LYNBROOK, N.Y. (Dec. 5, 2013) – Despite being in the middle of their season, the LIU Post women’s basketball called a timeout on Nov. 30 to help members of the military who are recuperating from injuries suffered while serving overseas in Iraq and Afghanistan.

In total, 15 players volunteered two hours of their time to write letters, Christmas cards and prepare holiday gifts in support of the Nassau County Fire Fighter’s Operation Wounded Warrior Program in Lynbrook, N.Y.

Coach Moore added, “We believe in [being] ‘here for those who are there for us.'”

For more information on the Nassau County Fire Fighter’s Operation Wounded Warrior, check out their Facebook page.

SALISBURY, MD—Salisbury University students, faculty and staff are preparing for the holidays with projects that benefit the whole community. The following is a sampling:

TOURNAMENT OF TREES: The Guerrieri University Center hosts its 10th annual Tournament of Trees in December. More than 20 SU organizations decorate three-foot, pre-lit Christmas trees for a chance to win prizes. The trees are displayed in the center’s Fireside Lounge from December 4-11 before being given to residents served by local charities.

SHORECORPS/PALS COLLECTION: ShoreCorps/PALS (Partnership for Adolescents on the Lower Shore), the AmeriCorps program at SU, is collecting toys throughout the Salisbury area to be distributed to local families in need by the Salvation Army through Saturday, December 14.

BACKPACK PROGRAM: The Student Affairs Division collects non-perishable, easy-to-open foods such as peanut butter, granola bars and fruit cups to benefit Beaver Run Elementary School’s Backpack Program from Monday-Thursday, December 2-19. Twice each month, the Maryland Food Bank fills some 40 backpacks with these items and sends them home with eligible Beaver Run students to help supplement their meals. Collection boxes are located at the Information Desk of the Guerrieri University Center and Sea Gull Square Housing Office.

TYPHOON RECOVERY: SU’s Filipino American Cultural Association is teaming with other student organizations through Thursday, December 5, to collect money to benefit UNICEF’s typhoon recovery efforts in the Philippines. SU’s chapter of the American Meteorological Society also hosts a bake and T-shirt sale to raise money for recovery efforts 11 a.m.-3 p.m. Wednesday, December 4, in Henson Science Hall.

ANIMAL SUPPLY DRIVE: Blackwell Library reminds the community that people are not the only beings who are homeless and hungry during its annual donation drive to benefit animal shelters in Dorchester, Worcester and Somerset counties. The drive runs through Friday, December 13. A list of needed items, such as dog and cat food, and collection boxes are located near the library’s circulation desk.

KETTLE CAMPAIGN: The Salisbury Pops collects donations for the Salvation Army’s Kettle Campaign during its annual Holiday Concert 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, December 3, in Holloway Hall Auditorium.
CHRISTMAS WITH THE JAYCEES: Through the SU Volunteer Center, students have signed up to chaperone children in need when they purchase gifts for loved ones and themselves during the Salisbury Jaycees’ annual Children’s Christmas Shopping Tour and to assist with the organization’s 67th annual Salisbury Christmas Parade, scheduled Sunday, December 8.

TOYS FOR TOTS: Participants in the SU Intramural Office’s 31st annual Turkey Trot 5K Fun Run and Holiday Basketball Tournament were asked to bring in a toy or make a $5 donation to Toys For Tots. The Perdue School of Business also is collecting items for Toys For Tots through Friday, December 13.

OPERATION WE CARE: Members of the SU chapter of the Alpha Phi Omega service fraternity hosted a drive at Walmart to collect items for Operation We Care, which sends care packages to U.S. military personnel serving overseas. They also assisted in packing over 800 boxes sent to troops in November.

COCOA FOR A CAUSE: The Honors Student Association raised money for Reach Out and Read, a non-profit organization dedicated to promiting literacy through health care providers, during a hot cocoa and bake sale. The association also collected items for Giving Back – Linda’s Legacy, a local organization that distributes backpacks with clothing and supplies to local homeless individuals for the holidays.

THANKS-4-GIVING: SU’s TRiO-ACHiEVE Student Support Services program collected toys, clothes, toiletries and non-perishable food in November to supply care packages for local individuals in need through its Thanks-4-Giving initiative.

FOOD FOR THOUGHT: SU’s athletic trainers and student athletic trainers collected canned and non-perishable food throughout November to benefit the Joseph House shelter. The tradition, dating back more than a decade, has supplied more than 1,500 pounds of food for the homeless and less fortunate since its inception.

