There is something about the holidays that brings out the giving spirit in people, and the same can be said for our athletic programs. As widely visible members of the community, athletic departments have, in my opinion, a responsibility to not only set an example for their fans, but to provide positive experiences for the young people who pass through their facilities.
While few of these programs are unique, especially compared to the ideas we mentioned previously, each of them can be worthwhile.
And keep in mind, giving back is most popular this time of year, evident by the wait lists for volunteering opportunities with some organizations, but that doesn’t mean we should limit ourselves to the holiday season. Booking your visits and events months in advance and during times other people don’t traditionally think about charity is a great way to not only raise the profile of the program you are serving, but it fills in the gaps for organizations that spend much of their year begging for help.
Here are just a few volunteer opportunities for you to consider getting your program involved with.
Give Warmth
Coats for Kids and similar programs are vital to survival in many communities, and there is no better place to set up a collection point than at the gate of a popular sporting event. While offering fans discounts on tickets or concessions for their donation is a great way to increase giving, it’s not at all a requirement. The most important part of this and any similar donation drive is advanced notice. College athletic programs have enormous and ever present reach through social media. Use that reach to let people know that when they come to cheer on their team, they can give back.
But in the spirit of sports, you should always finish the drill. If at all possible, work with the organization receiving the donation to have your student athletes participate in distribution or even sorting. I promise they will be moved by what they see and experience.
Give Time
While time for a college athlete may not be the most plentiful resource, even small chunks of it can leave a lasting impression. In every city and town there are charitable organizations that just need people to fill a role. If those people happen to be strong and well known, even better. Whether it is serving at a soup kitchen or delivering meals to the bedridden, there is always work to be done.
Give Attention
Visiting children’s hospitals is one of the most common and commonly publicized type of volunteering, and for good reason. It’s impactful, both for the patients and the players. We’ve all seen the pictures and stories and even videos of the fun that is had and bonds that are created. From an Ohio State star taking no mercy playing video games at children’s hospitals, to and Alabama quarterback wearing a bracelet for a young girl he previously didn’t even know.
But ill children aren’t the only ones who need a pick me up. (Think of these suggestions as an addition and not an alternative. The kids should always come first.) According to Senior Source, nearly 50% of seniors in nursing homes don’t see a single visitor all year. That makes for a lonely existence, but one that could be immeasurably brightened by an energetic group of young people who represent a program many of the seniors would have spent a lifetime watching.
Give Hope
1.7 million children in this country have a parent incarcerated. For many, this leads to a childhood filled with guilt, neglect, and fear. While parents can’t be replaced, role models can. By volunteering your team to work with an organization like Foreverfamily, you can expose disadvantaged children to positive role models who in some cases share their experience. Where as some children looking for a sense of belonging might turn to gangs, experiences like meeting college athletes may sway them to both look at sports and consider the possibility of college when it was previously an afterthought.
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