Football players in town for the Agent Barry Live United Bowl spent time Friday visiting four programs supported by United Way of Greater Texarkana.
Missouri Western State University and the Southern Arkansas University football players visited Runnin' WJ Ranch, Opportunities Inc., PRIDE Academy and Texarkana Resources for the Disabled.
The Gazette caught up with SAU players at Texarkana Resources for the Disabled, an organization that has a work training program for clients of varying abilities and talents with the hopes of preparing them to find employment in the community.
Drew Crawford, a right guard for the SAU Muleriders, pitched in as trainees at Texarkana Resources boxed Sterno and stacked it on pallets.
"This is really cool. Seeing people be able to use their talents, and we all have talents, is awesome. I'm so busy back at school I don't get many chances to do this but being able to help the community makes me feel really good," Crawford said.
Jennifer Lewis, executive director of Texarkana Resources, said the visit from the football players is a highlight for the people there.
"It's means a lot to them. It's about normalization and getting to interact with community members. Our trainees are a big part of the community. They all go to the game and they support the United Way and its mission so this visit makes them feel extra special and that their efforts aren't going unnoticed," she said.
Lewis addressed the team as a group before they divided up to help the trainees with different projects.
"We're all a team here. All together we piece together this work. It's all about teamwork kind of like football," she said.
Guanye Darden is a trainee at Texarkana Resources. He enjoyed interacting with the football team.
"I like it. It's cool. I hope they win," he said.
The Live United Bowl kicks off at noon today at Arkansas High Stadium. Tailgating starts at 8 a.m. and gates open at 10 a.m.