Wallace baseball and basketball players paid a visit to Sophia P. Kingston Elementary to read to students and offer life lessons on Wednesday.

A receptive audience was not hard to find as the students listened intently to basketball players Chris Walker and Shauntay Gooden, assistant baseball coach Justin Hollis and others read works such as “Thump, Quack, Moo.”

“I learned something about Minnie and Moo,” said second grader Jadarirus Ellis.

“I learned about basketball,” added Kuntaveous Jones.

The outreach effort is a part of Wallace’s community service program. The athletes took a lot from the experience, but realized how much their audience took from it, too.

“We came out to inspire them,” said Gooden. We like to come in here and see excitement.”

Hollis enjoyed and fed off the enthusiasm.

“They were receptive. They loved it, and they were very attentive,” said Hollis. “I think we’re doing a service to the school. It gives them something to work toward.”

Second grade teacher Nancy Gooden was as pleased to host the Wallace players as her students were.

“It’s good exposure to come by and give back,” she said.