YELLOW RIBBON FUND: Students in Dr. Chrys Egan’s Family Communications class collected gift cards, stuffed animals, art supplies, toys, video games and other requested items for the Yellow Ribbon Fund, supporting injured soldiers and their families. The organization primarily offers support for troops undergoing medical rehabilitation at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center and Fort Belvoir Community Hospital.

I LOVE SALISBURY: Some 500 students partnered with community neighbors to pick up litter, rake leaves, sweep and perform other tasks during the Student Government Association’s sixth annual “I Love Salisbury” cleanup event in November.

SEMESTER OF GIVING: Students in Paula Morris’ promotions classes have spent the semester organizing and hosting fundraisers for area non-profit organizations, including the Village of Hope, Delmarva Education Foundation, Kids of Honor mentoring program, Women Supporting Women cancer support program, Salisbury Zoological Society and Stop the Violence Wicomico County.

For information on these and other holiday philanthropic programs at SU call 410-543-6030. For updates, visit the SU Web site at www.salisbury.edu.

NEW HYDE PARK, N.Y. (Dec. 2, 2013) – Last week, the LIU Post women’s lacrosse team spent its Thanksgiving holiday break making meals, and spreading word about the game it loves.

The Pioneers volunteered on Nov. 24 at the Ronald McDonald House, where they brought supplies and cooked a dinner for the families of ill children undergoing critical medical treatment in area hospitals.

“It is so meaningful for our team to reach out to the community, and give back in any way we can,” stated Head Coach Meghan McNamara. “Our girls truly enjoyed devoting their time at the Ronald McDonald House, and are looking forward to going back as soon as possible.”

Then, on Nov. 29, the team donated jerseys, kilts and other uniform paraphernalia to Fields of Growth. The organization, in support of Uganda lacrosse, aims to harness the passion of the lacrosse community into positive social impact through global leadership development, service, and growing the game.

“It is truly amazing to see how rapidly the game is growing,” McNamara said. “To be able to contribute by donating to Fields of Growth is a wonderful feeling…This is an exciting time in the lacrosse world.”

LIU Post opens its 2014 season at home on Mar. 1 versus Bloomsburg. The opening draw from Hickox Field is set for 2 p.m

Rockville Center, N.Y. – As the men’s and women’s basketball teams are preparing for their upcoming season they also understand the importance of making time to do community service. On Saturday, October 19, both teams spent the day working with members of the Rockville Center youth Basketball league.

The outdoor clinic, held at the John Friederman Basketball Courts at Mill River Park, featured the Rockville Center Freshmen Division which is comprised of youth athletes from third grade. The Panthers helped throughout the day with the basic fundamentals of basektball such as dribbling, passing and layups as well as one-on-one instruction. There were nearly 60 kids in attendance on the day and they were all able to interact with the men’s and women’s players who donated their time to teach the game.

“We are thrilled to build this relationship with a local basketball organization that has been around for decades,” stated Head Women’s Basketball Coach, Heather Jacobs. “The services that the RVC Basketball League provides for local youth is tremendous.”

“It was great to be able to go into the Rockville Centre community and give back to the sport we all love,” remarked Head Men’s Basketball Coach, Dom Savino. “They have a great basketball culture over there and I believe this is the start of a lasting relationship we can build on.”

Rockville Centre, N.Y. – Throughout the month of November, the Molloy College softball team collected non-perishable foods and goods for Thanksgiving for the Pederson-Krag Center, which provides affordable mental health services for individuals in the community unable to afford private care.

“This was an exciting event to be part of because it was initiated by a former softball student-athlete we had competed against in years past,” said Molloy Director of Athletics and Head Softball Coach Susan Cassidy-Lyke. “The team knew her and wanted to support her in any way they could.”

Pederson-Krag has centers in Huntington, Smithtown, Wyandanch, Coram, Setauket and Dix Hills.

About The Pederson-Krag Center:
The Pederson-Krag Center was founded in 1957 by Dr. Geraldine Pederson-Krag, a well-known and respected psychiatrist residing and practicing in Suffolk County. Dr. Pederson-Krag having identified a serious need within the community met with a group of her colleagues to discuss the issue of providing affordable quality services for people with mental health problems who were unable to afford private care. As the clinic grew, it necessitated several moves to different sites to accommodate the expansion. We currently have six facilities throughout Suffolk County and provide a full continuum of care to approximately 4,500 individuals currently enrolled in one or more of our twenty-six programs.

Mission Statement:
To offer a continuum of out-patient, community and school based mental health and addiction recovery services; and to provide quality services to children, adults and families in a manner that fosters dignity and respect and empowers individuals to become full participants in their own recovery and independent members of the community.

To visit the Pederson-Krag Center’s website, please click here: http://www.pederson-krag.org/.

Provided by the Molloy Sports Information Department.