TicketsSept. 11, 2008
By Mary Archambeault
CINCINNATI - The University of Cincinnati and its student-athletes teamed up with the Assistance League of Cincinnati for the second year in a row in an effort to give back to the community. This week, UC student-athletes participated with the Assistance League's Cincinnati chapter in Operation School Bell, a program that clothes 1,500 kids from 23 local schools with school clothes.
The Assistance League is a nonprofit organization with over 24,000 members in more than 119 chapters nationwide that helps people in all walks of life. Some of the things they do include preparing trauma kits for rape victims, providing scholarships for young mothers attending college, distributing starter kits for foster children who turn 18 and are forced out of foster homes, and holding substance abuse prevention programs for the youth.
The collaboration started last year with the golf team, and continued this year but with more athletes and more sports involved. Men and women's golf, men's soccer, volleyball, track and field, cross country, and football have all volunteered their time.
"It feels good to give back," said men's soccer freshman midfielder Nate Robinson, who visited the Assistance League's headquarters on Wednesday, Sept. 10.
Robinson helped fit the kids for brand new shoes with teammate, freshman goalkeeper Joey Barnard. They realize they live much more privileged lives than most, and it's a humbling feeling to give back.
There was plenty of fun to be had as well, as the athletes spent the morning coloring pictures, signing autographs, watching movies, and talking with the children on a variety of topics. It may come as no surprise that the most common area of discussion was sports, as the kids were thrilled to be amongst a group of collegiate athletes.
"It's a joy to see the faces on these kids. It really warms your heart," said president and co-founder of the Assistance League's Cincinnati chapter, Jan Stahl.
Shintara Carpenter is the Life Skills Coordinator for the UC Department of Athletics. Carpenter, a 2007 UC graduate and former track star for the Bearcats, spent the morning overseeing the good that was being done, and even got involved in some arm wrestling competitions with the kids.
"There's nothing like seeing the together piece of CATAPULT come to life. Having our student-athletes support the schools in our community really shows others how serious we are about our mission," said Carpenter.
CATAPULT is an action plan for University of Cincinnati Athletics installed by Director of Athletics Mike Thomas. Its focus is about winning BIG EAST team championships, high-level academic achievement, and a comprehensive integration with the Greater Cincinnati Community.
The chair of Operation School Bell, Jeanne Waggoner, was extremely thankful for the time the athletes shared with the children. She stressed the importance of the interactions, because it gives the kids one-on-one time with an adult that they don't necessarily get otherwise.
"It makes them feel really good," said Waggoner.
The Cincinnati chapter headquarters, which is home for all the programs the organization runs, is lacking in ample space. Phyllis Dix is the vice president of resource development for the Assistance League, and is hoping by getting UC and others involved the program can gain some publicity and further its funding to help find a larger location.
In the 10 years the chapter has been in existence, it has produced over a million dollars, returning 85% of that directly into the community.
Although the volunteer work ends this week for the athletes, everyone involved will have a chance to reunite on Oct. 1. On that date, the Assistance League and the children will show their appreciation by throwing a cookie and juice social for the student-athletes who participated.