Barbara Farris delivers her message. Paul Hickey/Shock Photo

You may have already read a little bit about the work that Detroit Shock forward Barbara Farris has done in the community this off-season. You may have read about how she lights up a room when she walks in and relates so well to every single person, from the father in the shirt and tie, to the little daughter in the ‘Winnie the Pooh’ hand-me-down shirt.

Almost every day, Farris is in a new spot meeting new people and telling them her story. Telling them how she grew up as a “big-boned, awkward little girl” who saw violence and sickness as a youngster but was given an extraordinary opportunity, through basketball, to make it where she is today. Farris not only wears a WNBA championship ring with pride, but she wears it with fun. She has spoken to elementary schools, youth groups, anti-violence groups, homeless shelters, children’s centers for at risk youth – touching all-in-all easily into the thousands of people this off-season.

And each time, it is unique. Each time there is a new person that she brings to life by encouraging a smile, making conversation while signing an autograph, calling each and every individual by their name, and delivering a basic, yet phenomenal message along each step of the way. “With hard work and a strong support group around you, you can do anything – I am the perfect example,” Farris says at her most recent community event she has supported, the International Candlelight Vigil for Homeless Kids on Thursday, December 9 at Covenant House in Detroit.

Marc Ivory performs. Paul Hickey/Shock Photo

Over 200 young men and women watched as Farris spoke motivational words only to be followed up by a sensational Detroit Area Poetry Group consisting of poets Carmelita and Versiz. Inspirational music was provided by Marc Ivory and the excelled praise singers. The overall goal of the night was to encourage people to reach out and help the growing population of “lost children.” The night before, Farris spent time with several children of a similar capacity.

The Children’s Center, located in Detroit, held it’s annual Christmas party for at risk and underprivileged children on Wednesday, December 8. Farris was in attendance, encouraging the children to have fun with the karaoke singer in attendance, as well as hang out with Santa and the elves. “Places like this make you realize how fortunate you truly are,” Farris said. “The Children’s Center does such a phenomenal job of providing a place for all these kids to come and have positive attention paid to them. It’s truly great.”

The event provided laughter for all as youngsters made cookies and crafts, ate pizza and really got into the karaoke. “This one little girl was doing the whipping her head back move along with the point/snap, it was hilarious,” Farris laughed.

While Farris doesn’t only do community work during the holiday season, it definitely is the time when it means the most to so many people. Farris will be at Hillside Furniture along with Detroit Shock Head Coach Bill Laimbeer on Monday, December 20 from 7 – 9 p.m. for ExclusiveMagazine.com’s 3rd Annual Charity Event benefiting The Children’s Hospital of Michigan, Gleaners Community Food Banks, and the Alzheimer’s Association of Michigan. The event will help raise money, food and toys/books for the less fortunate.