It wasn't quite a normal afternoon for the members of the women basketball team at Lambuth University on Saturday. After they finished practice earlier in the day, the team returned to the gym, compared gingerbread houses they made and then took them to the pediatric wing of Ayers Children's Medical Center at Jackson-Madison County General Hospital."When I was coaching at Monticello (Ark.), I wanted to try to do something for the team to give back to the community, and our team chaplain, Lisa Clements, and I sat down and came up with the idea of gingerbread houses," Boldon said. "We brought the idea to the players, and they were all for it."

The players were split up into six teams that made the houses, and the finished products were judged among the team members before they took them to the hospital.

"That's just something fun to do with it, but our main goal was just to give something back to the people here in Jackson," Boldon said.

The first-place honors went to Lady Eagles Donna Lavea, Yolonda Johnson and Jenee Webb for a house that, in addition to being edible, lit up, played Christmas music and displayed the nativity Christmas story.

"I feel this isn't a project or competition at all," said Lambuth player Heather Scruggs. "Instead, this is a wonderful opportunity to do something for someone else during a very important time of year.

"As a member of the Lambuth women's basketball team, we always have people doing things for us individually and as a team. This is just a small way for us to return a small favor."

Even though this is the first season for Boldon at the helm of Lady Eagles' basketball, doing charity work is not something new for the program.

Under then-head coach Joe Reints, sent five boxes loaded with Christmas gifts and necessities to U.S. soldiers stationed in Iraq.

"The letter they sent back to us melted us all," Clements said. "We had no idea that such a seemingly simple gesture could mean so much to them and us."

Boldon said it was fun hearing from the players about their progress with their houses each week at chapel service.

"I think it's very possible some of the girls are putting the finishing touches on their houses (Friday night)," Bolden joked. "But the girls have all done a good job and were looking forward to giving a little back."

Along with the houses, the team brought stockings filled with holiday treats for the patients. The houses can be seen in the hospital until Christmas.

- Brandon Shields,

425-9751