Henry Ford II basketball players volunteer at Grace Centers of Hope

SHELBY TOWNSHIP/UTICA/STERLING HEIGHTS — Utica Community Schools varsity basketball players from Henry Ford II High School in Sterling Heights volunteered at a Pontiac-based nonprofit organization, Grace Centers of Hope, to help prepare and serve dinner to participants in the one-year Men’s Life Skills program Feb. 8.

The 13 girls were accompanied by their coach, Matt Joseph.

Grace Centers of Hope is one of the leading faith-based nonprofits in southeastern Michigan, supporting men, women and children who are impacted by homelessness, addiction, poverty and abuse. On any given night, according to the nonprofit organization, Grace Centers of Hope provides transitional and emergency shelter to 150 to 200 men, women and children, in addition to serving more than 100,000 meals each year.

Joseph said it was great to help cook and serve the residents. 

“I feel it is important for our kids to give back to the community, and our basketball team is such a helpful and giving group that it was a perfect fit. We also adopt a family every Christmas and visit the home with me playing Santa and our players as Santa’s helpers. They have fun and enjoy serving others less fortunate than them,” he said.

Kevin M. Hines, the volunteer coordinator at Grace Centers of Hope, said the organization greatly appreciates the girls from Henry Ford II High School coming out to lend a hand.

“The team did a super job assisting with dinner. The girls varsity basketball team was here on Feb. 8 to help prepare and serve dinner to the men in our one-year Life Skills program at Grace Centers of Hope. They were a huge help, and we had a lot of fun. We are looking forward to having them all out again soon,” he said.