"The Lady Cardinals Care." That's the motto of the Mesa Grande Academy women's varsity basketball team. The Lady Cardinals put this motto into action recently at a Christmas season event on the academy campus in Calimesa, Calif.

On Sunday, Dec. 9, 31 special-needs young people with Down syndrome, autism, cerebral palsy and other developmental challenges forgot about their disabilities and joined the Lady Cardinals for an afternoon of fun, camaraderie and training in basketball fundamentals at the academy gym.

For three hours parents, watched their children participate in an activity that many of them would normally not have the opportunity to experience. Participants received a training camp T-shirt, plenty of food and drinks, a certificate of participation, and a season pass to all Lady Cardinal home games — all at no cost to them.

It all began in March of 2007, after the Lady Cardinals' loss in the quarter-finals of the California State High School Women's Basketball Championship for small schools. "Even with that loss, we had completed another impressive season," Coach Bob Walker stated, "but it opened our eyes to the fact that it was time to give something back. We met later, and the ladies decided to use the talents they had been blessed with to reach out to those in our community who are less fortunate."

With this in mind, during the fall of 2007, Walker, Athletic Director Lucio Camacho, Principal Alfred Riddle, Pastor Eugene Bartlett, and the players began preparing for the December event. The on-campus project received overwhelming support from local businesses and individuals who, although not directly affiliated with the school, were aware of the team's accomplishments and wanted to help with the endeavor.

"This is what our Christian education is all about," said Don Dudley, superintendent of schools for the Southeastern California Conference. "Reaching out to the community like this will benefit all concerned," he said.

Since 2004, the Mesa Grande Academy Lady Cardinals have compiled a 103-35 record, won four consecutive league championships, played in two Southern California Sectional Title games, and advanced to the California State High School playoffs as the Southern California representative three times.