As the holiday season approaches, the awareness for community members in need rises.

The men’s soccer team, however, is aware of this need all year round as they serve meals at the Evansville Rescue Mission on the first Wednesday of every month.

The only months where the team can’t always participate are June and July when so many team members return to their hometowns. Even during these months local members try to get a large enough group together to serve.

Senior Lucas Woodford started this outreach program four years ago following his first season as a defender on the team, but this was not his first experience with helping the community.

“I had done something like this a few times with my family and their small group with church,” the sport management major said. “One time I was there and I was just like, ‘I wonder if this is something the soccer guys would be interested in doing?’”

Woodford doesn’t major in social services but instead said his desire to help people comes from his family.

“I think it is just how I was raised with my parents and also my church background,” he said. “I’ve been going to church with my parents since I was born. They raised me as someone who looks out for others and wants to serve others as much as possible.”

The next step for Woodford, after discussing the idea with the Rescue Mission, was to approach the team’s head coach, Mat Santoro.

Santoro said he knew the team could do more outreach and was pleased with the idea when Woodford asked him about policy regarding it.

“We wanted to do more (in the community),” Santoro said. “We were still kind of finding our way and (Woodford) came to us with this idea. It was an example of the leadership (Woodford) would continue to show during his time here.”

Santoro said the coaching staff looks for good character in men, not just talented athletes. He knew Woodford would fit with the team well.

“He had a combination of humility and confidence,” Santoro said.

After Santoro was on board, the time came for Woodford to introduce the topic to the team.

“When I first introduced this with the guys, what I really wanted to get across was for them to realize how lucky they are (and)the opportunities we have to play soccer in college and come to a university like USI,” Woodford said.

Part of what drew Woodford to the university to begin with was the fact that he knew other players with a plan to attend. He also saw how close the team was on one of his early visits.

The team took Woodford’s idea and as a group were all on board.

“The reaction from the guys was great. They were all really excited to do something like this,” Woodford said. “A lot of the guys took the opportunity how I wanted them to, as an opportunity to feel thankful for what we have at USI.”

One of the players who was on the original team Woodford approached was Logan Ball.

Ball met Woodford in eighth grade and said he has always wanted to help those around him.

Ball said he thought going to the Rescue Mission was a great opportunity to serve those less fortunate in the community.

“(The team) didn’t look at (community service) for attention,” Ball said.

He said it was a way to help and serve others and the team didn’t look at it as a project.

The team members are expected to be at the Rescue Mission serving meals on that first Wednesday as long as the player does not have an academic conflict.

When new players join the team it is made clear serving meals at the Rescue Mission is a part of being on the team.

Woodford said no one on the team is forced to go, but they have never had a problem with a player being unwilling to participate.

“The guys are willing to go. It’s never an effort, it’s never pulling teeth, it’s never a worry that people won’t show up,” Santoro said.

Santoro said leadership goes both ways on a team. The players have to take the opportunity to be leaders just as the coaches do.

“This isn’t something they were told to do,” Santoro said. “It’s where their hearts are.”

The bonding during community service helps the team both on and off the field, but Santoro said what they do at the Rescue Mission means more than winning a game.

“It’s all about when those people give a smile and a thank you and you see that happiness on their face,” he said. “That’s everything, that’s the reward.”

The team has created relationships with people at the Rescue Mission, but Woodford said no one pushes for information or names.

“We’ve come to notice some people aren’t happy with the situation they are in and maybe aren’t proud of the fact that they have to reach out for help like this to get meals,” Woodford said. “So, we like to let them just be who they are while they’re there. We just want them to feel as comfortable as possible.”

Woodford said the group does not want people to feel like they are there to judge them.

“Unfortunately for some of them, their situations have ended up where they have been unable to provide food for themselves and shelter,” he said. “We just want to help them as much as possible to get back on their feet.”

Ball said each time they go it is a humbling experience that puts his own life in perspective.

“They are people just like you and me,” Ball said. “They are just struggling right now.”

Both Woodford and Ball graduate in May but neither are worried about the status of the outreach program once they leave.

Woodford said he thinks Coach Santoro will keep a good hand on the program and many of the upcoming team leaders understand the importance of keeping the program going.

Santoro said despite Woodford and the other seniors graduating this year, he knows their leadership will help the team continue successfully on the field and in community service.

“We do develop an emotional attachment to these guys and a part of us never wants them to leave,” Santoro said. “The guys on the team, they will go on, but the leadership and legacy that they leave by being good students, good leaders and great people makes a difference.”