Dec. 2, 2002
Moraga, CA - Several of Saint Mary's College's athletic teams have been setting time aside from their hectic schedules to participate in a number of community enrichment programs. During the 2002 fall semester alone, five athletic teams participated in at least one community service project, volunteering many hours of valuable service to local communities.
The Gaels' softball and lacrosse teams participated in the "Making Strides Against Breast Cancer Walk" in San Francisco. The softball team was able to contribute the services of over 30 people and raise over $500 for the cause. Since 1993, Making Strides has been the American Cancer Society's rallying cry to raise awareness and dollars to fight breast cancer. Last year 350,000 walkers across the country collected more than $26 million. Making Strides pledges are dedicated to life-saving American Cancer Society research, education, patient support and advocacy programs to defeat the disease.
"We really wanted to make a difference," stated women's lacrosse coach Debra Holland. Holland continued, "I think it is really important to give something back to the community and do things other than just play a sport...it was an awesome experience."
Women's lacrosse also played host to over a hundred children from the Leo Center in Oakland. The team helped construct a haunted house for the youths and provided the children with a safe place to go trick-or-treating, as they escorted the children on a door-to-door tour through the College's dormitories. Softball also participated in a second event, as it helped serve food to the homeless at the Glide Memorial Church.
Men's Soccer put on a clinic for over 150 children in the Diablo Youth Soccer League. While using its time with the youth to teach soccer skills, the team also stressed the importance that sports play in the overall scheme of life. "We really tried to teach the children the value that sports play in today's communities," stated head men's soccer coach Steve Rammel.
The women's basketball team traveled to the Cambridge Community Center in Concord, where they helped operate the Cambridge Food Room Program. Run by Shelter Inc., the Food Room Program provides emergency meals to Contra Costa County's homeless families. The Food Room Program is just one of numerous programs run by Shelter Inc., that has served 9,343 individuals, provided 23 families with first time homebuyers assistance, and provided prevention services to 8,882 individuals in Contra Costa County.
"The Food Room Program was an incredible experience...we can't wait to help with another Shelter Inc., program," noted women's basketball volunteer Robin Maes. The Saint Mary's men's basketball program also found a way to give to the community, as it visited a number of schools in the area as part of the "Read to Succeed Program." Through the program, the team provided reading instruction and incentives to local children. The team participated in four reading program activities throughout the month of October alone. In addition to spending time with the students in a classroom setting, the basketball program also invited the students to attend its December 7 match-up against Portland State.
