WLOX: Community leaders, high school football team collab for backpack giveaway in Ocean Springs

OCEAN SPRINGS, Miss. (WLOX) - Cars filled the parking lot of Macedonia Baptist Church in Ocean Springs on Saturday as families were lined up and ready to receive some backpacks for their children.

It’s all thanks to the Distinguished Gentlemen of Ocean Springs and their reflection on what it was like for them growing up looking for supplies.

“Sometimes it gets trying because we couldn’t get to the store on time or whatever else was going on,” said Rickey Young. “So, this is a one-stop shop where you come here, pick up all your essentials, and get ready to start school tomorrow.”

Young is the secretary for the organization and said this is their 9th year doing this drive and had help this time around from the Ocean Springs High School football team.

“I played basketball and my little brother played football for Ocean Springs,” said Young. “So, we do have a bond with the school itself and with the team, it’s like them giving back other than being on the football field and entertaining us on the field. They also have a way to give back to the community.”

The idea of helping out the community was something that head football coach Jake Bramlett said the team didn’t want to pass up.

“It’s a chance for us to give to them instead of them just coming to us and supporting us on Friday nights and all the events we put on,” said Coach Jake Bramlett. “It’s a chance for these guys to give back to the younger people and even people their own age that need a little help with school supplies and they’re amazing for showing up to these charity opportunities.”

Coach Bramlett said even though he’s still new and going on his second year, he wants to do more community projects with the team to showcase unity.

“We unify ourselves with not only the football team but the community as well,” said Coach Bramlett. “You’re only taking strides towards greatness and we’re trying to solidify those things in our locker room and community.”

Both men said it’s important to lend a helping hand whenever it possible no matter how small it may seem.

“These men like I said jumped on that, they’re here taking time out of their Saturday to do that. And there will be a point in time where we may need a hand ourselves and hope that someone would reach out to us like this organization has done,” said Coach Bramlett.

“We have so many students go out to different colleges and to see these same faces come back and give back to the community they grew up in and get educated in is a great thing. I think it’s both a community-related thing and educational growth for all these young people,” said Young.

The Distinguished Gentlemen of Ocean Springs says they will be holding a Thanksgiving meal giving away in November.