By Ryan Palencer
INDIANAPOLIS — While most high school hallways will feature stories from spring break trips out of town, a group of Ben Davis students will have their own unique tale.
A group of Ben Davis football players and two coaches volunteered their time with the Habitat for Humanity of Greater Indianapolis. Though they have been building the part for interior and exterior wall panels in the school’s workshop for 22 Habitat homes, the group seized the opportunity to volunteer on an actual house on Friday.
“It’s a great opportunity for them to give back to the community and see the value in doing something outside of themselves,” Kyle Mullins, one of the coaches, said. “For the past four days, we have been working with Habitat. It’s good to see them realize that they are doing something for someone who can’t necessarily afford it. Having this done is going to make them just as proud as a regular homeowner. It’s good to see them give up their time, especially on the last Friday of spring break. They could very easily be at home on the couch or in Florida serving themselves, but they’re here serving someone else.”
Ben Davis player Mike Brevard said the choice to volunteer was not tough.
“I wouldn’t say that it’s difficult (to spend spring break volunteering),” Brevard said. “I’m doing this out of the goodness of my heart because it’s always good to help somebody.”
Mullins said he was pleased with the turnout of players and with the effort that the program makes toward community service.
“Every day, we had at least five or six,” Mullins said. “Today was probably our biggest turnout. They’re pretty good about that. We do quite a bit of community service. We have good involvement.”
Brevard, who is a junior, lists community service as one of his prime motivations.
“This is one of my priorities, I would say,” Brevard said. “This is my first year at Ben Davis. I transferred from a military school in Richmond, Va. Community service is what they made me do. I went from feeding the homeless to doing this, so as long as I help people, it’s cool.”
In addition to helping others, Brevard said he acquired other skills from the project.
“I like helping people, but at the same time, I’m learning how to cut things, how to measure things, how to hammer,” he said.
Mullins said he hopes leading the project gives him and other coaches an opportunity to be role models for the players, and assist in continuing their education outside of the classroom.
“We try to be (a role model) the best way that we can,” he said. “I know that this year and last year that me and (coach Thomas Meeker) have been heading this up. He is the science teacher and I teach wood shop. I try to give them a little bit of background into how to use tools before they get here.”
ryan.palencer@flyergroup.com
