MOREHEAD, Ky. -- The Morehead State football team took time out of its busy spring workout schedule to assist with community service projects on April 14.

The Football Eagles, along with members of the MSU rifle team as well, helped with the annual Build-a-Bed project in Morehead. Football also helped with clean up efforts at Rodburn Park.

MSU Build-a-Bed is an annual event led by campus and area community organizations.  It began in 2009 as a Americorps project to provide beds to children in Kentucky who do not have adequate sleeping arrangements.  From 2010 until the present, MSUCorps has brought the project to our region partnering with Retired Senior Volunteer Program (RSVP), MSU Regional Engagement and Outreach, Frenchburg JobCorp and other community partners.

On April 14, more than 300 volunteers gathered to build 258 beds for children in MSU's surrounding 30 counties.  Children receive hand-built beds, mattresses, pillows, sheets, handmade quilts and afghans, books, stuffed animals, toiletry items and nightlights or alarm clocks.

"We heavily rely on the MSU Football Team and (Community Service Coordinator) Coach (Gene) Peterson to help us during this impactful day," said Melisa Patrick, regional engagement and outreach coordinator. "The team brings such great energy and enthusiasm as they lift, load and tie down every bed in rain or shine. I know they sense the change they are helping to bring to these youth who will be getting their first good night's sleep that evening.  This change will impact them health wise, academically and in their self-esteem."

Along with football, every other MSU team has taken part in community service this year, and in fact MSU Athletics will be participating in 1,000 hours of community service from April 21-May 5. All student-athletes and staff will take part in at least three hours of community service, with most putting in even greater hours.