SportsLeader is a virtue-based mentoring and motivation program for coaches. This blog shares stories from coaches all over the country transforming lives. For more information contact Lou Judd - ljudd@sportsleader.org

Wednesday, December 22, 2010

HS Football Players Adopt a Family for Christmas / Relieving Christmas Depression

Have a Blessed CHRISTmas. Be assured of our prayers, Lou

Owl football players adopt family for Christmas
BY TONY MEALE • TMEALE@COMMUNITYPRESS.COM • DECEMBER 18, 2010

Thanks to three Mount Healthy High School football players, three children will have a Christmas that's a little merrier.

Freshman Tyree Elliot, sophomore Greg Green and junior T.J. Green - along with Fighting Owls head football coach Arvie Crouch - adopted a family for Christmas.

"It's a great tool to help our players be humble and grateful for what they've got," Crouch said. "I'm taking some players that are not very fortunate themselves, but I wanted them to see that even though they don't have everything they want, there are still kids out there worse off."

The team raised about $100 at the Mount Healthy football banquet for this endeavor.

Crouch took his players to the Toys "R" Us on Colerain Avenue Dec. 15 to buy toys for three children ages 5, 6 and 10 who live in Mount Healthy.

The adopted family will receive its presents Dec. 21.

Crouch, who adopted families when he taught at Madison Elementary, said he wanted to bring this holiday tradition to Mount Healthy.

"I wanted to do it here and felt it would be a good experience for these guys to be involved in," Crouch said. "I plan on making it a tradition."

...

By Randy Traeger

Friends,
We are called to spread Christmas "Joy", but its hard when there are so many people around us who are suffering from the effects of clinical Christmas "Stress and Depression". Most of this stress and depression is caused by:

1. Absence of a beloved family member that creates feelings of loneliness and regret.
2. Family conflicts that have been "stewing" all year come to a head with family gathering.
3. The pressure of gift buying and expectations with tight budgets in poor economic times.
4. Physical exhaustion brought on by holiday shopping, schedule changes, and social obligations.
5. Loneliness for the elderly, isolated, and socially outcast. No family, no friends.
6. Seasonal emotional disorder brought on by winter and the lack of daylight.

How can you help?

Fist of all, we need to be extremely sensitive to these causes of stress and depression in ourselves and others. Recognize the symptoms and see if you cant directly address the pain. Put your entire focus outside yourself and into loving and serving others who are suffering. Ease their pain and you will receive JOY this Christmas

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