FORT WAYNE, Ind. (NBC33) — Some local athletes are taking on the challenge: the #810Challenge.

The IPFW Women’s Volleyball team is nearing the end of a water bottle collection for Flint, Michigan that started on March 30th and runs until Saturday.

Flint is in the midst of a water crisis, where all usable water is contaminated with lead.

The team named the project “810 Challenge” as it is Flint’s area code.

Leaders of the volleyball players say the athletes were excited to pull together for a community in need.

“This [collection] gave them an opportunity, especially our student athletes, to give back to a city so that they can cook, bathe, and just do the day to day things that we do every single day that they’re unable to do,” says Assistant Coach Jasmine Fullove.

The goal for the challenge was to collect 186 cases of water. As of Friday afternoon, the team was at only 100 cases.

Cases will be accepted at the Gates Athletic Center at IPFW until 5PM Saturday.

The team will make the trip up to Flint to deliver all the water on April 19th.

Source: http://www.21alive.com/news/local/Water-bottle-collection-for-Flint-held-by-local-athletes-ends-Saturday-375924141.html

In collaboration with the NYPD, the Queens College women’s basketball team attended PS 184 in the Brownsville section of Brooklyn to assist the school with their literacy campaign. The team read books to students ranging from Pre-K to 5th grade, and signed autographs.

Senior guard Amber Harrison: “I had an incredible time. I had the pleasure to meet with so many inspirational and bright young students. This was truly an unforgettable experience.”

Freshman guard Kaitlyn Mahon: “It was really great to see how much it meant to the kids to have us come and spend time with them. I was so happy to be able to share this experience with my teammates.”

Head coach Bet Naumovski: “I’m not sure who had more fun today – the team or the students of PS 184. The school’s teachers and administrators are so passionate about making an impact in their community and their care shines brightly in their students. I’m very happy to have engaged in this experience and hope that it is an ongoing collaboration.”

To learn more please visit: http://www.queensknights.com/sports/wbkb/2015-16/releases/20160205oxgg2a

The Queens College lacrosse team spent the last two weeks volunteering at Materials for the Arts in Long Island City. The players spent time organizing and sorting through the various donated matierials in the MFTA warehouse.

Materials for the Arts is New York’s premiere reuse center, providing a way for companies and individuals to donate unneeded supplies to thousands of nonprofit organizations with arts programming and public schools.

The program offers a wide variety of events, workshops, and classes to help people see and experience creative reuse up close.

To learn more please visit: http://www.queensknights.com/community/lax_mfta

On Wednesday, April 6, the Queens College volleyball team participated in the Midnight Run event. The team helped distribute food and clothes to about 50 persons who are homeless at four different stops in Manhattan.

It was a great experience for the team as it was their first time taking part in such an event. The Knights look forward to teaming up with Midnight Run again in the future.

To learn more please visit: http://www.queensknights.com/sports/wvball/2015-16/releases/20160409duhi0u

Copiague Middle School students demonstrated their commitment toward leading a heart-healthy lifestyle when they participated in the school’s annual “Hoops for Heart” event.
Hoops for Heart is a national fundraising program sponsored jointly by the Society of Health and Physical Educators of America and the American Heart Association. Through the program, students raise funds for the AHA while participating in activities that promote physical fitness.

During their physical education classes, students hit the courts to practice their dribbling and shooting skills as well as completed a basketball-themed obstacle course. To signify their participation, they wrote their name on a dog sticker and placed it on the bulletin board titled “The Heart Healthy Pack.” The goal of the event was to increase awareness about heart disease and related illnesses, as well as raise money for research, prevention and education programs.

Through their collective efforts, the students raised nearly $5,000 for the American Heart Association.

Photo Caption: Copiague Middle School students participated in the school’s Hoops for Heart fundraiser event with all proceeds going to the American Heart Association.

Photo courtesy of the Copiague Public School District