Presented by Carly Potock & Julie Kuhns Co-Chairs 09-10
Who are we?
A subcommittee of the Student-Athlete Council focused on enhancing the overall student-athlete experience by engaging with the surrounding community. Engagement is accomplished through:
Volunteerism
Connecting athletes with the outside Bethlehem community
Promoting values of success in children
Promoting benefits of succeeding in school as well as athletes
What are goals?
Attract student athletes and increase the number of participants in COACH Program activities
Organize events where student athletes have the opportunity to connect with local youth and serve as positive role models to these children
Create a valuable learning experience for student athletes through volunteer work and community service
Selecting different charities to aid through fundraising activities year after year
Action Plan 2009-2010
Reading Rocks Literacy Program: Partnership with St. Luke’s: Fall 2009 and Spring 2010
A year-long two part program:
The first part includes a school-wide reading competition where incentives are given week to week to the children who read the most books, and a grand prize is awarded to top readers. The grand prize will be a trip to a Lehigh basketball game for the children where they will be accompanied by their parents as well as Lehigh student athletes. The event will be planned in coordination with St. Luke’s.
The second part of the program is an afterschool tutoring session for children who have low reading competency, or are not given enough attention to read at home. Fifty student athletes volunteer each week to read with the children which is followed by “play time” until the program is concluded.
Reading Rocks! Full Description
In early 2009, COACH and St. Luke’s Hospital partnered to implement a reading program at Donegan Elementary School to address the long running issues with low reading levels faced by students entering middle school. The result was Reading Rocks!, a year-long, two part program meant to provide one on one attention for Donegan Elementary students and to give Lehigh student-athletes the opportunity to engage in the community and to act as positive role models for children.
Currently, a school-wide reading competition is in progress at Donegan. Incentives, such as small treats and snacks, are given weekly to the students to reward their hard work and progress. In February, top readers will have the opportunity to attend a Lehigh basketball game accompanied by their parents and Lehigh student-athletes. The event will be planned in coordination with St. Luke’s.
Reading Rocks also includes weekly visits to Donegan by Lehigh student-athletes, who spend their Wednesday afternoons reading with the elementary school students. Fifty Lehigh student-athletes volunteer each week to travel to Donegan and read with fifty children selected by the Donegan Elementary homeroom teachers.
Books have been provided through Book Drives conducted by St. Luke’s Hospital and Lehigh University and through the generous support of other community organizations. Following this reading time is what has been called “the hit of the afternoon” for the kids – time to play sports and games with the Lehigh student-athletes.
Reading Rocks! has seen incredible enthusiasm from both the children at Donegan and Lehigh student-athletes and has plans to continue well into the future.
Breakfast for Bucks (B4B): October 14th, 2009
An event held once a semester to fundraise for a selected charity chosen by student athlete(s). The charity is different each semester, and the most recent B4B gave over $900 to the Juvenile Diabetes Research Foundation and involved over 300 students. The event takes place after hours at Rathbone Hall with an admission of $2. Breakfast items are offered for all Lehigh students, and entertainment is provided to make the event enjoyable. Past entertainment consisted of the Echoes, LU Dance Team, The Melismatics, and the Cheerleading Squad.
Adopt A Family: Athletics Department: December 1st, 2009
A yearly event designed to provide holiday gifts and a special holiday reception to needy families in the local Bethlehem Area. Each sports team “adopts” a family and raises money to provide those individuals with essentials as well special holiday toys. A banquet reception is held in Taylor Gym where the families are invited to meet their team and take home their gifts. The night is made even more special through a delicious dinner, a cappella entertainment, and an appearance by Clutch, all provided by the athletics department.
Statistics from Adopt A Family Event December 2008:
20 families aided
Over $32,000 raised by the Athletics Department
Donations of products/services received from over 20 local Bethlehem businesses
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