Yuba City grandmother does her part to buy team hoodies

With chants of "defense, defense, get in there, take the ball back, we can do this," Lorrie Helm of Yuba City cheered on her granddaughter's basketball team.

Helm, a self-taught jewelry maker, sold beaded necklaces and earrings courtside last week as a fundraiser to try to cover the $300 cost for blue hooded sweatshirts with gold trim that the Faith Christian High girls basketball team has on order.

"I asked the coach if they needed anything, and he said they (the players) really would like sweatshirts," the 63-year-old Helm said.

That's when she sprung into action, setting up a large table near the gymnasium entrance so no one could miss her display. She plans to sell her jewelry at home games throughout the season.

"It makes me feel really good to be able to help out," Helm said.

Coach Robert Hendricks said, "She has been a blessing. She stepped in and filled a void."

The sweatshirts, sporting a basketball and the school name, should arrive just in time for the girls to wear during the Faith Christian Christmas Invitational on Dec. 27-29.

Helm plans to be there, cheering on her granddaughter, Victoria Helm, and the rest of the squad.

"I enjoy watching the games and I'm actually kind of a crazy grandma. Not a lot of grandmas jump up and down and holler like I do," she said.