MONTGOMERY, Ala. ---- On the weekend before the start of the regular season, the Auburn Montgomery women's basketball team celebrated Make a Difference day by reading to local children.

It is the 16th straight year that the program has volunteered for the national event, which took place on Saturday, October 27. Head Coach Dan Davis went with half of the team to the Heritage View Apartments, while assistant Haley McIntyre Rosa took the rest of the Warhawks to the Molina Learning Center. Rosa has now experienced the event as a player and coach at AUM.

"It's always such a great event to go out and be able to give back to the community," Rosa said. "Our young ladies can be great representatives for these kids, who may not have good role models in their lives."

An estimated 35 children attended the two events. Dr. Nancy Anderson, Associate Professor of English and Philosophy and Director of the Actions Build Community Program at AUM, coordinates the day annually with the team.

The concept of the event is to provide local youth with an opportunity to improve their own personal library of books, but in the process, they read and interact with members of the AUM team.

"We cherish the opportunity to read with them, promote literacy, and try to keep them in school," Rosa said. "It's great to interact with them and give them a positive experience."

After a victory over Reinhardt on Tuesday, the women's basketball team continues its season at 1 p.m. on Friday against Concordia-Selma. The game is part of the Jimmy Faulkner Classic, hosted by Faulkner University.