The Cheerleaders at R.B. Hudson STEAM Academy spent the month of November collecting canned goods to donate to the Christian Outreach Alliance Food Pantry ahead of the upcoming holiday season.

According to Cheerleading Coach Ashlyn Goodwin, the cheerleaders complete a community service project each month.
Last month, the team collected toiletry items do donate to SABRA Sanctuary in support of Domestic Violence Awareness Month.

Goodwin said she was pound to see her team work together and give back to the community.

“It’s very rewarding,” she said.

Goodwin hopes that participating in the community service projects will shape her team into compassionate members of the community in the future.

“Athletics are very important,” she said. “What they do on this team, now, will impacts them as adults. I hope they continue to give back and participate in community service even after they are cheerleaders.”

Dianne Harris, a Foot Soldier of the Voting Rights Movement and retired teacher, served as a volunteer with the project.

Goodwin said Harris was wonderful to work with.

“I grew up seeing Mrs. Harris in my mom’s church,” she said. “I’m just trying to inspire these kids to give back the same way she inspired me.”