The normal outdoor setting for the districtwide Relay for Life event became the halls of Sanford H. Calhoun High School on May 13 as the community came together to fundraise for the American Cancer Society. The campsite was the gymnasium floor. The spirit, however, remained the same – unwavering.

“Relay is certainly a community event but it is also intensely personal as we all Relay for different reasons,” said Principal Nicole Hollings.
From car washes and bake sales to sporting events and pasta dinners, various teams from the district and community raised nearly $90,000.

Calhoun’s A Cup for a Cure was the top fundraising team, raking in $15,000. Kennedy’s Student Government team came in second, raising more than $12,000. As for individual fundraisers, Calhoun’s Nicole Imhof, a senior All-County softball pitcher, topped the charts with more than $8,000.

The overnight event included a festive opening ceremony, dancing, walking, sports, replay races, food, movies and camping. A middle-of-the-night break from the wet weather prompted some outdoor activities, including a somber luminaria service served as a reminder of why 450 participants came together that evening.

“There were people from Kennedy, Mepham and from every part of our community – people who came to this event wanting to remember someone special in their lives who survived or were lost, and wanting to join together to eradicate this disease,” Hollings said.

Photo Captions:

The Calhoun cheerleading squad raised more than $2,200.

Photos courtesy of Bellmore-Merrick Central High School District

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NEW ORLEANS – Georgia Southern was announced Tuesday as the winners of the Sun Belt Conference’s Monthly Community Service Award for the month of April.

Impressively, the Eagle baseball team raised $11,618 for the Vs. Cancer Foundation – a non-profit organization dedicated to fund lifesaving childhood cancer efforts. Student-athletes from the baseball team shaved their heads to support the cause and far exceeded their goal of $8,000. Half of the proceeds will go toward national childhood cancer research, while the remaining half will be donated to a local children’s hospital.

Eagle student-athletes also recently raised $1,222.14 for the American Cancer Society at the Bulloch County Relay for Life. Nearly 200 student-athletes participated in the event by lining the track for the Survivors Walk and then walked laps with the community for support of the American Cancer Society.

Student-athletes also collected 45,431 can tabs that will be donated to Ronald McDonald House with the goal of helping breast cancer patients with treatment. Other community service projects by Georgia Southern in April included volunteering in a local Red Cross blood drive and collecting toiletry items to be donated to Safe Haven – a battered women’s shelter.

The Sun Belt Community Service Initiative is a monthly competition that encourages student-athletes to get involved in their communities. Point totals are awarded based on a number of factors and the school with the most monthly points is recognized as the winner for that month. The school with the most monthly wins will be the winner of the overall competition.

http://gseagles.com/news/2016/5/3/general-georgia-southern-athletics-honored-for-community-service-work.aspx

I stood alongside my peers on the Nettleton Stadium baseball field anticipating the arrival of a very important four-year-old girl. I was surrounded by fellow student athletes who were all there for the same magical reason, to grant a wish.
Every other year, the Chico State Student Athlete Advisory Committee grants a wish to a local child through the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Davan Jones, a young girl battling severe health complications, was granted her wish of traveling to Disney World to meet her favorite Disney princesses.

Davan Jones receives her present while meeting some of her princesses. Photo credit: Jordan Olesen

Witnessing Davan meet two of her favorite Disney princesses in front of a large crowd of people was an experience I will never forget. Watching her interact with two of her biggest role models and gratefully accepting the gift to travel to Disney World was especially rewarding since I played a role in making it a reality.
As a student athlete, I was honored to take part in such a humbling event. Chico State athletics emphasizes development of its athletes into well-rounded individuals apart from our sport through experiences such as this. Constant reminders that I exist outside of the gym are grounding and much appreciated.
These experiences serve as reminders that we can positively impact others through our words and deeds. Moving through these four years in university athletics keeps us actively participating in public philanthropy and goodwill.

Four-year-old Davan Jones shares her excitement that she will be going to Disney World. Photo credit: Jordan Olesen

Another respectable aspect of Wildcat athletics relates to the notion of family. Walking up and down the halls of Acker Gym on game day is one of the best feelings as an athlete. We are proud to represent each and every person at Chico State.
With this sense of community comes a cycle of participation where the public continues to love and be loved. Davan’s parents, Leanne Jones and Arica Stiliha, are both Chico State alumnae. Leanne Jones played Wildcat softball and was especially grateful to witness the Wildcat family give back through charity benefitting her daughter.
I will never forget the look of joy on Davan’s face when her wish was revealed. I was inspired and grateful for my role in giving this experience to a young girl surrounded by her friends, family and community. We look forward to Davan’s opportunity to continue the Wildcat legacy.

Anna Baytosh
May 5, 2016
Filed under Showcase, Sports
Anna Baytosh can be reached at orionsportseditor@gmail.com or @anna_baytosh on Twitter.

Source: http://theorion.com/56537/sports/tbt-chico-state-athlete-looks-back-on-make-a-wish-event/

MOREHEAD, Ky.—From late April to early May the Morehead State athletic department dedicated its time and efforts to community service.

The student athletes and staff members were involved with several youth clinics, clean-up duties, build-a-bed workshops, awareness walks, working with animal shelters, and visiting with cancer patients.

“I’m proud of all of our student-athletes and staff members for taking time out of their busy end-of-semester schedules to give back to the community,” said Assistant Athletic Director for Student-Athlete Services and Senior Woman Administrator Sara Larson. “This is a great opportunity for our students to get out and interact with community members who are supportive of our athletic programs.”

Listed below are what each program participated in.

Baseball- Youth baseball clinic at Allen Field

Men’s Basketball – NAMI Walk, March of Dimes 5K, Coach Woods Motivational Youth clinic

Women’s Basketball – Rowan County High School after prom chaperones, Soup Kitchen, Goodwill

Football – March of Dimes 5K, STAR Animal Shelter, Clearfield Elementary clinics, Campus Clean.

Men’s Golf – Junior golf clinic at The Greenbrier, Eagle Trace maintenance and clean-up

Women’s Golf – College of Business golf outing at Eagle Trace

Rifle – Build-a-Bed at Peddler’s Mall, Dorm Room Tour Orientation, Rowan County High School after prom chaperones

Soccer – Visiting cancer patients at the Hope Lodge in Lexington, NAMI Walk, Rowan County Animal Shelter

Softball – Youth Clinics and clean-up with Rowan County Parks and Rec

Cross Country & Track – Rowan County High School track meet maintenance

Volleyball – Youth clinics at Rowan County elementary schools

Source: http://www.msueagles.com/news/2016/5/12/general-msu-athletics-lends-a-helping-hands-with-community-service.aspx

On April 28, during spring break, Glen Cove High School’s varsity softball team and girls varsity lacrosse team, along with coaches Samantha Basile, Kim Kessel, Nicole Sileo and Angela Zupa, volunteered their time at the Glen Cove Boys and Girls Club.
The softball team gave instructions on throwing and fielding, then played a game of Wiffle ball with children in grades 3-8, while the lacrosse team provided instruction on throwing and catching in lacrosse, as well as basketball skills. The girls enjoyed seeing the smiles on the children’s faces.
The staff at the club welcomed the Glen Cove athletes and was involved in making this day a great success. The teams would like to extend a big thank-you to Glen Cove Boys and Girls Club Associate Director Desiree O’Neill, who was very helpful in organizing the event. The teams are looking forward to doing it again next year.

Photo Caption: Glen Cove High School softball and girls varsity lacrosse players volunteered their time at the Glen Cove Boys and Girls Club on April 28.

Photo courtesy of the Glen Cove City School District