MUNCIE, Ind. — Football players, third-year Carson Holmer and second-year Cole Stumbaugh, are nearing the end of the football season and Ball State’s fall semester. Unlike many other students, they are deciding to stay in Muncie over the winter to work and connect with the community.
Holmer and Stumbaugh have been doing this work since last year for those looking for a more affordable way to hire physical labor. The two players say many people in the Muncie community need help with physical tasks that they cannot afford to hire to be done.
“You know, there are a lot of people, whether it's age, disabilities, or no matter what it is, that just need help around the community,” said Homer. “And you know, we know that we're in the position where we're able to help them out.”
One woman who has worked with the two before, Melissa McDaniel, says she thinks what they do is a great help to the community.
“I think it is a fantastic job. These people need help, [especially] for disabled veterans. What they're doing for the community is wonderful,” said McDaniel. “The word needs to get spread around.”
One man who hired the two to help move furniture was veteran JR Brown. He said that what they do is very helpful for those who don't have the means to do it themselves and makes a good impact on the community.
“We don't have the moving companies that we used to have here in Muncie. If you want something moved, you either own a truck or you gotta go to U-Haul and rent one,” said Brown.
Stumbaugh says that working with the community helps build a connection between BSU and the people living in Muncie. Building these relationships now can also help them later in life.
“Just having a great connection could obviously lead to better opportunities in the future for us if we want a job or any other things like that,” said Stumbaugh.
The two players hope to build relationships with people while making some extra money during their time at BSU, and to bring some light to people's daily lives.
“What we hope to do is kind of just help other people out. Make a little cash on the side, if that's necessary, but really connect with some people… kind of build a connection to where Ball State is a little bit more in their lives, and kind of bring some more joy and just help them out,” said Stumbaugh.
Contact Landon Jones via email landon.jones2@bsu.edu.
