Spartan Student-Athletes Volunteer in Flint
2/8/2016 12:00:00 AM | General
Photo by Dale G. Young, The Detroit News
EAST LANSING, Mich. -- More than 30 volunteers from the Michigan State University community -- including student-athletes from football, cross country and track, swimming and diving and rowing -- joined Spartan Marching Band members, student group leaders and athletics department staff members in distributing water and recycling bags at the Northwest Shopping Center in Flint, Michigan, on Friday, Feb. 5.
Flint native (running back) Gerald Holmes returned to his hometown to help in the relief efforts. The volunteers also included former Spartan wide receiver and current Houston Texan Keith Mumphery and former Spartan All-America wide receiver and Flint native Andre Rison.
"It means a lot," said Holmes on people helping his home community. "I got family here and my family is in need, and I'm willing to help. And the city is my family. I was born and raised here. It hurts to see my city in pain like this, but I have my teammates here, and couple of other people from school here willing to help."
Early enrollee Cam Chambers didn't waste any time in getting a chance to help with community service.
"I'm happy to be a part of it (Michigan State family)," said Chambers. "They (citizens of Flint) really need the stuff we're giving out to them. Just seeing their faces and reactions, especially the little kids, looking up to me because I play for Michigan State, it's a pretty cool feeling. You can tell that every person here, they definitely appreciate it."
Mumphery, who was a two-time recipient of the MSU Football Player Association's Community Service and Outreach Award, was back in the state of Michigan after his rookie season in the NFL with the Houston Texans, but still made time to go to Flint.
"I came out here because the lives of the people in this community, they need our help," Mumphery said. "Right now, it's a time of need; it's a crisis, the water is bad. So I feel like Spartans can come back and help lift the spirit of the community. I feel good to be back. To come back and do this, it warms my heart. This is how my momma raised me. To come back and help give back, and actually not be going to school here at the same time, it's a blessing."
"Michigan State Athletics has been good to the city of Flint," remarked Rison, who was inducted into the MSU Athletics Hall of Fame in 2015. "And Flint athletes have been good to Michigan State as well. When you need other, you gotta show up and get on ground zero. This is why Michigan State is Michigan State. This is what Spartans stand for."
