Women’s Basketball Serves Others on Thanksgiving

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HIGH POINT, N.C. – In the midst of a busy four-day road trip in North Carolina, the Mercer women’s basketball team found time to volunteer at a soup kitchen on Thanksgiving morning.  The 20-person travel party helped serve food, cleaned tables and brought their holiday spirit to visitors at the Open Door Ministries Father’s Table.

“Our Director of Operations Kenetta Kelly did an outstanding job finding us a people in High Point to share our Thanksgiving with,” Mercer head coach Susie Gardner said.  “It was truly one of my proudest moments as the coach at Mercer when I saw our players serving, sharing and giving.  It was amazing.”

After making the half hour trip from Winston-Salem, N.C. to High Point on Thursday morning, the Bears left their luggage at the hotel and boarded the bus en route to Open Door Ministries.  Upon arrival, the players and coaches were greeted with friendly faces welcoming an extra hand.

After serving meals, cleaning tables and spending time with visitors, the players gave the guests an unexpected treat.  Under direction of assistant coach Tiffany Swoffard, the players sang a rendition of “Oh Happy Day”, a gospel musical arrangement made popular by the Edwin Hawkins Singers in 1967.

Mercer’s rendition featured solos by junior forward Sharmesia Smith, freshman guard Alicia Williams and manager Tahitia Butler.

Coach Gardner and several players were also interviewed by a reporter from News 14 Carolina, a state-wide news organization in North Carolina.  Click here to view the report.

After spending roughly two hours at the Open Door Ministry, the Bears loaded the bus and headed to High Point University for practice in preparation for their game against the Panthers.  Friday night’s game is scheduled for a 7 p.m. tip.