Pam Dudding
Contributing writer
Reading to children has always been a past time favorite for many, especially at this time of year.
For the second year in a row, the Craig County football team has taken time to read to the students at McCleary Elementary at Christmastime.
As teachers announced their coming, some kids shouted with excitement while others giggled in glee.
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“We preach to the kids to give back to their community,” shared Coach Jayke Dowdy. “We also want them to try to be good role models for future Rockets.”
The coaches asked the teachers to respond to their invitation to have their team members read to their students.
They had 12 teachers sign up to have football players to come read to them.
Some of the players responded:
- “It feels great to be able to give back to the community in any way possible, but especially to go read to the little kids because they enjoyed it, and they were glad that we read to them.” -Jaycob Wolfe
- “It felt good to give back and possibly make an elementary student’s day better.” -Josh Craft
- “It felt really good to be able to go back to the elementary school and read to the kids. I’m glad I got to be a part of making the kids happy.” -Noah Paxton
The kids responded with positive input, sharing that they liked having the “big football players read to them.”
One little boy shared that he was going to do that when he got bigger, so the impact has already started to make a difference in the little kids lives.
“We are excited any time we have a chance to be involved!” Dowdy exclaimed.
Next year they plan to continue this annual special event.
