The Marian Fillies are in the midst of a busy basketball season that includes two to three games a week and practices every day in between.

Yet team members reserved time in their hectic schedules to help make the Christmas and New Year holiday seasons happy ones for residents of the Forest Hills Rehabilitation and Healthcare Center, Weatherly.

The service project, said Tammy Serfass, president of the Fillies Basketball Booster Club who organized the event, “offered the girls invaluable lessons that will stay with them on and off the court.”

To the delight of the administration at the home, the Fillies’ visit was warmly received, said Denise Skrabak, activities director.

“Our residents loved seeing the team members when they visited our skilled nursing facility,” Skrabak said. “In fact, several residents played basketball in high school and shared some memories about their local rivalries and how the game has changed since then.

“The team was very generous and even brought some gifts for the residents. It was a very heartwarming visit and our thanks go out to the team.”

Serfass, whose daughters, Olivia and Sophia, are team members, said being involved in Fillies’ basketball is not just about the rigors of practices and games.

“The girls get involved in team-building experiences, and from traveling to Slippery Rock for an overnight scrimmage, to pizza parties and to service projects like this one, ultimately, their bond grew stronger,” Serfass said.

According to Damian Fritz, head coach, participants in the program learn more than basketball.

“When you look at what we do, it fits into the philosophy we wear on our warm-ups on game day, ‘Our Way; Run As One,’ ” he said. “It’s a symbol of relationships, and being there for one another and others. And it’s not only on the basketball floor, it’s within the community, too.”

Giving back

At Forest Hills, Serfass said, being able to visit residents and spend time with them “sparked the team members’ passion for giving back.”

She said through the club’s efforts, parents donated items such as individual packs of crackers, mints, notepads, puzzle books, tissues and hand lotion, which enabled the girls to create “blessing bags” they delivered to residents.

“Anytime we can get our girls into the community to support anyone, especially the less fortunate, it puts things in perspective,” Fritz said. “There was a lot of emotion from our girls. The cellphones were put away and it was a time to interact with the guests at the home. A lot of the girls came away moved, because they have a great desire to give of themselves to others.”

Serfass said the trip to Weatherly was a special opportunity for the team.

“The girls were able to share the joy of Christmas carols with the residents, spreading love and kindness,” she said. “The heartwarming encounter not only blessed the residents, but also impacted the team members, reminding them the true spirit of giving lies in receiving.”

Fritz said there were people at the home who wanted to share stories of their lives.

“So, it was a great opportunity for the girls to give of themselves and at the same time, be there for those who often want someone to talk to,” the coach said.

During the team visit, the girls offered prayers, told stories, brought smiles and hugs and also shared stories, life lessons and smiles.

Addy Fritz, the coach’s daughter, thought it was a great opportunity to give back to the community.

“We sang a lot of Christmas songs as a team and the residents joined us,” she said. “Our experience there was great, and it was special to share time with the residents. We were touched.”

One of the girls, Deanna Pugh, said, “The impact our visit had on us, as well as the residents, was truly remarkable and special.”

Making an impact

Olivia Serfass said it was a humbling experience to meet the residents and hear their stories.

“I can’t wait to go back there to provide them the fellowship they desire,” she said.

Freshman Addy Marek really enjoyed the time spent at the facility.

“Our team felt good to be able to make the residents smile at Christmastime, but we got so much out of the day, too,” she said. “We left feeling like we made their day brighter. But the smiles, hugs and prayers we received from the residents made our team’s Christmas season fuller and left an impact on us all.”

She said the team’s motto of “Run as One” emphasizes working together instead of focusing on themselves, and that, she said, “means collectively focusing on others, too.”

“Coach Fritz encourages our team to include our family members, fan and community in this motto,” she said. “I love that our program looks to give back to our community in many ways during the year.”