November 18, 2006 - Women's Cross Country Volunteers at the Feed the Hungry Program in Trenton
November 18, 2006
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Community Service
Rider Baseball and Women’s Cross Country Volunteer at the
Feed the Hungry Program at St. Mary’s Cathedral in Trenton
TRENTON—Hey, you want to go get something to eat? One of the most common phrases on any college campus and at Rider University. Yet far too often, we don’t stop and think about those who don’t have a place to get something to eat or the means to buy a hot meal on a cold winter night. As part of the MAAC Gives Back and the Rider Athletics Partners in a Caring Community program, the baseball team and the women’s cross country team volunteered this past Saturday, serving food to the needy in Trenton, spending the day giving those in need a hot meal and some hope for the future.
“Volunteering makes you appreciate more of the things that you have,” said junior pitcher Will O’Connor (Cinnaminson, N.J./Cinnaminson). “Speaking with some of the people here that we are feeding, you feel bad about some of their situations and want to help them in any way you can. Yes it puts our name out there in a good light but it is more important that we are helping those who are less fortunate, especially during the time of Thanksgiving.”
“It is less stress for us when you know a group is coming back year after year,” said B.A. Cagney, who has been involved with the Loaves and Fishes program at St. Mary’s Cathedral for over 25 years. “Rider baseball has been involved for over 13 years and along with the Rider community has been a major part of this program. My favorite memory is seeing the baseball team come in, all wearing their red [cranberry] baseball shirts, looking like a team and working like a team and that is comforting to those who we are helping because it makes them feel like they are part of something. The presence and personality of the team is very reassuring to the people we are serving the meal to. It makes it a family that arrives to help another family, in the true spirit of Thanksgiving.”
In addition to the Feed the Hungry Program, the 20 varsity teams, under the direction of Associate Athletic Director Karin Torchia also collect food for Thanksgiving baskets and collects donations for the Toys for Tots Program.
“It’s great for our players to be able to come out and continue this tradition,” said assistant coach Jim Carone who is in his first season at Rider. “It makes our team realize how lucky they are to be in college and playing Division I athletics. To see what some of the people are going through really makes you appreciate what you have and makes you want to help someone else. Our guys are glad that they are able to come out each year and help this great cause, especially around Thanksgiving. Everyone is involved and wants to be here helping out those who are less fortunate.”
“The players on the baseball team really seem to be touched with the one on one contact,” Cagney added. “They see the impact of what they are doing. It isn’t just putting food on a plate it’s serving the need of self and even if it is only for an hour or two, they are making a difference in what they are doing.”
“As student-athletes on the Division I level, we are blessed with an academic and athletic background,” said cross country coach Bob Hamer. “For us to give back to those who may not be as fortunate as us is something that I value personally and is a very important part of what we are teaching here at Rider. What we do isn’t just about athletics, it isn’t just about the academics, it is about exposing our student-athletes to the world around them and instilling in them the values of service and caring about the community around Rider University.”
The Rider University participation is coordinated by Rev. Nancy Schluter, Protestant Chaplain of the Campus Ministry with Helen Carroll (Executive Assistant in Rider’s Finance Division), Christine De Frehn (Academic Coordinator, School of Continuing Studies), Patricia Lutz (Executive Assistant, Academic Affairs), Karen Crowell (Assistant Dean, Continuing Studies) and Patricia Witkowski (Staff Assistant, University Advancement) also coordinating the campus wide effort.
“It makes me feel good to participate in a program to help those who are less fortunate,” said Garrett Rugg (Langhorne, Pa./Neshaminy), a freshman infielder on the baseball team. “It shows that athletes in general and especially the athletes at Rider do care about the community around them and helps us to not think so much about ourselves but of others around us who are in need.”
Prepared and donated by ARAMARK Food Services, today’s effort provided over 500 meals to the Trenton area homeless.
“Anytime but especially Thanksgiving is an important time to give back to the community,” said sophomore Rebecca Riedel (Milton, Del./Cape Henlopen) of the women’s cross country team. Seeing the struggles that some of the people are going through, it truly makes you thankful for what you have. It’s important to give back to those that aren’t as fortunate.”
“Especially around Thanksgiving, today takes on an added importance,” Hamer said. “We sometimes forget those around us and the meaning of the holidays is to not only give thanks but to also help others in need and if our efforts today helped even one family and brightened their day, then we were successful in this endeavor. We challenge our athletes to become involved in a wide variety of campus activities and I am very proud of our runners for doing the Thanksgiving basket food drive and I am proud of Jennifer [Lee], Patrice [Mahoney] and Rebecca [Riedel] for their participation today.”
“It’s important to give back to those less fortunate,” said sophomore cross country runner Patrice Mahoney (Staten Island, N.Y./Port Richmond). “It makes you feel good but you also see how important your efforts are in the lives of the people you are helping. Our efforts make it more like a family atmosphere for everyone today and hopefully it will help brighten their time around Thanksgiving.”
“Today was a humbling experience,” said sophomore pitcher Mike DiPietropolo (Pilesgrove, N.J./Woodstown). “You can tell that they really appreciate your effort helping them and it’s good to give back to the community around Rider. It shows what Rider University and Rider Athletics is all about. The food is important but also if we put a smile on someone’s face, that’s just as important as well.”
Giving thanks by giving back to the community. That is the true meaning of Thanksgiving.
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