Crittenden County’s student-athletes have stepped up to lend a hand with the Marion water crisis as part of the “Rockets Give Back” program.
Crittenden County Schools Athletic Director Bryan Quall, along with high school coaches, worked together to develop the program after recognizing the importance and impact the community has on its students. The program connects student-athletes with volunteer opportunities as a way of expressing reciprocated support to the county that invests, supports, and encourages its students.
Qualls says in a social media post they realized how blessed they are to have businesses, churches, groups, and individuals backing the Rockets. He adds you don’t see that everywhere and certainly not to the extent that they see it in Crittenden County, and they want to return the favor.
School officials say a community-wide survey launched in early June resulted in some great ideas and avenues to get the program off the ground. Qualls says that student-athletes have plans to assist with the local nursing home, animal shelters, and some church needs later this fall, but that their first project is providing assistance with the water crisis in Marion by providing labor to unload and distribute water in conjunction with the city’s response team. He notes their first opportunity to help came earlier this week when members of the high school football team joined forces with Marion Church of Christ to unload supplies received from The Churches of Christ Disaster Relief Effort out of Nashville, Tennessee, as part of the county’s continued efforts during the water crisis. Coordinator Teresa Foster says they appreciate the great help from the coach and the rest of the team, and they have already had offers of help from other teams in the school district.
Rocket football quarterback and junior Micah Newcom says he is proud to be a part of the Rockets Give Back program. He says the community supports the team, and they owe them the same respect. Without our community, Newcom adds, our programs wouldn’t be what they are today.
