Mountain Hawks deliver 300 umbrellas to McKinley Elementary School
10/4/2017 4:40:00 PM | Baseball, Field Hockey, Athletics, Women's Basketball, Women's Lacrosse, Women's Soccer
BETHLEHEM, Pa. - Last Friday, several Lehigh student-athletes visited McKinley Elementary School in Allentown to deliver 300 umbrellas to local youth. In doing so, the Mountain Hawks helped ensure that the students stay dry as they walk to school on rainy days. They also brought with them the message of the importance of going to school. The initiative was coordinated by the Community Outreach by Athletes who Care About Helping with 14 members of the C.O.A.C.H. program making the trip.
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"McKinley Elementary had reached out to C.O.A.C.H. director Roseann Corsi, saying they had a big problem with student attendance on rainy days, because most of their students walk to school," said women's lacrosse junior and member of the C.O.A.C.H. committee Kellie Gough. "C.O.A.C.H. decided to donate 300 umbrellas, so the kids had some shelter on their walk, and a physical reminder that Lehigh Athletics cares about them."
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In hand delivering the umbrellas to the students, the Lehigh student-athletes not only demonstrated a tremendous commitment and care for the local community, but they also brought with them some important messages.
(10/4/2017) Community appearance at McKinley
"We went as a group to each individual classroom and talked about who we were, why we came to McKinley and the importance of getting to school every day. After handing out the umbrellas, we also had a few minutes in each classroom to talk individually with the students," said baseball senior Chris Kersey, who is a C.O.A.C.H. co-captain along with senior Julia Washburn of field hockey and Peter Moore of baseball. "
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"It was an extremely rewarding experience as the students were so excited to receive gifts from us and also tell us all about their favorite sports, teams, hobbies and classes," Kersey continued. "We could tell that the students and teachers appreciated our donation."
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Last Friday marked the first of several community initiative C.O.A.C.H. will be working on in 2017-18.
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"As C.O.A.C.H., our goals have been geared toward helping the surrounding South Bethlehem Community through community outreach," said Kersey. "Our group's specific focus is to help the kids in the area, and to make sure we're creating value and making a positive impact with our work - not only for the people we are helping, but for ourselves as well. We believe very strongly that reciprocity is a large component in the service we do. C.O.A.C.H is always looking for new way to contribute within our community, which is one reason why we saw this opportunity at McKinley as a valuable one."
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Gough, Kersey and the entire C.O.A.C.H. program realize that as student-athletes, they have an opportunity to make a difference. They're looking to take advantage of their platform to help others.
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"As student-athletes, we have a huge advantage in the sense that we have opportunities to get in front of many people," said Gough. "It's important to use our exposure in the best light possible, and help those around us. The Lehigh Athletics Leadership Academy has set its athletes up for success in starting a program like C.O.A.C.H., which utilizes the opportunities we're given to help the right people."
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"I believe it's very important as student-athletes to leverage the influence we have to give back to our community, especially to kids who look up to us," said Kersey. "We have the power of our networks, social media, and Lehigh teams and Engagement groups at our disposal to make a difference - not only on campus, but also for our surrounding community."
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"McKinley Elementary had reached out to C.O.A.C.H. director Roseann Corsi, saying they had a big problem with student attendance on rainy days, because most of their students walk to school," said women's lacrosse junior and member of the C.O.A.C.H. committee Kellie Gough. "C.O.A.C.H. decided to donate 300 umbrellas, so the kids had some shelter on their walk, and a physical reminder that Lehigh Athletics cares about them."
Â
In hand delivering the umbrellas to the students, the Lehigh student-athletes not only demonstrated a tremendous commitment and care for the local community, but they also brought with them some important messages.
"We went as a group to each individual classroom and talked about who we were, why we came to McKinley and the importance of getting to school every day. After handing out the umbrellas, we also had a few minutes in each classroom to talk individually with the students," said baseball senior Chris Kersey, who is a C.O.A.C.H. co-captain along with senior Julia Washburn of field hockey and Peter Moore of baseball. "
Â
"It was an extremely rewarding experience as the students were so excited to receive gifts from us and also tell us all about their favorite sports, teams, hobbies and classes," Kersey continued. "We could tell that the students and teachers appreciated our donation."
Â
Last Friday marked the first of several community initiative C.O.A.C.H. will be working on in 2017-18.
Â
"As C.O.A.C.H., our goals have been geared toward helping the surrounding South Bethlehem Community through community outreach," said Kersey. "Our group's specific focus is to help the kids in the area, and to make sure we're creating value and making a positive impact with our work - not only for the people we are helping, but for ourselves as well. We believe very strongly that reciprocity is a large component in the service we do. C.O.A.C.H is always looking for new way to contribute within our community, which is one reason why we saw this opportunity at McKinley as a valuable one."
Â
Gough, Kersey and the entire C.O.A.C.H. program realize that as student-athletes, they have an opportunity to make a difference. They're looking to take advantage of their platform to help others.
Â
"As student-athletes, we have a huge advantage in the sense that we have opportunities to get in front of many people," said Gough. "It's important to use our exposure in the best light possible, and help those around us. The Lehigh Athletics Leadership Academy has set its athletes up for success in starting a program like C.O.A.C.H., which utilizes the opportunities we're given to help the right people."
Â
"I believe it's very important as student-athletes to leverage the influence we have to give back to our community, especially to kids who look up to us," said Kersey. "We have the power of our networks, social media, and Lehigh teams and Engagement groups at our disposal to make a difference - not only on campus, but also for our surrounding community."
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Players Mentioned
A/M
/ Women's Lacrosse
IF
/ Baseball
LHP
/ Baseball
D
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