MACON, Ga. – The Mercer baseball team recently stepped off the diamond to lend a helping hand in the community with the Boys and Girls Club and Habitat for Humanity.

The Bears spent two days apiece at each respective organization in an effort to strengthen the community by working with kids and rebuilding houses.

“We feel very fortunate to be a part of and help contribute to two great organizations such as the Boys and Girls Club and Habitat for Humanity,” head coach Craig Gibson said. “Our guys always feel proud when they go out and help people in the community and I think it is just a reflection of the type of people we have in our program.”

The players first worked with Habitat for Humanity on two houses in a neighborhood in South Macon. The first house was being rebuilt and the players helped configure the wood framing and attach siding. The second house needed new landscaping, so the players laid down sod and planted trees and bushes.

The Bears next moved onto the Central Georgia Boys and Girls Club where they spent two days interacting with the kids. The players taught the kids how to stretch and about the importance of exercise in your day-to-day life. The players then sat down and talked about the kids' futures and how important it is to be goal oriented and to stay in school. The day was capped off with some pickup basketball games outside. 
  
The 2010 version of the Bears continue preparation for their season opener on Feb. 19, at 4 p.m., against Morehead State at Claude Smith Field.