Jim Fair
Nakeem Hoke helps a child to make a necklace at Creation Station.
Jim Fair
Garrett Poole, left, and Roland Nall was the bucket brigade at Creation Station. They filled the buckets with water that was used in making paste and clay.
Jim Fair
Isaiah Long, far left, and Nakeem Hoke helped children string necklaces and select the plastic trinkets.
Jim Fair
On the home page: Nick Roberson and Hakeem Hoke model necklaces they made at Creation Station at the Greer Family Fest today.
Nakeem Hoke, a defensive lineman for Greer High School, was meticulously helping a child string a necklace at Creation Station this morning during the Greer Family Fest.
The child was too young to understand Hoke, wearing his No. 31 jersey, was the pride and joy of the community during football season. The little girl, hardly tall enough to see over the table, was interested in making a necklace like Hoke and Nick Roberson, placekicker for Greer, were wearing from the trinkets and string provided.
“It makes you feel good to come out and help connect with the kids. I hope they have something to look back on they enjoyed,” Hoke said.
A group of Greer football players volunteered their time to help the churches minister to children making arts and crafts at the popular venue named after Anne Helton, the founder of Creation Station.
Greer Head Football Coach Will Young has stressed the value of the players giving back to community. The team annually picks up trash along the highways leading to Greer High School. The players participate in the Syl Syl Toy Drive each year and contribute other hours individually or groups.
“We’re getting more involved in the community and getting the word out about Greer High football at the same time,” said Roberson. “It will make us feel good when we look back on this. It shows that we can do good things in the community.”
Roland Nall, right tackle, and Garrett Poole, left guard, two of the bigger players fetched water in buckets for the children to mix with clay and other materials.
Nall said, this being his senior season, “wants to give his best effort to help the team win a state championship. At least that’s the goal.” The 6-foot-5, 250-pound player towered over the children, some looked up in bewilderment at his size. “I have fun being out here and helping. We’re part of the community.”
Poole said the Jackets’ efforts in community service have the same focus he wants emphasized for the team.
“This year we want everybody to be part of the team. Nobody signals themselves out,” Poole said.