MERCY MEN’S LACROSSE COLLECTING TOYS FOR TOTS TONIGHT AND SATURDAY DEC. 21

DOBBS FERRY, N.Y. (Dec. 11, 2013) – Want to bring a smile to a child’s face for the holidays? The Mercy College men’s lacrosse team will be collecting Toys for Tots during basketball games on Wednesday, Dec. 11 and Saturday, Dec. 21 for donation to The Children’s Village in Dobbs Ferry.

The Mavericks will have a table set up in the athletics lobby during both doubleheader basketball dates to collect any toys or money you are able to donate toward this great cause. Just stop by on your way into the Mercy Gymnasium, beginning with tonight’s women’s basketball game versus Salem International University at 6:00 p.m.

HAMDEN, Conn. – Members of the Southern Connecticut State University gymnastics team spent time over the weekend volunteering at a local soup kitchen. The group assisted with meal preparation for the area needy as well as cleanup of the venue.

This event is just one example of many community outreach events that SCSU student-athletes will take part in as part of the Tim Greer Insurance Agency Community Service Cup.

Initiated in September, 2008, the ‘Community Service Cup’ program provides a competitive format that allows student-athletes to gain an enriched experience through engagement with the on-campus and local communities by supporting ventures of traditional citizens, campus community members and peer students and student-athletes. SCSU student-athletes volunteered more than 3,000 hours of their time to numerous outreach efforts, both on-campus and in Greater New Haven, during the 2012-13 academic year.

Source: http://www.southernctowls.com/news/2013/12/10/GEN_1210132605.aspx

RICHMOND, Ky. – Eastern Kentucky University student-athletes volunteered for the Salvation Army last week at Richmond Centre.

The student-athletes volunteered their time by ringing the bell for the Salvation Army outside JC Penney on Wednesday, Dec. 4.

Student-athletes from numerous teams participated in the event.

Clarksville, Ark.-The University of the Ozarks Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) sponsored a campus-wide community service project on Monday, November 25, to assist those in need around the Thanksgiving holiday.
Members of SAAC and student-athletes representing various sports worked to encourage campus-wide participation to assist Clarksville’s First Baptist Church in its Thanksgiving community service project.

Students volunteered from 12-6 on Monday afternoon, helping the church fill bags with boxed and canned food items to ensure everyone in the community had access to traditional Thanksgiving foods such as stuffing, green beans, mashed potatoes, and yams. Some student-athletes then took to the roads and delivered the food to those community members in need.

The efforts of the Eagles and Lady Eagles helped provided a happy Thanksgiving for many local families and exemplified the community-first outlook of Ozarks’ student-athletes.

“Everyone at the church was excited when Ozarks’ students came through the doors,” said SAAC President and Clarksville native Whitney Lewis.

“As student-athletes, we each want to represent Ozarks in the best possible way. We want to get out in the community and let people know that we truly care about giving back and supporting community events. In this event, the lesson of giving rather than receiving truly came alive.”

By Emily Black, Student Assistant for Sports Information

EAST STROUDSBURG — Some student athletes helped make the Christmas holiday a bit brighter for a group of children Thursday.

Athletes from East Stroudsburg University helped students at Head Start in East Stroudsburg get in the Christmas spirit.

Some little faces are all aglow as they listened to one of their special guests of the day: Santa Claus.

Another batch of special guests are athletes at East Stroudsburg University. These Santa’s helpers are spending the morning with kids helping them get in the Christmas spirit while creating memories
Robert Bleiler is a football player at East Stroudsburg University. This is the first time he’s had the opportunity to volunteer before Christmas at Head Start. He was assigned to help a group of aspiring artists make Christmas gifts.
“I didn’t know how to do it, but he just showed me,” said Kaylee Bustamante.

Luckily for Kaylee, Robert was by her side the entire time, helping her with the arts and crafts projects which included foam snowflakes and lots of glue.

“We’re making Christmas ornaments and picture frames for them to give out as presents,” Robert explained.

Another highlight of the day was face painting which those student athletes’ art skills to the test.

“It’s fun. A little girl asked for a red Christmas tree. I’ve never seen a red Christmas tree before,” said ESU senior Nicole Miller.

Nicole is a senior lacrosse player. She traded in her lacrosse stick for a paint brush and took all types of requests from the children. While not all requests were unique, some were more common.

“A snowflake,” said Mackenzie Miller.

Mackenzie enjoyed having the “big kids” around and took a liking to Robert who is studying to be a math teacher.

“(I want) a Barbie house with dolls in it,” Mackenzie said.

“My sisters would love that,” Robert replies.

Source: http://wnep.com/2013/12/05/student-athletes-spreading-christmas-cheer/