Since becoming the Cedartown High School Lady Bulldogs head basketball coach, Johna Tidwell has stressed the importance of community involvement and outreach to her team.

This week, Tidwell and the Lady Bulldogs basketball program, along with the Cedartown High fast-pitch softball team, gave back to the community.

“Coach Jessica Sanders and I both agreed when we met in May of 2012 that the only way to rebuild our strong female athletic program back here at Cedartown High School was to first take care of the most important goal, our community,” Tidwell said.

The teams gave back to the most precious part of the community – children. Each team purchased gifts to give to Compassion Building's Christmas Buddies Program, who, in return, made sure needy children received presents this Christmas.

“The athletes not only had a great time going out and purchasing gifts for local children and learning the value of money, but most importantly, they experienced the true meaning of what Christmas is all about,” Tidwell said.

Compassion Building, a local charity organization led by Tara Payne and Rydell Palmer, distributed the presents to children in Polk County. Their Christmas Buddies program helped 73 families and 183 children in Polk County last Christmas.

According to their web site, the mission of Compassion Building is to establish a community organization that embraces all members of the human race. Their purpose is to have a mandate, message and mission to see people made whole (spiritually, mentally, emotionally, socially and financially).

Tidwell, meanwhile, said the Lady Bulldogs basketball and softball teams will continue to give back to the community as often as possible.

“We will continue to work hard to give back to our special community,” Tidwell said.

Tidwell also wanted to thank several people and organizations for their help.

“I just want to thank organizations such as Compassion Building, the Junior Service League, the Samaritan House, the Boys and Girls Club, Mr. Elliott Gammage, the Tip Off Club booster president, and many others that I may have failed to mention for all their help,” Tidwell said.

“I want to personally say thank you to them for believing in our female athletes at CHS by providing them with endless opportunities to give back to this awesome community,” Tidwell said.