The Whale Branch Early Learning College High School Football Team members, led by Coach Jerry Hatcher, participate in community service through a variety of projects. Coach Hatcher wants his team to excel at football and learn values by helping others.

[caption id="attachment_15869" align="alignleft" width="300"]<a href="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Team.jpg"><img class="size-medium wp-image-15869" alt="Whale Branch Early College High School Warriors gather with their public private partners for a safe and thorough roadway cleanup Saturday, March 29." src="http://www.yourislandnews.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/04/Team-300x225.jpg" width="300" height="225" /></a> Whale Branch Early College High School Warriors gather with their public private partners for a safe and thorough roadway cleanup Saturday, March 29.[/caption]

Early March 29, 2014, a dreary Saturday morning, team members gathered for their latest project; cleanup of several highly littered roadways in their community.    Coach Hatcher’s vision has drawn many members of the public to assist and support the Warriors.  Before the Warriors went on the road, Cpl. JP Cooper of the Beaufort County Sheriff’s Office reviewed safety rules for roadway cleanup. Adam Fazio, owner of Mattress Firm and former high school player, gave the team a powerful talk about the importance of values as they go forward to college and careers. Mr. Fazio,  inspired by Coach Hatcher’s program will be a supporter of all future efforts. SC Department of Transportation and Keep Beaufort County Beautiful representatives participated by providing supplies, coordination and information for the cleanup. The more than 30 players and volunteers removed 40 bags of litter from the highway.

Another project on Coach Hatcher’s list is reading to Whale Branch Elementary students. This big brother approach not only helps the young readers but gives his Warriors an opportunity to teach and help younger students.  Coach Hatcher summed it up by calling it “a win-win project for all.”

Whale Branch’s Junior ROTC program also participates in roadway cleanup around their school by participating in the Adopt A Highway program. Other schools have adopted their connecting roadways including:  Whale Branch Middle School, Battery Creek High School JROTC, Robert Smalls JROTC, Shanklin Elementary, St. Helena Elementary and Beaufort Academy.  For more information about litter reduction and Keep Beaufort County Beautiful, contact 255-2734.
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