New York – Coach Alan Nagel and the Queens College women’s tennis team volunteered at the 100th year of service HeartShare premiere event, the 2014 Spring Gala and Auction. The auction was held at the Marriott Marquis overlooking Times Square, in Manhattan. This is the third year that we were invited back to participate in this worthy event.

The gala raises close to $1 million a year to promote self-sufficiency and responsibility through services to almost 29,000 families throughout the five boroughs. Services include: evaluation services, early childhood centers, residential services, adult day services, foster care and adoption services, family services and youth programs.

The team assisted in the auction process by serving as presenters of the auction items, explaining the auction process to the potential bidders, acting as runners by running out to each winners’ table and handing out winner slips explaining how to pick up their items and where to pay. This was very demanding because of the amount of winners and the very short window available for pickup and payment.

After running, we assisted at the pick up area by locating the item and distributing to the winning bidder. The tennis team left the college at 4:00 PM and didn’t return until midnight.

Source: http://queensknights.com/sports/wten/2013-14/releases/wtenheartshare

Three weeks of hard work paid off Monday when a local high school senior got to give back to her community.

Jacey Kinnaird, a 17-year-old senior from Southside High School, has been collecting gently used sporting goods for weeks, in hopes of donating them to local athletes in need.

Disparities among school-age athletes initially sparked Kinnaird’s interest.

“I had run track and played soccer for a couple of years, and in doing so, I noticed that some kids had holes in their sneakers,” Kinnaird said. “I was thinking this problem can’t just be for certain individuals, it has to be from a larger group.”

Later, at an Ernie Davis Scholarship informational session, Kinnaird found an outlet for her philanthropic idea.

“I thought, ‘What better way to spread Ernie Davis’ message than to incorporate something he loved: athletics?’” Kinnaird said.

Kinnaird began collecting sporting goods and athletic clothing from local high schools and community organizations, even making her own website to publicize the need for goods and the upcoming giveaway.

“We got hundreds of visits on that website and we put bins outside of Southside and EFA; I put a collection bin at church, and Notre Dame participated,” Kinnaird said.

As Kinnaird placed the sporting goods on the table at the Ernie Davis Community Center in Elmira, the scene of the giveaway, her mother, Paige Kinnaird, sat folding Ernie Davis informational booklets. Each athlete who came to Monday’s giveaway received a booklet.

“I think it’s a wonderful project,” she said. “Not just for the project she’s applying for, but just to help people in the community. There are so many kids that can really benefit from this.”

Kinnaird will use her giveaway project to apply for the Ernie Davis Scholarship through the Community Foundation of the Southern Tier. Open to all local high school seniors, the scholarship focuses on raising awareness about Ernie Davis and his life, and awards one student $12,000 for college.

For Kinnaird, the scholarship isn’t the only reason to give back.

“There was a deeper inspiration,” Kinnaird said. “I remember when I started running track I hard low self-esteem and confidence and it really helped me do so much more than be able to run a 6:20 mile.”

Kinnaird says sports can help students grow not only as athletes, but also as people.

“I was thinking of all of my friends who might not be economically stable that have missed out on that personal growth offered through athletics,” Kinnaird said. “I just really wish that was available to more people.”

Read more: http://www.the-leader.com/article/20140331/News/140339916#ixzz2xehosh3e

Students from the CREC Two Rivers Magnet Middle School girls’ basketball team spent Sunday, March 2 volunteering at the Winter Special Olympics at the Simsbury International Skating Center of Connecticut. The Special Olympics athletes were competing in figure skating and speed skating the day of the event.

The mission of Special Olympics is to provide year-round sports training and athletic competition in a variety of Olympic-type sports for children and adults with intellectual disabilities, giving them continuing opportunities to develop physical fitness, demonstrate courage, experience joy and participate in a sharing of gifts, skills and friendship with their families, other Special Olympics athletes and the community. The CREC Two Rivers volunteers assisted with arts and crafts, lunch service, and took part in the cheer squad. The student-athletes also had the opportunity to meet with several Special Olympics athletes and hear about their athletic successes.

The middle school athletics program at the CREC Two Rivers Magnet School, in addition to four other CREC middle schools, was started just last year. The program was carefully designed to be an extension of the district’s academic programming, including using athletics as an avenue to get CREC students more involved in the community. “Special Olympics would not exist today – and could not have been created – without the time, energy, commitment and enthusiasm of its diverse volunteers,” explains the Special Olympics Connecticut website.

“It was an extremely fun day for all that took part,” said Middle School Girls’ Basketball Coach, John Stinchon. The students told Stinchon that they enjoyed the opportunity so much, they hope to participate again in future Special Olympics events. Participating students reside in many surrounding towns, including East Hartford, Glastonbury, Bloomfield, Hartford, South Windsor, Wethersfield, and Manchester.

Source: http://articles.courant.com/2014-03-31/community/hcrs-87325-east-hartford-20140331_1_crec-students-magnet-middle-school-winter-special-olympics

WANTAGH, N.Y. (Mar. 29, 2014) – Members of the LIU Post field hockey team took the Polar Plunge into the cold water at Tobay Beach in Wantagh, N.Y. on Saturday. The Pioneers raised nearly $1,000 in a week to help fund the Special Olympics.

“We’re so proud to have formed a great partnership with the Special Olympics,” said Head Coach Raenee Savin (Nesconset, N.Y.). “Last weekend, many of the girls got certified as SO coaches. This week, we raised close to $1,000, which will go directly towards sending athletes with special needs to the state games.”

Savin later added: “During our season, we will be running a fundraiser at a home game and have the Olympians participate in halftime activities. Then, in February, we will be hosting a send-off party for members of the floor hockey team going to the winter games. By working so closely with the Special Olympics, it gives us a greater appreciation for being able to play the sport we love without having to face the adversity these brave athletes contend with on a daily basis.”

Proceeds from the event helped fund athletes of the Special Olympics in New York. For more information, click here.

Flushing, N.Y. – The Queens College baseball team dodged cold weather and a busy schedule last week to take a day to volunteer at the Queens Botanical Garden.

Members of the baseball team helped clean up old, dead shrubs and bushes throughout the park. They then went around and helped staff members with planting new flowers and sowing new seeds in anticipation of the Garden’s opening to the public later in the spring.

Sophomore pitcher, John Dondero, reflected on the event: “To help prep a place that gives city folks some fresh air and flowers is nice. I know it will give them a welcomed respite. It’s rewarding to help out the Queens community.”

The QC baseball team returns to action on Wednesday, March 26, when they face Dominican on the road.

Source: http://www.queensknights.com/sports/bsb/2013-14/releases/bsballqueensbotanic