The Earlham College men’s and women’s basketball teams are reaching out to the community with the second annual Coats, Cans and Cash project.

“The players feel that it is very important to help make a difference in the lives of those who are less fortunate,” says first-year women’s coach Melissa Johnson ‘03. “We have felt such a great outpouring of support from the Richmond community that we want to take a moment and give back any way we can.”

Admission to the Athletics and Wellness Center and to the basketball doubleheader against Franklin College on Saturday, Dec. 10, will be a donation of a winter coat, a non-perishable food item, or a cash donation of $5 or more per person.

The women’s game begins at 1 p.m. with the men’s game following at 3 p.m. The donation also provides admission to and use of the Athletics and Wellness Center beginning at 9 a.m. until 6 p.m. that day.

“The players are very excited by the chance to get involved in the community,” Johnson says. “They are stepping up to the plate and asking what more they can do for the Richmond community.”

In addition to the Coats, Cans and Cash project, the men’s team is establishing a mentoring program at Galileo Charter School.

“It is good for our guys to help out in the community like this,” says first-year head coach Marcus Gill. “Our guys learn just as much from working with the kids as the kids learn from us. The kids look up to us as positive role models, and it’s good for our guys to know that there are young people out there who look up to them.”

Member’s of the women’s team rotate and volunteer each Wednesday at HELP The Animals, Inc., and the women’s team will help with the Boys and Girls Club annual Christmas Shop.

“We will be on hand to help the young girls and boys pick gifts for their families and help get them wrapped,” Johnson says.

Last year’s coats, cans and cash effort netted $150, more than 80 coats and 300+ pounds of canned goods.