CLARKSVILLE, TENN. — Athletes are volunteering their time to become mentors at Burt Elementary.

On Mondays, several football and soccer student-athletes from Austin Peay State University make their way to Burt to spread their knowledge to the school’s fourth- and fifth-graders.

Fourth grade English Language Arts and writing teacher Carrie Rager says it’s a great help to work one-on-one with students, as she is working with a whole group.

“That one-on-one attention is wonderful, because they can really hone in those skills the student needs help with,” said Rager

Principal Diana Hara was excited when Lisa Cannon, wife of APSU head coach Kirby Cannon, approached her about football players volunteering to mentor. They took a look at their students’ needs and decided to let the athletes work one-on-one and in small groups.

“It’s a huge motivator for our fourth- and fifth-graders,” Hara said. “They look forward to Mondays knowing these college athletes are going to be part of their learning in their classroom.”

APSU football player Evan Toby is one of those volunteering his time.

“It’s nice to see the way this program is going, being able to go to Burt School and help in the classrooms – to make a difference in the community,” Toby said.

For APSU soccer player Morgan Zigelsky, Monday was her first time. She worked the room, helping those students who needed help with adjectives.

“I’m really looking forward to coming back,” Zigelsky said.

“It’s a fabulous program,” Hara said. “I see a lot of enthusiasm and joy from learning – not just from the students, but from the adults as well.”

Source: http://www.tennessean.com/article/DA/20131028/NEWS01/310280015
Author: Greg Williamson

Rochester, N.Y. – The Volleyball team recently volunteered their time to paint pumpkins with the residents of the Legacy Retirement Home in nearby Churchville.

This is the fourth year that the program has bought and donated the pumpkins before painting them with the residents.

More than 15 of the residents joined the team and had the chance to have a bit of fun with the younger generation.

“It is great to continue our relationship with Legacy Retirement home,” said coach Kirsten Meyers. ” Many of the residents attended Roberts Wesleyan and love to hear what is happening on campus now. Our team also benefits as we gain perspective on having a outwardly focus in serving others.”

The team plans to return after the season is completed in December to decorate Christmas cookies and again in February to make Valentine’s Day cards.

Provided by the Roberts Wesleyan Sports Information Department.

SOurce: http://www.eccsports.org/sports/wvball/2013-14/releases/102413_rwcvb

East Meadow, N.Y. – On Sunday, the LIU Post women’s lacrosse team stepped away from the field, and participated in the 20th-annual Walk-Along for Lupus at Eisenhower Park in East Meadow, N.Y. The event raised over $200,000, in the hopes of finding a cure for the disease.

“Lupus has affected so many of our families here at LIU Post,” said Head Coach Meghan McNamara. “We want to do everything we can to help support Lupus awareness. It was a great honor to be able to walk on Sunday for the cause.”

Located in Bellmore, N.Y., the Lupus Alliance of Long Island/Queens continuously searches for a cure and cause for Lupus, while helping those with it live better lives while they wait for the cure.

For more information on the Lupus Alliance, or to make a donation, please visit http://lupusliqueens.org/events/20th-anniversary-walk-along-for-lupus/

Provided by the LIU Post Sports Information Department.

Source: http://www.eccsports.org/sports/wlax/2013-14/releases/102213_liupwlax

Rockville Centre, N.Y. – Last Friday, the Molloy College men’s basketball squad hosted 30 members of the Rockaway Beach Special Olympics Team, along with its families. Quealy Gymnasium was broken up into six stations. Each station had two Lions’ student-athletes helping nine players from the Special Olympics team, holding tutorials on either shooting, dribbling or passing. Afterwards, the men’s basketball squad played the Special Olympics team in a 4-on-4 format.

The Lions also treated their guests to a dunk presentation. Afterwards, everyone enjoyed pizza and soft drinks.

“I am very thankful to Joe Featherston for bringing his group to Molloy College from Rockaway,” commented Molloy Head Men’s Basketball Coach Charlie Marquardt. “We are glad to connect with the great spirit that resides in their program. Also, I am very proud of the great interaction our players and coaches displayed that night. We look forward to more events with this group.”

The Molloy men’s basketball team kicks off its 2013-14 season on Saturday, November 9 when the Lions travel to Bridgeport, Conn. to battle Southern Connecticut State University at 6 p.m.

Provided by the Molloy Sports Information Department.

SOurce: http://www.eccsports.org/sports/mbkb/2013-14/releases/102213_molmbb

Aggies CAN is just around the corner and they are asking you to help contribute to a great cause by bringing a canned food to this weekend’s sporting events and help those in the Brazos Valley area.
Fans can bring a canned food item or make a monetary donation at this Friday night’s volleyball match vs Arkansas (6 p.m., Reed Arena) and/or soccer match against Ole Miss (8 p.m., Ellis Field), and by doing so can get in free.

Donate at: Volleyball – Friday, 6pm Soccer – Friday, 8pm Football – Saturday, 8-10:30 am
Donations will also be accepted at multiple points around Kyle Field prior to and at the start of the Texas A&M/Vanderbilt game on Saturday morning.
Aggies CAN began in 2000, when a group of student athletes wanted to give back to the community that had given so much to them. As a result, the student athletes teamed up with Student-Athlete Advisory Committee (SAAC) and began asking fans to bring canned food items to one football game of the season.

And what began as a small group of athletes has evolved into the largest student-athlete run canned food drive in the nation. Aggies CAN is 100 percent run by A&M’s student athletes, with a main goal of giving to the Brazos Valley Food Bank.
In addition, each year SAAC and Aggies CAN present a goal of how much money and cans they want to raise for the event, and every year Aggie fans have never disappointed. This year is expected to be anything but different.

In 2012, the groups raised more than $20,000 and collected more than 6,000 pounds of canned goods. This year, Aggies CAN’s goal is to raise $25,000 and 8,000 pounds of canned goods.
This fall Aggies CAN is teaming up with the Corps of Cadets, who will also be volunteering their time by helping collect cans and other donations along with the athletes.
Janell Lysack ’14, a member of the women’s golf team in her fourth year of being involved with Aggies CAN, explained that this move was another step in the direction of helping continue to bring together athletes and the rest of the campus.

The organization is also partnering with “12th Can”, an on-campus food drive initiative, for the second straight year.
“12th Can was started by John Claybrook, last year’s student body President,” Lysack said. “Basically his vision was being was being able to feed needy Aggies on campus…without asking any questions or having any cost to it, just a come-and-go food bank whenever (the students) needed lunches or dinners. We paired up with 12th Can last year and agreed to helping them start up this food bank on campus.
“12th Can is under the Brazos Valley Food Bank, and so our donations will be helping both, not one or the other. Everyone will benefit from it.”
Donations this year can be made at several Whataburger locations in town. Aggies CAN representatives will be at the Texas Ave. location in Bryan on Wednesday (Oct. 23) from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m., and at the Dominik Drive location in College Station on Thursday (Oct. 24) at the same times.

For every dollar donated or two canned goods, Whataburger will be giving a coupon for a free Whataburger. The first 15,000 people to give a monetary donation of at least $1 or donate two canned good items at soccer, volleyball or football will receive a coupon for a free Whataburger.

Texas A&M student athletes and volunteers will be dressed in lime-green t-shirts, collecting your donations at Whataburger locations and sporting events.
Let’s #BTHOhunger by coming together to help Aggies CAN achieve their goal.

As Aggies CAN says, “A dollar today keeps the Hunger away”.

Source: Kevin O’Connor @ http://wtaw.com/2013/10/22/aggies-can-food-drive/
Short URL: http://wtaw.com/?p=71141