam of light for many of the children, taking part in games and activities and bonding over mutual adoration for the game of basketball.
"I didn't realize how much of an impact this was going to be today," said Dr. Simeon Hinsey, the co-founder and president of the iYES Foundation and event organizer for the Bahamas Hoopfest. "I thought the kids were just going to go out there, but you could tell they just want something to get their minds off of the hurricane and all the things they have dealt with.
"I mean, a lot of these kids have lost parents, a lot of them have lost loved ones, so a lot of these kids out here are just wanting someone to love on them and for Lehigh to come out here today and invest the time into these kids, that means so much not only to the people of the Bahamas, but the Haitian immigrants that are here as well."
Upon arrival at the shelter, the team immediately felt called to spend meaningful time with the children on the island, playing games such as 'Tag' and 'Duck, Duck, Goose,' but also playing basketball games as well, including pick-up games and knockout. At the end of the time, a bag of basketballs were donated from the team to the children for their continued use.
"The opportunity to spend time with young children who have lost so much in their lives was certainly heartwarming and eye-opening for our players and coaches," said head coach Sue Troyan. "During a holiday of thanks and appreciation, the experience certainly provides perspective for the over-abundance of what has been given to us and a stronger understanding for what others have lost through the Hurricane Dorian."
It surely was an eye-opening and heartwarming experience for players, who all have had a heart for the giving of their time and talents over the years, including volunteering at local Bethlehem schools, visiting pediatric hospitals and now in the Bahamas.
"I'm just grateful that our coaches gave us the opportunity to be exposed to different people in different places and be able to bring some fun for them," said senior guard Hannah Hedstrom. "It puts a lot of things in perspective, knowing that there's a lot more important things than basketball and winning or losing game.
"Just being able to make an impact on people, but also knowing the impact they made on us, more so, I think is even greater."
The Mountain Hawks finish up the Bahamas Hoopfest on Saturday vs. Fordham at 4 p.m., but the highlight of the trip for these young women will be the lives they impacted, even for spending just an hour of the day with them.
Like Lehigh Women's Basketball on Facebook, follow on Twitter and Instagram for exclusive content, team updates and more.
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