MC Student-Athletes Shower Kids with Christmas Gifts

Mississippi College Lady Choctaws basketball players enjoyed the fun as a girl opens her Christmas gift at Alumni Hall. The Fellowship of Christian Athletes sponsored the Christmas party on December 6.

Seventeen metro Jackson children enjoyed the blessings of the Christmas season at Mississippi College.

Student-athletes from MC, Mt. Salus and the Clinton Christian Academy turned out by the hundreds to bring joy to the kids at Alumni Gym.

Boys and girls couldn’t stop smiling as they unwrapped their presents on the basketball floor. The MC chapter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes sponsored the Christmas party on December 6. MC coaches and Athletic Department staff joined the festivities.

“Thank you from the bottom of my heart to our coaches and athletes who embraced this effort,” said Justin Graves, FCA director on the Clinton campus. “This party was about 17 kids who without help wouldn’t have a Christmas.”

Student-athletes collected the money, visited retail stores, wrapped up the presents and handed out the gifts.

There was worship time on the Clinton campus before the kids opened their presents. Athletes from MC, Mt. Salus and CCA were happy to “adopt” the children for one joyful evening.

Mississippi College coaches like Don Lofton, John Bland, Paul Duke, Butch Ard and Brooke O’Hair joined the party along Athletic Director Mike Jones. So did the kids’ family members on a chilly Wednesday evening. There was time for hugs and plenty of photos.

David Nichols, the Mississippi College sports information director, was delighted to see so many MC students support this good cause as Christmas nears. While final exams were approaching, students took time away from their studies to make the evening super special for the kids.

“It was quite inspirational to see all of our student-athletes come together during the holidays and have the ability to bless these families,” Nichols said.

“A lot of times, you think you are doing the blessing. But seeing the looks on the kids and their families’ faces, that was the true blessing to Mississippi College athletics.”

Football, basketball, track, cross country and softball players for the Blue & Gold were among the MC teams represented.

Graves wants the initial event to become an annual FCA-sponsored Christmas tradition at Mississippi College.

Founded in 1954, Kansas City-based FCA is a Christian sports ministry seeking to see the world impacted for Jesus Christ through the influence of coaches and athletes. FCA members encourage people to make a difference for Christ.