Friday Features: VSU Men's Hoops Hosts Inaugural Helfer's Heroes
By Chris Megginson
More than a dozen special needs children in the Valdosta, Georgia area came out to The Complex on Feb. 24 to participate in the inaugural Helfer’s Heroes, a special one-day camp put on by Valdosta State University men’s basketball players and head coach
Mike Helfer.
“This was so much fun,” Helfer said. “I love working with kids, and each one of these children were fantastic. They are eager to learn and laugh, and I felt like we built relationships that will last for a long, long time. I hope that we can make this an annual event. It would be great if we can reach even more kids next year."
Boys and girls from grades 3-12 were paired off one-on-one with VSU Blazer players to have conversations, work on ball handing, passing, free throws and to play a game. A game day experience was also created with each camper having the opportunity to run through the smoke machine and flames with the lights out in The Complex as their name was called. The VSU Pep Band was also playing in the arena and VSU cheerleaders were there to greet them and cheer them on. Players said being able to give these children the same experience they have was special.
“It was amazing. As student-athletes we get wrapped in our own little world of class, basketball practice, study hall, this and that, and that day it really touched your heart. It was cool to see the kids have a smile on their face and do something they love and have fun with it,” said
KJ James, a senior forward and an All-GSC selection.
All-American and 2018 GSC Player of the Year
Beau Justice admits he didn’t know what to expect going into the day.
“It was one of those things that we had to get up and go to the gym and spend five hours there not knowing what we were getting ourselves into, but once we got there we didn’t want to leave,” Justice said. “It was one of the best things I’ve been a part of since I’ve been at Valdosta as far as working with the community and even basketball, winning games and championships. It was the ultimate feeling of being around kids and seeing them enjoy life and enjoy the game, but at the same time be thankful of everything we were doing for them.”
It was Justice’s first time to work around children with disabilities or special needs. James said he’d had limited previous experience referring wheel chair basketball back home in Charleston, S.C.
“I told (my teammates) to be patient. They’re regular kids. They’re out here to have fun and be with us and soak up the whole atmosphere,” James said.
Both Justice and James said talking with the athlete they were paired with was their highlight, especially their conversations over lunch, which included anything from life, food and games.
“They were very genuine and real, and you don’t get that a lot these days. They know who they are and they love who they are, and they’re not afraid to show it. Being able to sit down and hang out with them was amazing,” Justice said.
Through the course of the day, T-shirts were signed, photos taken and numbers exchanged. Justice and his camper, Maggie, text occasionally. The two were reunited recently at a Special Olympics event through one of Justice’s classes.
“There’s no way we could turn that down after the experience we had with Helfer’s Heroes,” Justice said. “It makes you feel blessed that you were able to meet the people and see how strong they are, how good of character they have. They face challenges every day we never see and knowing that if they can do that then we can definitely get by with our day-to-day struggles.”
Helfer’s Heroes is just one way Gulf South Conference Student-Athletes are finding to serve their communities.
“It's so important for us to reach out to all of the kids in our community and do what we can to impact their lives in a positive way," Helfer said. “In this case, many of those kids have battles that are so much bigger than a game or season or championship. I hope we were able to help each one of them, and their parents, to have a day to remember and reflect on when their battle seems a little overwhelming."
Justice and James say they hope they begin serving others like this in the future beyond their time at VSU and hope Helfer’s Heroes continues on.
Follow Megginson on Twitter @jcmeggs. Email comments to megginsonjc@gmail.com.
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2017-18 Friday Features Archive
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Mississippi College
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Montevallo
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Valdosta State
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West Georgia
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Alabama Huntsville
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Union
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Lee
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