By MICKEL PONTHIEUX / Sports Reporter

NORTH SHELBY – The Oak Mountain baseball team recently collected donations to help those in a poverty-stricken part of the United States have a merry Christmas.

Pam Bradford of Hueytown who has been making trips to Owsley County, Ky. for years to meet the dire needs contacted Oak Mountain head coach Brian Breeze to inform the team on what they could contribute.

“We have actually helped the people of the Appalachian Mountains for many years,” said Bradford. “The last several years we have concentrated on one area – it is the poorest county in the United States.”

The Eagles banded together with Bradford and raised money to buy the children of Owsley County bicycles.

“Our guys brought in some money and donations and went to Wal-Mart,” said Oak Mountain head baseball coach Brian Breeze. “Wal-Mart ended up letting us buy several bicycles with the money that we had.

“We were just trying to help out any way we could. Hopefully every year this thing will get better and bigger,” Breeze added.

The Eagles will continue to help Bradford in her efforts to help the people of Owsley. She makes three trips to Kentucky: Easter, beginning of school and Christmas. Each time clothes, food and shoes are brought with additional gifts for the holidays.

Bradford accepts any and all donations she can get to help Owsley County residents.

“We do not turn down anything,” she said. “We have started having yard sales with anything we can’t transport.”

To contribute donations or for more information, call Pam Bradford at 966-1379 or Jamie at 514-3460.